Florida Doesn’t Have Snow—But the Arctic Might Not Soon Either

Imagine a white wonderland where penguins, foxes, and polar bears jump into snow piles. There are towers of snow, which haunt animals and the few people who walk by. That’s not the only thing that haunts and towers people, because the trees do as well. Trees have snow that occasionally falls and branches that chip off into a white abyss. 

Now stop imagining because this is what life looked like before wildfires and pollution. Before the snow turned black and dark, the Arctic was a beautiful white wonderland. Before the chaos, neglect, and disarray, we lived in a beautiful world filled with beautiful things. 

Most people don’t travel to the Arctic on family vacations. Most of the time, it’s the Caribbean, Costa Rica, maybe Florida. Stupid Florida and its beautiful beaches. But never is it the Arctic. And that’s not the problem here, but the problem is that we don’t notice it. We never quite notice the problem. 

Wildfires and pollution cause the winter wonderland we all love to turn into a darker and meaner wonderland. Dark snow occurs when soot from wildfires and pollution gets collected onto the snow. These are easily absorbed into the snow, and when they are absorbed, they also absorb sunlight faster.

This is a major issue because it accelerates the melting of snow. 

These particles, such as black carbon (soot) and dust, settle on snow and ice, reducing their reflectivity (albedo) and causing them to absorb more heat and melt faster. This accelerated melting can lead to various environmental consequences, including rising sea levels and changes in water availability. 

Not only that, but this dark snow also worsens climate change feedback loops. If this action continues, then it could result in a permanently hot Earth or an Earth with worsening heat issues. Then, eventually, it could be irreversible, possibly resulting in death.

However, there is always a solution! Even if the results are completely detrimental, there’s always a solution. These include reducing emissions from fossil fuels and wood burning, using green energy and energy efficiency, and employing techniques like greening the snow or using snow fences to trap impurities. 

Sometimes we’re so blindsided by some small problems that we don’t realize our actions impact places like the Arctic as well. What we do always has an impact. So, as I always say, we are the reason, but we are and always will be the change. 

Sources Cited:

Help! Insight for Eliminating Snow from Long Driveway from Big Snows! Seepix! - Doityourself.Com Community Forums, www.doityourself.com/forum/decks-patios-porches-walkways-driveways-stairs-steps-docks/625738-help-insight-eliminating-snow-long-drveway-big-snows-seepix.html. Accessed 14 June 2025. 

Toniello, Sergio. “What Role Do Feedback Loops Play in Climate Change?” BraveGen, 13 Sept. 2024, blog.bravegen.com/what-role-do-feedback-loops-play-in-climate-change-0.