TAIMUN 12th Press 2014

 

     With recent drastic climate changes, predicting the weather has become more difficult than ever. As spring approaches, millions of Americans hope to lose their fur-coat jackets and roam the streets wearing their favorite t-shirt. However, this year, mother nature has brought the unexpected. Instead of warmer weather, many Americans and Canadians have to put up with a weather of unusually cold temperatures, often times reaching -10 degrees Celsius.

 

     The cold winds that has affected an estimate of 190 million people is supposedly a result of a weather pattern known as the polar vortex. Due to global warming, unusual masses of warm air enter our atmosphere causes a high pressure system that alters wind currents. In turn, the Arctic winds from the North travel down to blast America's East with freezing winds. As a result of these frigid winds, temperature records were surpassed all across the United States resulting in countless inconveniences, tragedies, and transportation problems. The unsafe roads alone caused countless roadblocks for America. Not only was the federal government forced to delay opening and closing times for schools and offices but at least 6 people were killed in traffic accidents caused by slippery roads. In addition, around 700 flights were canceled while another 2000 delayed because of the extreme weather. If delays, deaths, and the cancellation of flights weren't enough, 30 thousand Americans in Memphis, Tennessee alone were cut from all power, leading to the cancellation of schools and many other problems.

 

     Because the harsh winters have costed Americans around 5 billion dollars in damages to homes, buildings, roads, and agriculture, government officials are beginning to take the issue of climate change more seriously. John Kerry, America's Secretary of State, has made it public that one of his top priorities this year is to take the fight against climate change more seriously. In one of Kerry's letters to American diplomats and ambassadors, he mentions how, "Protecting our environment and meeting the challenge of global climate change is a critical mission for me as our country's top diplomat." Furthermore, Kerry is doing his best to encourage the United Nations to set new goals for greenhouse gas emissions and is trying to convince the international community to prioritize the fight against climate change. Through Kerry and his international efforts, China, the largest greenhouse gas emitter, has begun strengthening environmental protection laws and holding polluters accountable for their damages. Now that China has begun its war on climate change and pollution, the rest of the international community will hopefully follow.

 

     Not only is the unusual movement of the polar vortex affecting the United States, but can also be felt across the world. A few months ago, a Russian research ship was stuck in the pacific ocean due to a massive blockade of ice that isn't usually there. The 52 men crew were rescued weeks later. Although the cold weather came as a shock to many people across the world, people are making the best out of the situation and are trying their best to adapt. "The heating bills are going to go up," Hackney said with a chuckle. "It's very unusual for us to have temperatures in the single digits." Even though temperatures are returning to normal, the international community should take this event as a warning.