The Arctic and Antarctica, while both bearing the commonality of being ice-laden regions at the world’s extremities, are significantly different in terms of geographical and political characteristics.
The Arctic, a land-locked ocean, is distinct from Antarctica, which is a standalone continent circled by the Southern Ocean. Governance in Antarctica is guided by the Antarctic Treaty, yet no such legislation exists for the Arctic.
Unlike the unpopulated and geographically isolated Antarctica, the Arctic is inhabited and not geographically secluded. During summer, it sports an ice-free coastal zone and boasts a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. Such complexities underline the contrasting natures of the Arctic and Antarctica.
Arctic Geography And Climate
Defined by its position above the Arctic Circle, the Arctic region extends northward from latitude 66° 34′ N. During the summer solstice on June 22, the sun never sets, and conversely, it never rises on the winter solstice on December 22.
The Arctic Ocean, largely falling under the jurisdiction of the five coastal Arctic states – Canada, Denmark (through Greenland), Norway, Russia, and the United States (Alaska), collectively known as the Arctic Five.
Finland, Sweden, and Iceland are also Arctic countries, with portions of their territories within the Arctic Circle.
Covering over 20 million square kilometres, the Arctic region accounts for approximately 4 percent of the Earth’s surface.
The region is primarily defined by its Tundra ecosystem and pervasive Permafrost that extends up to 1000 metres deep. The area experiences extreme temperature variations, with mean monthly temperatures swinging between -32°C and 10°C.
The Arctic is home to around 4 million people, representing about 0.05 percent of the global population. Half of this population resides in the Russian Arctic.
Indigenous Peoples, numbering around 400,000, inhabit all Arctic nations except Iceland. These people have lived in the Arctic for millennia, evolving unique cultures and economies that are finely adapted to the region’s physical and biological conditions.
Arctic Council
The Arctic Council stands as the key multilateral entity focused on addressing issues related to the Arctic region. Among its key roles are promoting cooperation, coordination, and interaction among the Arctic States, Indigenous communities, and other inhabitants of the Arctic.
The Council places a high priority on sustainable development and environmental protection in the region.
Formally established in 1996, the Arctic Council is an inter-governmental forum that operates on a consensus-based approach. It consists of six Working Groups and goes beyond the eight Arctic States to include six Indigenous permanent participant organisations.
This inclusive composition allows for a diverse range of perspectives and expertise to shape the Council’s deliberations and actions.
The Council extends its reach by including over thirty-five observer states and organisations.
Climate Change-Induced Arctic Melt
From 1971 to 2019, the yearly average Arctic air temperature witnessed a staggering increase of 3.1°C, three times faster than the global average.
Simultaneously, the Arctic’s snow cover diminished by 21 percent, while the extent of Arctic sea ice declined by 43 percent. Every region of the Arctic encountered a net loss of land ice.
In March 2022, Arctic temperatures soared 30 degrees Celsius above the usual levels for that time of year. Scientists have forecasted that within the next fifteen to twenty years, the Arctic will experience ice-free late summers.
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Impacts Of Arctic Sea Ice Loss
Arctic Amplification
The melting of Arctic sea ice is a complex issue with global implications. As the Arctic warms at twice the rate of the rest of the world, the ice loss is accelerating, reducing the Earth’s overall Albedo Effect—its ability to reflect sunlight back into space—thereby increasing global warming. This phenomenon, known as Arctic amplification, contributes significantly to the rise in global temperatures.
Arctic amplification is a climatological phenomenon that refers to the faster rate of temperature increase in the Arctic compared to the global average. The key driver of this phenomenon is the albedo effect, or the reflectivity of the Earth’s surface.
Albedo Effect
Albedo is a measure of how effectively a surface reflects sunlight. Snow-covered sea ice exhibits a high albedo, reflecting approximately 85% of the incoming sunlight.
However, as the ice melts and gives way to open water, the albedo decreases significantly, with only about 7% of sunlight being reflected. This reduction in reflected sunlight leads to an increased absorption of heat by the Earth’s surface.
As sea ice retreats, the bright ice that would have reflected sunlight back into space is replaced by darker open water, causing the absorbed sunlight to heat up the ocean and accelerate the melting of ice.
Not only does heat warm the oceans, but the excess heat absorbed during summer is also subsequently released into the atmosphere, causing a rise in atmospheric temperatures. This phenomenon is a crucial factor contributing to the accelerated warming of the Arctic compared to the rest of the planet.
