Work now to save Arctic animal life

Sadly, the Arctic ice mass is doomed. Even if all the nations of the world immediately implemented emergency programs to curb global warming, it is probably too late to prevent an Arctic meltdown. In a very short time a buoy will mark the North Pole.

The impact on human habitat will be minimal (climatic change is another matter) since few of us live in the region. However, the animals (seals, polar bears, walruses) that do reside there will be severely challenged to the point of possible, if not probable, extinction.

While it is too late to save the Arctic ice region, we still have time to save the Arctic animals. I propose we test artificial ice flows to see if or how these animals would adapt to man-made islands. Then, if these faux ice bergs work, we could expand these islands of refuge as the real ice disappears. We are going to have to live with an aquatic North Pole, but at least we might save the inhabitants if we work fast.

Robert E. Anderson

Arlington Heights