The Polar Umbrella

I think that, whatever your particular belief regarding climate change, it’s hard to argue with the scientific data that indicates the polar region is shrinking; the ice cap is melting.

The news site dw.de reports that the polar ice caps have melted at a faster rate in the last 20 years then in the 10,000 preceding years. A comprehensive satellite study confirms that the melting ice caps are raising sea levels at an accelerating rate.

There are a myriad of reasons as to why this is occurring, but I don’t think that the scientific community has reached a consensus. Is the ice melting as a result of the planet’s natural evolution—an expected outcome due in part to the Earth’s age? Or is the human race and its industrial pollutants hastening the demise of our polar region? I guess that depends on which camp you align yourself with.

Nonetheless, the ice is melting and something needs to be done. I am of the opinion that the issue of climate change is complex so there probably is not one solution.

Courtesy Google Images

Courtesy Google Images

According to DVICE, Derek Pirozzi, winner of the most recent Skyscraper Competition held by the architecture magazine Evolo, has developed an innovative way to help preserve the ice cap. His design, the Polar Umbrella, marries technology and esthetics (it looks cool!).

Evolo says that the Polar Umbrella would be erected in strategic locations throughout the region. It would be a buoyant structure that would house things such as a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) research laboratory, renewable power station and eco-tourist attractions. But I think the most important feature is that the Polar Umbrella also regenerates the ice caps via harvest chambers that freeze ocean water.

Of course, this is only a concept design; it might not be practical to build a Polar Umbrella. In order to reverse global warming and save the ice caps there needs to be a reduction in CO2 emissions and it seems like the Polar Umbrella would only be a band aid not a solution.

However, I think the Polar Umbrella is what would be termed, “Thinking outside the box” and given the opportunity, I’d sign up to visit one of them.

Anyone care to take a winter vacation? I wonder if I could use my Hilton Honors points.