Question 1
The ever growing rise in global temperatures is a threatening characteristic to the entire universe. The information about past global climatic condition can be used to establish information about the effect of climate change, carbon dioxide variation and effect of the earth biosphere on world's climate. Several discoveries in the Arctic and Antarctic region have shed light on the drastic climatic change that has occurred in these areas.
The Antarctic region has experienced severe climatic change over time. Recent discoveries in drill cores obtained from Antarctica's sea floor have indicated a warming phase in the climate around 52 million years ago. The climate during these times favored the growth of palm trees and Baobab trees. The results from this discovery indicate the great contrast between modern and past climatic conditions in the Antarctic region. This change is attributed to the extent of global warmth as a result of an increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Antarctic was also characterized by tropical and subtropical rain forest 52million years ago; this climate favored the growth of palm trees and baobab in the region. Currently, the Antarctic is covered with an ice sheet, and there is the disappearance of both the palm and baobab trees. Study of core samples drilled from ocean bed indicated that the global temperatures rose to about 7 degrees Celsius in a short geological period of about 10000years. This increase in temperature is attributed to high carbon dioxide emissions which were experienced 55 million years ago. Peter Barret a geologist in Antarctica recently discovered an amphibian jaw in the region. This animal can only survive in a warm, damp environment indicating a climatic change in the area.
Fossils excavated in Siberian Island indicate the vegetation and climatic conditions in the Arctic. Fossils of mammoths, Rhinos, Musk, ox, antelope, bear; horse recovered from the Arctic region indicates the need of a forest to sustain these animals. Discoveries in the Alaska region such as duck-billed dinosaurs, turtles, herbaceous vegetation and broad-left trees testify the presence of tropical environment in the Arctic. Also, recent discoveries have indicated the presence of mangrove, palm tree and Burmese lacquer tree in this region several years ago. Discovery of crocodile and turtle fossils in the area shows that the region had a temperature between 25-35 degrees which is in contrast with the modern temperature of the Arctic which is -45degrees. Recent discoveries of palm, pine and tropical foliage also indicate a great climatic change in the poles.
Question 2
The excavations from both the Arctic and the Antarctic illustrate a significant degree of dramatic climate change on the land masses that now form the poles. The evidence illustrates change in the climatic condition of the two poles from a habitable and favorable climate to an ice-covered land mass with temperatures as low as -45 degree Celsius. The earth's climate is not constant as it experiences rapid changes over time depending on human activities such as industrialization that leads to high carbon emissions leading to rising in global temperatures and global warming. The past climate in the Arctic and Antarctic is far much different from the modern environment in the region.
Question 3
The events in the Arctic and Antarctic region illustrate a gradual change in the climatic conditions of the area. These changes occur gradually over a period. The change in the climatic conditions is not dramatic as it takes place in a slow fashion based on the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere. Research indicates that the changes in climatic conditions in the pole occur over a period of 10000 years, and this suggests that the events are progressive and grow substantially with time.
