The maintaining of polar ice is a glaring issue and extremely important not only for animals but humans as well. Currently, by 2100, sea levels are projected to increase by more than a meter - this would be devastating for people in estuarine regions like the Ganga delta in Bangladesh, the Pearl delta in China, the Mississippi delta in the United States, and many other important regions throughout the world, including New York itself, with its nearly 9 million people.

The loss of polar ice means a rise in sea level, which would put at stake millions upon millions of lives in coastal, low-elevation regions throughout the world. Flooding and storms would be much more prevalent, and people would be forced to relocate. By 2100, something on this scale would cost the world tens of trillions of dollars more per year.

Now is the time to act, to prevent fossil fuels and deforestation from opening up a hole in one of the most important areas of our planet. The consequences to our actions are already occurring, and the most severe are still to come. Switching to solar energy as a homeowner can allow for you to be part of the effort in protecting worldwide ecosystems, animals, and people, and pushing for further programs through petitions like this.