- Is-Earth-Spinning-Faster-0.mp3
- Is-Earth-Spinning-Faster-0.mp4
- Is-Earth-Spinning-Faster-I.mp3
- Is-Earth-Spinning-Faster-I.mp4
- Is-Earth-Spinning-Faster-II.mp3
- Is-Earth-Spinning-Faster-II.mp4
- Is-Earth-Spinning-Faster-Reggae.mp3
- Is-Earth-Spinning-Faster-Reggae.mp4
- Is-Earth-Spinning-Faster-intro.mp3
[Intro]
Is Earth spinning faster
Time appears to be flying past
Is Earth spinning faster
If so, how much faster can it last?
[Verse 1]
(It’s easy to see)
The ice is flowing
Into the sea
From there it’s going
To speed up destiny
[Chorus]
Earth is spinning faster
(Time is flying by)
Surely, can’t outlast her
(But, for now I’m gonna try!)
[Bridge]
Is Earth spinning faster
Time appears to be flying past
Is Earth spinning faster
How much faster can we last?
[Verse 2]
Claim without knowing
Caused the ice’s flowing
(Flowing) into the sea
(It’s plain to see)
From there it’s going
Speeding up destiny
[Chorus]
Earth is spinning faster
(Time is flying by)
Surely, can’t outlast her
(But, for now I’m gonna try!)
[Bridge]
Is Earth spinning faster
Time appears to be flying past
Is Earth spinning faster
How much faster can we last?
[Chorus]
Earth is spinning faster
(Time is flying by)
Surely, can’t outlast her
(But, for now I’m gonna try!)
[Outro]
Earth is spinning faster
(Self-inflicted disaster)
A SCIENCE NOTE
3. Physics of Water and Earth’s Rotation
- Redistribution of Water Mass: Melting ice and the influx of freshwater alter the distribution of mass across Earth’s surface.
- Toward the Equator: As polar ice melts, water flows toward the equator due to gravitational forces and Earth’s rotation. This redistribution changes the Earth’s moment of inertia.
- Earth’s Rotation: Conservation of angular momentum dictates that a redistribution of mass toward the equator causes Earth to spin slightly faster, similar to a figure skater pulling in their arms. This effect is measurable but small, shortening the length of a day by microseconds.
- Sea Level Rise: Freshwater entering oceans contributes to sea level rise, with higher increases at the equator due to the centrifugal force from Earth’s rotation.
4. Broader Implications
- Climate Feedback Loops: Reduced salinity and circulation weaken heat distribution across the planet, intensifying climate extremes. For example:
- Europe may experience severe cooling if AMOC slows, despite global warming.
- The tropics could face intensified storms as warm water pools.
- Economic Impacts: Fisheries collapse, disrupted shipping routes, and increased flooding would strain economies.
- Geopolitical Tensions: Freshwater scarcity and resource competition may escalate conflicts in vulnerable regions.
Summary
As freshwater ice melts into warming saltwater:
- Salinity decreases, disrupting ocean currents and ecosystems.
- Ecosystems face stress, biodiversity loss, and hypoxia.
- Water redistributes toward the equator, slightly accelerating Earth’s rotation and increasing sea levels.
- Climate feedback loops intensify, amplifying global risks.
Mitigating these effects requires aggressive climate action to slow ice melt, preserve ecosystems, and stabilize global temperatures.