"this is sixth form poetry, not Keats or Yeats"
Sunbeams two-step over white blankets Gliding painlessly between worlds, Then stray too close to the edge Where looming Arctic waves Trap their latent heat; Ending the dance, And leaving Only Sea. This is a nonet, inspired by recent research that has provided the first quantitative evidence for the “albedo feedback” effect in the Arctic. It … Read more
The crops that we all need to sustain life Are weakened by upturns in CO2; Engaging in this atmospheric strife Means less nutritious protein can accrue. But will this cause distress for me or you? For those who have the least, the risks are high, Because of greenhouse gases that we spew. And as we … Read more
Antarctic sea shelves are diverse, With worms and seastars worth acclaim; Conditions are not too adverse, The sea life is never the same. But as temperatures start to rise, The cold barrier becomes lame; From the slopes new creatures arise, The sea life is never the same. Below nought point four degrees C, … Read more
When will we stop to think of what we do? We treat this land as if it is our own; Then all of our mistakes start to accrue, With consequences steady and unknown. The Arctic is not out there all alone, Sea ice protects us with its whitish hue; Without it Earth would sink … Read more
Record-breaking rainfall has surged, A thirty-year trend has emerged; Reminding us that we are small, The rain it continues to fall. A global growth of twelve per cent, Means flood risk is on the ascent; Compared to a stationary stall, The rain it continues to fall. As air temperature does increase, More rain … Read more
Contrails cast shadows across azure skies, As jet exhausts do freeze in cold, moist air. But we have just begun to realise The great effects of what happens up there. By studying two sites that were the same, Apart from the presence of those white streaks, Research has shown the shadows are to blame … Read more
The warming of the seas signals the end For many living gardens in full bloom; The bleaching of the coral is a trend, The killing of the algae bringing doom. But there may yet still be some breathing room, Some species can these warm waters withstand; Their spreading larvae could yet lift the gloom. To … Read more
The Arctic is warming so fast The Sea Ice will not always last, And as sunlight breaks through this tomb The algae continue to bloom. The plankton absorb CO two, Give oxygen to the deep blue; But danger is starting to loom, The algae continue to bloom. For as the plants increase in … Read more