Science or Speculation? The Earth Has a Heartbeat?

Dear Earth, 

Recently, scientists have started using the term “Earth’s heartbeat” to describe the natural cycles and patterns our planet goes through—like ocean currents, seasons, and polar ice cycles. These rhythms usually keep the planet stable, almost like how a steady heartbeat keeps a person alive and well. But now, these rhythms are changing—and climate change is a major reason why.

The Arctic, in particular, is warming nearly four times faster than the rest of the world. This extreme shift in temperature is melting ice caps and glaciers at a rapid rate. That ice used to reflect sunlight back into space, helping to keep the planet cool. But as more ice melts, more heat gets absorbed by the dark ocean water, which causes even more warming—a dangerous feedback loop.

These kinds of dramatic changes are disrupting Earth’s “heartbeat.” Patterns that once repeated reliably—like seasonal sea ice or predictable weather systems—are now becoming irregular or disappearing altogether. Some scientists believe this shift in natural cycles could be a sign that we’re reaching a tipping point, where the damage becomes much harder to reverse.

So when we talk about the Earth’s heartbeat, it’s more than just a metaphor. It’s a way of understanding how deeply climate change is affecting our planet. What’s happening in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic—it affects global weather, sea levels, and even ecosystems thousands of miles away. It’s a serious reminder that we’re all connected to the planet’s rhythms, and right now, those rhythms are being thrown dangerously off balance.

So when we talk about the Earth’s heartbeat, it’s more than just a metaphor. It’s a way of understanding how deeply climate change is affecting our planet. What’s happening in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctice–it affects global weather, sea levels, and even ecosystems thousands of miles away. It’s a serious reminder that we’re all connected to the planet’s rhythms, and right now, those rhythms are being thrown dangerously off balance. 

Love,

Jessica Ngok