Tipping Point !

Science has become more strident in warning that global warming will produce irreversible changes to this planet.  One of the factors causing alarm is the increasing speed with which the Arctic ice cap is melting. This polar ice reflects sunlight back into space and when it is replaced by dark water that reflection changes to absorption.   The ice has been retreating each summer for years and now it is estimated that we will see an ice free north pole - not in 2050 but by 2030 if the present rate remains unchanged.

We are told that a temperature increase of just I.5 degrees  would result in the complete destruction of the Greenland ice sheet, the biggest body of ice in the world and that would cause a catastrophic rise in the sea levels of the world's oceans.   The course of the various gulf streams would be altered and consequently changes to the jet streams in the air above would change the world's weather patterns alarmingly. It is said that we are fast approaching the " tipping point " - where the melt will become irreversible.

There is another phenomenon that  seems to have escaped discussion.   This accelerating polar melt is happening at a much faster rate in the Arctic than in the Antarctic.   It is probable that because there is more of the world's population living in the northern hemisphere, the pollution output of China, India and the United States, plus that of Europe - is circulating over the Arctic.  In contrast, the smaller output from the countries of the southern hemisphere is causing a less dramatic Antarctic melt.

Planet earth is a finely balanced spinning ball hurtling through space.   If an ice free north pole is not balanced by a corresponding loss of ice in the Antarctic, then there is the prospect of the planet going out of balance.
We know what happens if one of the tyres on our car sheds a balancing weight.   Just imagine the " wobble " that could occur if a huge weight of ice in the Antarctic was not counter balanced by a similar .mass in the Arctic ?

The past years seem to have seen an increase in volcanic activity. A number of dormant volcanoes have come to life and there have been more earthquakes.   The inner core of this planet is a molten mass of magma.    Is it possible that a growing imbalance is exerting thrust on this material and causing an increase in volcanic activity ?

Most of the discussion on global warming has been concentrated on rising sea levels and the damage that will do to our way of life.   It would be comforting if science issued clear predictions on how the melting of the ice caps will affect the balance of this planet, and if we have anything to fear from a change of natural balance .
The silence of the scientists on this issue - is deafening !