Introduction

Climate change is currently affecting many things, but what has it already affected on Earth? My isearch topic is climate change. The definition of climate change is when greenhouse gas emissions from things like factories, cars, and burning fossil fuels get trapped in the atmosphere of Earth and then radiate more heat than normal back onto Earth. Climate change has caused things like temperature change, affected animals, and the Arctic. ​

Temperature

One of the many things climate change has affected is the world’s climate or temperatures. For example, the rainfall in many areas has been affected. Like how the Southwest US seems to be becoming a more dry environment. Also, many temperatures around the world have changed. For example, the ocean temperatures, soil temperatures, melting glaciers have all been caused by climate change from greenhouse gases. Last, the climates themselves have changed. So in the Southeast US has had more droughts and floods. All in all, Climate change has affected things like rainfall, temperatures, and climates (Global Warming is Happening Now).

The Arctic

Additionally, climate change has majorly affected the Arctic and the species that live there. For example, climate change has affected the amount of ice in the Arctic. So, a satellite found over the past 30 years ice cover in the Arctic has declined by 30%. Additionally, food change in the Arctic are being affected by climate change too. Such as the food web for polar bears. Declines in sea the abundance of ice algae, which thrive in pockets in the ice, algae are eaten by zooplankton, which are eaten by Arctic cod, a food source for seals, and seals are eaten by polar bears. So declines in ice algae can contribute to declines in polar bears. Last, climate change is affecting the Arctic’s natural role in the world. One role the Arctic plays is that the arctic reflects sun into space which slows climate change. To sum things up, climate change is really changing the Arctic in many ways; and most of them aren’t good changes (National Snow & Ice Data Center).

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Ecosystems

Another thing climate change has affected is animal ecosystems. One example is migration patterns for some specie. For example, since the 1800’s the first flowering dates for 43 species have moved forward by 10 days. Some species have disappeared, including 15 species of orchids. Also, some breeding seasons of animals have changed too. Like how animal shelters reported a higher number of stray cats and kittens because of longer breeding seasons for cats. Last, some animals habitats have changed. Like how polar bear cubs are struggling to swim because they ice is melting and destroying solid ice so it’s harder to find solid ice. All in all, climate change from greenhouse gases has affected many ecosystems and animals habitats, breeding seasons, and migration patterns (8 Ways Global Warming Is Already Changing The world).
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Summary

Climate change is affecting the Arctic, animals, ecosystems, and much more. Temperatures are changing in many places. Also many species are confused by the warmer temperatures and are starting to migrate earlier. Last, warmer temperatures are changing the temperatures and amount of ice in the Arctic. All in all, climate change has affected many places and animals throughout the world. ​

Works Cited

"Climate Science Glossary." Skeptical Science. Skeptical Science, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2016. <http://www.skepticalscience.com/global-warming-stopped-in-1998-intermediate.htm>.

"Global Warming Is Happening Now - National Wildlife Federation." Global Warming Is Happening Now - National Wildlife Federation. National Wildlife Federation, n.d. Web.19 Apr. 2016. <https://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Threats-to-Wildlife/Global-Warming/Global-Warming-is-Happening-Now.aspx>.
Pappas, By Stephanie.

"8 Ways Global Warming Is Already Changing the World." LiveScience. TechMediaNetwork, 07 Sept. 2012. Web. 18 Apr. 2016. <http://www.livescience.com/23026-global-warming-changing-world.html>.

​"National Snow and Ice Data Center." All About Arctic Climatology and Meteorology. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2016. <https://nsidc.org/cryosphere/arctic-meteorology/climate_change.html>.