14 DAY TRIAL // Santa Claus is expected by millions of children all across the Globe every year. What they do not know is that he might go out of business or be forced to relocate his toy factory, because of global warming, a phenomenon responsible for radical changes already visible especially in the North Pole region.
Scientists from the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) reveal the North Pole displayed the lowest ice extent last year in December, since they first started relying on satellite records, the National Wildlife Federation reports.
If the same path is preserved or if the situation worsens, the toys manufactured by Santa and his staff could end up on the bottom of the ocean.
“Data on sea ice extent are one of the most important indicators of climate change: in the Arctic Ocean, sea ice has declined by more than 30 percent since 1979. However, scientists use a variety of algorithms and data sources to study sea ice and the methods are not always completely documented. That can make it difficult to compare data over long periods of time, for effective measurements related to climate,” NSIDC informs.
His sledge ride might also experience significant bumps in the road. Climate change makes the air temperature reach higher rates, a condition that would trigger disturbances in the atmosphere.
Such a phenomenon is correlated with flight turbulences that could put his safety at great risks. Moreover, scientists have already linked climate change with a series of dramatic natural catastrophes like floods, tornadoes and storms. He might even set a different delivery date, taking these environmental challenges into account.
All in all, increased temperatures could radically change Santa's overall appearance. After all, nobody could associate heat waves with boots, a thick red coat and long beard.
If we finished talking about Santa, the reindeers aren't doing so good either. The reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) is a deer from the Arctic and Subarctic, including resident and migratory animals.
Even if populations are currently widespread and numerous, some of its subspecies are rare and one or two have already gone extinct. These creatures can migrate and engage their effort in 3,000 miles-trips every year.
Therefore, they will most likely run far away from growing temperatures, in an attempt to find cooler regions. Then again, once reindeers don’t feel at home in their current habitat, no place on Earth could probably provide cooler temperatures.