Polar vortex: does the cold weather say otherwise about global warming?

Polar vortex: does the cold weather say otherwise about global warming?

Introduction

A polar vortex is a cyclone, or strong cold air that is found in the poles of a planet. These vertices are strong in the winter, and are weakened during summer. These vortices are generally caused by cyclones that go to higher latitudes. Volcanoes also contribute to strengthening vortices.

Polar vortex and global warming

According to some experts, the vortices are causing temperatures to drop more and more. Take the winter of 2013, the world faced one of the coldest winters ever. Everything from the frozen Niagara to the frozen lakes, to snow in places that never snowed has proved that the winter was out of its character. Some academicians are of the opinion that the entire global warming scare is a hoax created by the scientific community. It is an error in judgment, which they are trying to cover up by whatever means possible. The temperature of the earth has not risen by much over the past nearly two decades. They are arguing that with the winters turning so cold, global warming cannot be happening.

Another school of thought feels that it is not the polar vortices that are causing extreme climates, but it is global warming that is responsible. Global warming cannot just cause an increase in the temperature; it can also cause a drop in the temperature, and result in colder winters. Global warming could paradoxically cause more draughts and heavier rains, due to the increase in moisture content in the atmosphere.

However, yet another community of experts feel that the wandering of the vortices, and the resultant extreme climates is because of global warming. The erratic movement of the vortices could cause it to break off, and move separately in different directions. This can have an effect on the climate as well. The reduction in the Arctic ice is also credited to the erratic behavior of the vortices, and the jet streams that surround the vortices.

Conclusion

Just as it is the case with any scientific theory, we can never be fully sure of the causes of the fluctuation of weather in the world. There are always debates on scientific theory, which rages for several years, and eventually does not have a suitable conclusion. It only results in confusing the lay man!

In the end we cannot say anything for sure. Does global warming cause the climatic changes, or do the polar vortices cause them? Is the erratic behavior of the vortices because of global warming? Is the extreme climate normal? We will never really know for sure, as there is no conclusive theory that we can refer to. As individuals, the only thing that we can do is to take care that we do not contribute to global warming in our small way. Carpool more often, fly less often, reduce air conditioning, save water, plant trees, among other things, to save the planet.