One Truly Magnificent System

And a masterpiece at that! 

But first, let’s define a system as a set of conditions working together in a relationship of matter and energy parts. Think: computer, plane, one’s body, a highrise, etc. So many systems. And don’t forget the role conceptual, social, informational, and biological systems play in everyday society.

Yet, none of the above can exist without the most dynamic relationship of all - that of our planet. Earth’s system dominates all others. Talk about an association of matter and energy. Land, water, ice, air, and life are the natural ingredients of our fragile global system. The scientific definitions of these five interacting components are scientifically elongated into lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), cryosphere (ice), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (life). To fit perfectly in place, these pieces of our planetary puzzle must constantly exchange heat, water, and gases. 

Therefore, all of Earth’s existence is sustained in a magical and very sensitive blend of temperature, water, and chemical elements. Furthermore, the two sources of energy that power up the five natural components are the sun and Earth’s core. Those two dynamos fuel everything around us, and most importantly the two cycles of presence: the water cycle and the carbon cycle. 

Very complex cycles indeed on which our very survival depends.

The air around us is made up of approx. 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen with a fractional bit of carbon dioxide. Necessities of life. Then there’s water vapor, or water in a gaseous state, that depending on temperature and location, comprises 1%-4% of the atmosphere.

But what grabs Earth scientist’s attention are those two cycles of presence. Taken for granted by 99.99% of humanity, the water cycle and carbon cycle are like the center and the quarterback of a football team. They make the rest of the team succeed or struggle or fail. The water and carbon cycles certainly are the MVPs when considering nature’s movements around the globe. Never questioned, never an issue with quality and supply - until late last century.

Two short definitions:        

The water cycle is the natural transformation of this liquid into water vapor which condenses to become dark clouds causing the liquid to return to Earth’s surface in the form of rain or snow. The carbon cycle is the NATURAL flow, balance, and storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) between the atmosphere, land, ocean, ice, and all living matter. A very small amount is all that is required. These two elementary definitions become quite complex in a scientific sense and are crucial to life sustainability. Ever since the last ice age came to a halt around ten thousand years ago, right up to 1950-1960, this masterpiece called Earth’s System functioned beautifully. Led by the water and carbon cycles, our environment was in sync.

Until a slow, steady human-caused disruption infiltrated in a harmful way, negatively impacting those five ingredients.

Harmful way? Enter global warming. 

The Land component of Earth’s System is not going to go anywhere even though it is less moist. One reason for aridity: Since the year 2000, worldwide glaciers have shrunk 40%. Another fact: there is less snow, meaning fewer and fewer white Christmases in the U.S. Between 1972 and 2020, the annual portion of North America covered by snow has decreased by an average of 1870 square miles, about the size of Delaware. Across the Atlantic, the European Climate Assets Network reports indicate a drastic reduction in snow cover to the tune of 12.2% snow thickness reduction per decade. Europe is warming faster than the global average. Worldwide, aridity now impacts 43% of all agricultural lands and 2.3 billion people, and the UN reports that three-fourths of Europe’s soil became 78% permanently dryer during these last 30 years of fossil fuel intervention.

Water is a forever part of the Earth System while becoming deeper and warmer. Similar to Land, it is a question of what the temperature condition is. Those bodies of salt water that occupy about 72% of the globe are the magnets that draw in surplus heat caused by human emissions that continue to accumulate. They are the catalyst for whatever warm-weather events occur on the mainland.

The melting Ice portion of the System is what is causing our oceans to swell. Because the Arctic and Antarctic Ice regions of our planet are melting, albeit at a snail’s pace, the sea depth is rising around .15 inches per year. On February 9, 2025, the temperature in the North Pole hit 32 degrees Fahrenheit for the first time. That is like ice melting in your freezer with the door shut… This record is 36 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the long-term average for that time of year. Greenland’s Ice melt is now almost twice the frequency of 1950-1990. 560 gigatons were lost in 2019 vs. an average of 300 gigatons melting in previous decades. Much of the glacier Ice will not survive the 2000s and the Polar Ice will continue to diminish for centuries. This was supposed to happen centuries from now!

Similar to Land and Water, the Air component of Earth’s System will always be with us -  it’s a question of quality. The carbon cycle is out of balance due to an excess of CO2 and methane far above what nature provides. According to the World Health Organization, 90%+ of the world’s population inhales air that exceeds healthy limits. Those thresholds are very strict in terms of pollution standards and I believe pollution levels will have to increase substantially before there are widespread unsafe levels of air space. South-East Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean do have worrisome air quality, but not the entire planet.

Yet.

Still, it's very scary to think where this issue can expand.

Our second water, the drinkable kind, has me doing everything I possibly can to educate the populace about climate awareness. I truly believe humanity will get its arms around the land, saltwater, ice, and air ingredients soon enough. It’s all about water for thirst and crops. The freshwater supply for much of the global population has me on high alert. Once a region becomes dry the water cycle is forced out of balance and it is nearly impossible to return to a prior more moist condition. If climate change maintains its steady pace, before we know it about five billion people will be living in drylands and will suffer more from diminishing freshwater sources. Nearly all of Europe, Brazil, Eastern Asia, and Central Asia have been smacked the hardest by drought conditions. And it’s happening right in our backyard - in the Western U.S. The lowering of the Lakes Powell and Mead water levels has me deeply concerned.

Is there a definitive worldly plan for a united front against global warming? No, of course not. The United Nations has tried with guarded commitment.  The required type of action must be initially promoted by public outcry which will draw in every form of media to the cause. Given the tragic LA fires and succeeding tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes that sweep through numerous American regions, it’s alarming to know the words “climate change” “climate crisis” and “global warming” are rarely heard on the evening news. America’s current political, cultural, and economic divide and chaos are too overwhelming to think about anything else.

President Climate Denier doesn’t want anyone to understand how vital a healthy Earth system is.

So, it’s up to you and I to educate others.