Page 95 - 2008 DT 12 issues

Scientists predict that the however, may be taking us to the brink, Holmes, and the Honorable Phillip Pro,
climate will warm by an average of destroying the delicate equilibrium Chief U.S. District Court Judge. The
another 1.4 to 5.8 degrees in the next nature has created. Let’s hope that awards were bestowed at a luncheon
hundred years. Such a rapid increase technology can also learn how to at the Courthouse on November
won’t provide much time for plants reestablish that balance before the ice 22. Contestants, their families and
and animals to adapt. Mountain all melts away, and much more with volunteers were given a PowerPoint
organisms face the greatest challenge. it. — Barbara Wolin slide show of all winning photos.
Mountaintops are similar to islands.
Their alpine environments host Winners:
highly specialized animals. The pika, Red Rock Photo Contest GENERAL: Komkrit Thusanapanont
which inhabit the mountain states –first; Chris England-second; Kathy
of the western U.S. and are related by Phillis Lisi Poole-third
to rabbits, are highly vulnerable to The seventh annual Red Rock Canyon CREATIVE: Benjamin Padgett - first;
warming conditions. By the end Photo Contest began on October 3, Grace Morgan - second and third
of a 10 year study, seven out of 25 2008. All of the photos are on display WILDLIFE: Alejandro Gallo -
populations surveyed had vanished. in the lobby of the Lloyd D. George first; Eric Koppitch - second: Sara
Ice sheets, such as those - U.S. Federal Courthouse, 333 Las Smith - third.
in Greenland and Antarctica, are Vegas Boulevard South in downtown BLACK AND WHITE: Kathy Poole
more difficult to measure, however, - first; Dill Debevc
satellite images have shown that ice - second; Willie
sheets are melting faster than winter Hew - third.
snows can replenish them. More T E E N S : N a t h a n
worrisome, however, is the meltwater Douglas - first;
flowing into the ocean at a faster rate
than anticipated. Ice reaching the sea Jeff Yost – second
becomes icebergs, raising sea level. and third.
Because fresh water is less dense than CHILDRENS: Chaz
sea water, it doesn’t sink. Adding Fernandez – first
large amounts of fresh water to the and third; Hope
ocean can influence currents, such as Mackey - second;
the Gulf Stream, which is responsible EMPLOYEE: Ron
for keeping Europe warmer during the Hawkins – first; Rudi
winter than it would otherwise be. Ardesch – second;
Large ice sheets are like Phil Fiol – third.
time machines. They not only hold Komkrit Thusanapanont - first place R A N G E R ’ S
information about current climate CHOICE: Jill
conditions, but ice cores drilled deep Las Vegas, through December 4. Levikas
into Greenland and Antarctica reveal The framed photos were accepted Honorable Mention:
data about climate in the past hundreds and set up on display by volunteers GENERAL: Janice Phillips; Douglas
of thousands of years. Layers of ice can and their guests. Ranger Gina Mele, Walsh; David Weiner; Christine
tell us about atmospheric temperature who heads up the contest, was assisted Curtis Wilson; Eric Koppitch.
when the ice was deposited as snow, by Lois Dohra, Sharon Edwards, RANGER’S CHOICE: Claire
and air bubbles within the ice preserve Brenda Jackson, Julie Kisosondi, McLaughlin; Willie Hew Hovering
a record of the atmosphere at that Norm Kresge, Joe Labie, Mary Labie,
time, as well. Volcanic dust provides Phyllis Lisi, Ed Matrange, Irene Congratulations to all of our talented
reliable dating. Mele, Grace Morgan, Don Powers, photographers!
Science can interpret the Ed Stiglitz, and James Kotrba of
climate cycle and the role played by Cultural Resources.
glaciers and ice sheets in the history The photos were judged on
and health of the planet. Technology, October 15 by Dean Otteson, Rick News and Notes, continued on page 7

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