When I read the title “The Changing Face of the Arctic” on CNN, what first jumped to mind is that it could very well have been titled the Changing Face of Alaska or the Changing face of Alabama, Arkansas or Arizona. Maybe Trouble in the Tundra could be rewritten as Trouble in Tennessee or Trouble in Texas.

You see, here’s the thing about a recent story in Science Magazine where the lead scientist in a report on climbing temperatures and the turmoil they bring to the Arctic region should give us, all of us, a wake up call.

In the Review of the article, Eric Post warns “These rapid changes may be a bellwether of changes to come at lower latitudes and have the potential to affect ecosystem services related to natural resources, food production, climate regulation, and cultural integrity. We highlight areas of ecological research that deserve priority as the Arctic continues to warm.”

Now, most will be fired up about this report lamenting the obvious assault on seals, sea ice, polar bears and additional flora and fauna. They will focus on the adverse affects on sea levels and people living along them. Through all the hoopla, many will overlook the hidden long-term impact on ALL of us. What “happens in Vegas” may very well stay in Vegas, but it isn’t true in the Tundra.

It easy to forget that our planet and its varied ecosystems are intimately interconnected at vast and ubiquitous levels. What happens in the Arctic is a Canary in our planet-wide coal mine.