Tag Archives: climate

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

What to Expect (And Not Expect) in Trump’s 2024 America

Dear Earth,

With Donald Trump back in the White House, we’re already seeing some major shifts in climate policy. In classic Trump fashion, it’s shaping up to be a big “Thank you, next” to recent environmental efforts. Instead of pushing for renewable energy, get ready for a renewed love affair with fossil fuels. There may be an oil rig pop-up in every backyard if things go the way the fossil fuel industry hopes. Environmentalists are shaking their heads and saying, “Didn’t we just go through this?” 

The U.S. pulling back from international climate agreements could feel like that one friend who bails on plans last minute. As one of the world’s largest carbon emitters, the U.S. plays a crucial role in global emissions reduction. So if America decides to step back, other countries might throw their hands up too, thinking, “If they’re not in, why should we be?” Agreements like the Paris Accord, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, could start feeling more like wishful thinking than a real plan.

Here at home, it might be up to state and local governments to take up the environmental slack. States like California and New York, who’ve been paving the way in green energy, could become the “cool parents” of climate action, handing out solar panels and reusable bags while the federal government doubles down on coal. Localized climate goals could keep some progress alive, but it might also lead to a confusing patchwork of rules where, depending on the state, you’re either a climate warrior or an “anything-goes” energy user.

Economically, it’s a mixed bag. Rolling back federal incentives for clean energy could slow down job growth in wind, solar, and other renewable industries, impacting communities that rely on these sectors. But here’s the twist: companies and the general public are more eco-conscious than ever. Even if federal policy pulls back, popular support and business interest in sustainability could create a quirky, resilient counterculture of climate action, driven by green-minded folks determined to keep us moving forward, one compost bin at a time.

Sincerely,

Jessica N.