1. Causes
1.1. Human
1.1.1. More fossil fuels being burnt
1.1.1.1. More greenhouses gases released into atmosphere
1.1.1.1.1. Increases the amount of sunlight absorbed by the earths atmosphere and therefore increases the temperature
1.1.2. http://www.newsy.com/videos/cooling_the_planet_down
1.1.3. New node
1.2. Ecological
1.3. The Albedo effect
1.3.1. The Albedo effect is the melting of sea ice, this lowers the albedo meaning that less sunlight is reflected from the white surface fo the snow and more is absorbed by the land. This increased absorbed sunlight causes more sea ice to melt, causing a loop called the Ice Albedo feedback loop.
1.3.2. Black: Low albedo (forest) White: High albedo (ice)
2. Effects
2.1. Positive
2.1.1. Human
2.1.1.1. Melting ice
2.1.1.1.1. New oil sources have been found
2.1.1.1.2. Shipping lanes have got larger
2.1.1.1.3. Harbours can now be used throughout the winter
2.1.1.2. Business has increased in ILULISSAT
2.1.1.2.1. Zero unemployment
2.1.2. Physical
2.1.2.1. More forests
2.1.2.1.1. More absorption of Co2
2.1.3. Ecological
2.1.3.1. Warmer sea levels
2.1.3.1.1. more cod and prawns
2.1.3.2. Glaciers melting, exposing rich iron ore
2.2. Negative
2.2.1. Human
2.2.1.1. Permafrost is melting
2.2.1.1.1. Roads and houses are shifting
2.2.1.2. Less snow
2.2.1.2.1. Husky sled racers suffer
2.2.2. Physical
2.2.2.1. Glaciers are melting
2.2.2.1.1. Flooding is becoming a large problem
2.2.2.2. Increasing coastal erosion
2.2.2.2.1. Houses are getting swept away by currents, where there used to be ice
2.2.3. Ecological
2.2.3.1. Less ice
2.2.3.1.1. Polar bears are eating less
2.2.3.1.2. Polar bears are moving into towns to feed
2.2.3.2. More parasites, hotter water temperatures YUKON RIVER
2.2.3.2.1. Salmon numbers are decreasing
2.2.3.3. Permafrost is melting
2.2.3.3.1. more lakes
2.2.3.4. Warmer winters
2.2.3.4.1. Spruce bark beetles are not dying
3. Importance
3.1. The Arctic's surfaces reflects heats and cools the surface
3.1.1. Without the Arctic the world would be a lot hotter
3.2. The Arctic controls the worlds sea currents and keeps them under control
3.2.1. If the artic melts more raging storms could take place
3.3. There are 9 countries that are part of the Arctic
3.3.1. If it melted, then the these countries would be at serious risk of flooding and other major disasters
3.4. The Arctic contains very important foodwebs
3.4.1. If only one of the animals in it are made extinct, it would mess up all of the food webs
3.5. There are lots of different communities thaty exist on the Arctics ice
3.5.1. If it melted then many people would have to move away or be made homeless
3.6. The Arctic contains lots of frozen water
3.6.1. it is stabalising the sea levels