One thing I've found very interesting while studying climate change is how connected our earth is. Our environment relies so heavily on its many parts to the point where when something isn't correct, a giant chain reaction follows. For example, lack of rain is causing our surface to become more dry and susceptible to wildfires. This is also affecting the spread of these fires to become quicker. Since so much is burning in so little time, officials are having an even harder time controlling them than previously. Not only are these giant wildfires a problem, but also what they leave behind.
Jason Box is a glaciologist who has spent years coming up with what he calls "a unified theory" of glaciology. Box believes that the soot from wildfires is being carried over to glaciers that are located nearby. As the soot lands, it is changing the color of the ice's surface and decreasing its reflectivity. This means that instead of reflecting sunlight as usual, the ice is absorbing it and melting at a quicker rate. Once enough ice is gone, the earth's surface breaks through, darkenin g further and allowing for even more heat absorption.
Many believe that the main problem of glaciers melting is the affect it has on sea-levels, but what they may not realize is what ice releases when it melts. As ice melts, the carbon dioxide that has been previously trapped inside air bubbles is released directly into the atmosphere. Scientists are worried about this because the release is happening at abnormally high rates further adding to our enormous carbon footprint. This cycle is very difficult to stop once it has started and I only hope that we can figure it out before it's too late.