Amplification of Global Warming Due To Thawing Permafrost
The Arctic region is witnessing an escalation in temperatures that is leading to the melting of previously frozen soils, referred to as “permafrost”. The concerns among the scientific community are intensifying as the carbon-dioxide (CO2) and methane, which are potential greenhouse gases, get released from these carbon-laden permafrost layers, further exacerbating global warming through a positive feedback mechanism. Underneath the ocean floor, deposits of methane are present in the form of methane hydrates.
However, questions remain concerning the exact quantity of carbon these frozen reserves contain, as well as the rate at which they are defrosting.
Presently, the methane levels in our atmosphere due to thawing permafrost are relatively minor, with a larger portion being traced back to human-induced activities such as agriculture and landfill, along with a smaller fraction naturally emanating from wetlands.
Presently, CO2 emissions are the primary drivers of global warming. However, as the loss of sea ice accelerates the warming of terrestrial and oceanic regions of the Arctic, methane emissions from melting permafrost could potentially play a more significant role in intensifying global warming.
Ocean Circulations Could Change
The melting of Arctic and Greenland ice holds the potential to significantly alter oceanic circulations, particularly the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a major system that transports warm surface water northward from the tropics and contributes to the milder climate of western Europe.
Climate models forecast a reduction in AMOC’s speed by approximately 25% by 2100, attributed mostly to shifts in temperature and precipitation, though the addition of freshwater from melting ice due to climate change might amplify the impact. Some research even indicates a 15% weakening in the AMOC since the mid-20th century.
While the projected decrease in AMOC’s flow may result in a cooler northern hemisphere this century, the predicted warming from greenhouse gases is likely to overshadow this effect.
However, it is important to note that the AMOC is a component of a larger heat distribution conveyor belt around the globe, so the loss of ice could have repercussions on regional climates worldwide.
The AMOC’s strength variations can influence sea ice melt intensity by regulating the quantity of warm surface water conveyed into the area. The interconnections and potential impacts are complex and necessitate further investigation for full comprehension.
Winter Weather
The accelerated melting of Arctic ice, a direct result of rising global temperatures, is believed to have profound impacts on winter weather patterns in the northern hemisphere.
The differential warming rates between the Arctic and more temperate regions lead to significant modifications in pressure and temperature gradients, potentially triggering extreme weather conditions.
One major consequence is the shift in atmospheric circulations, including the jet stream, a high-altitude wind corridor.
Scientists have observed increasing fluctuations in the jet stream’s path, enabling warm air to drift further north, while directing cold air down south into the mid-latitude regions.
These larger wave patterns contribute to slower moving weather systems, thereby increasing the probability of sustained periods of extreme winter chill or summer heat.
While the research field is still developing, initial findings suggest a significant connection between diminishing Arctic sea ice and changes in the climate of the northern hemisphere.
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Coastal Communities
Since 1900, the global average sea level has increased by approximately 7-8 inches, and unfortunately, this trend is worsening. The rising seas pose a significant threat to coastal cities and small island nations, as they intensify coastal flooding and storm surges, further amplifying the impact of severe weather events.
The melting of the Greenland ice sheet is a critical factor in predicting future sea level rise; if it were to completely melt, it could result in a staggering 20-foot increase in global sea levels.
Opening Of Shipping Routes
Melting Arctic ice presents a complex situation with potential worldwide implications, as it paves the way for previously inaccessible shipping routes and unveils untapped fossil fuel reserves.
As Arctic pathways open up and become less circuitous, journey durations may reduce to under three weeks, transforming the Arctic into a viable future alternative to the present southern courses.
Numerous leading shipping corporations are banking on the emergence of these routes to curtail travel times, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.
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However, the escalating thawing of ice raises alarms among environmental organisations. They assert that this trend is likely to encourage a surge in oil and gas exploration.
They contend that such activities not only increase safety risks, particularly given the Arctic’s often harsh conditions, but they also foster greater dependency on fossil fuels. This, in turn, accelerates human-induced climate change, further hastening the decrease of the summer ice cap.
Trying to precisely forecast the ramifications of heightened human presence in the Arctic is challenging. Nonetheless, an increase in the number of individuals residing, labouring, and mining resources in the region will probably necessitate additional infrastructure and could elevate the likelihood of emergencies, demanding rescue or cleanup operations.
While the potential benefits of Arctic melting—like shorter trade routes and access to untapped resources—may seem attractive, it is crucial to balance this against the severe environmental consequences and potential threats to biodiversity and global climate stability.