• Question: Hey! two questions..... 1. Do ye watch big bang theory? (soo funny :D) 2. How long will it take for global warming to melt all the ice in the north pole? BYEEEEE!

    Asked by smileyluke8 to Colm, Eoin, Joseph, Lauren, Stephen on 12 Nov 2013.
    • Photo: Eoin O Colgain

      Eoin O Colgain answered on 12 Nov 2013:

      Indeed, there is a chap in my area of research called Yuji Tachikawa (Tokyo) and he has tried many times to submit papers to journals with Sheldon Cooper, affiliation Caltech, just as a joke! The journals always decline to publish on the grounds that Sheldon is fictitious. 🙂

      The closest person I have met to Sheldon Cooper is not a theoretical physicist, but actually a mathematician.

      The ice at the north pole is seasonal, so it retreats in summer. The arctic should be ice free in summer by 2100 and potentially quicker than that. Some studies say 2020, 2030, etc.

    • Photo: colm bracken

      colm bracken answered on 12 Nov 2013:

      Big Bang Theory is awesome. And I am optimistic about global warming. Many research teams are working hard on finding new ways to produce energy without harming the Earth. Nuclear fusion is probably the most exciting research in this area. It is basically attempting to build a small Sun in the Lab. Efficient nuclear fusion power could produce almost limitless energy and hopefully put a stop to global warming as there would be o need to burn fossil fuels. I just hope it’s not too late to reverse global warming already.

    • Photo: Lauren Mc Keown

      Lauren Mc Keown answered on 14 Nov 2013:

      I love the Big Bang Theory!! 🙂 My friend actually calls me “Shpeldon” because apparently I am a mixture between Penny and Sheldon…I don’t know whether to take that as a compliment or insult ha.

      Latest models suggest that the North Pole will be free of ice in several decades, so not too long. I do really hope that preventative measures being taken to prolong the time we have with our icecaps work.

    • Photo: Joseph Roche

      Joseph Roche answered on 15 Nov 2013:

      1. I know of it, but I don’t really watch it 🙂

      2. I think that will depend on the impact of climate change. The terrifying thing is we can’t say for certain but we’re all hopeful that we will change our ways and reverse the damage.

    • Photo: Stephen Scully

      Stephen Scully answered on 15 Nov 2013:

      Love the Big Bang Theory and I think the ice caps will take quite a while to completely melt.

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