ARCTIC SEA ICE LOSS – ENVIRONMENT
News: Inevitability of Arctic Sea ice loss
What is in the news?
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A recent study in the
Nature journal says that the loss of Arctic Sea ice is inevitable in the
decades ahead, even if the world somehow gets its act together and sharply
reduces carbon emissions.
Implications of Arctic Sea ice loss:
1. Feedback loop effect:
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As the amount of sea ice
decreases, the Arctic region’s cooling effect is reduced, and this may initiate
a ‘feedback loop’ whereby ocean warming caused by more absorption of solar
energy leads to an even greater loss of sea ice and further warming.
2.
Biodiversity loss:
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Changes in sea ice can
affect biodiversity and impact mammals such as polar bears and walruses, which
rely on the presence of sea ice for hunting, breeding, and migrating.
3. Albedo effect:
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Sea ice is light coloured
and therefore reflects more sunlight back to space than liquid water, thus
playing a vital role in keeping polar regions cool and maintaining the earth’s
energy balance.
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Sea ice loss will reduce the albedo effect in the region
which further aggravates the sea ice loss.
4. Affects livelihood of locals:
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The reduction in ice
cover also affects the traditional
subsistence hunting lifestyle of indigenous Arctic populations such as the
Yup’ik, Iñupiat, and Inuit.
5. Exploitation of natural resources:
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Reduced ice can present “commercial and economic opportunities”
with the opening up of shipping lanes and increased access to natural resources
in the Arctic region.
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This can lead to the
commercial exploitation of natural resources in the region.
6. Permafrost Thaw:
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Arctic sea ice loss is
linked to the thawing of permafrost—the permanently frozen ground in the
Arctic. Thawing permafrost releases large amounts of greenhouse gasses like
methane and carbon dioxide, further contributing to global warming.
7. Changes in Ocean Circulation:
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The melting ice can alter
ocean circulation patterns, such as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning
Circulation (AMOC), which plays a crucial role in redistributing heat around
the globe.
Initiatives to protect the Arctic Sea ice:
1. MOSAiC expedition:
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The Multidisciplinary
Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) expedition is the
largest expedition into the central Arctic exploring the Arctic climate system.
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The MOSAiC will be the
all-year-round operation.
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The MOSAiC expedition
will take the closest look ever at the Arctic as the epicenter of global
warming.
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Its goal is to gain fundamental insights that are key to better
understanding global climate change.
2. Arctic council:
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The Arctic council was
established to protect the Arctic environment and promote the economies and
social and cultural well-being of the indigenous people whose organizations are
permanent participants in the council.
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India
is one of the member countries.
3. International Arctic science committee:
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The International Arctic
Science Committee (IASC) is a non-governmental, international scientific
organization
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IASC promotes and
supports leading-edge interdisciplinary research in order to foster a greater
scientific understanding of the Arctic region and its role in the Earth system.
4. India’s initiatives:
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India has a permanent
research station exclusively for the Arctic region named Himadri.
WAY FORWARD:
1. Reducing Greenhouse Gas emission:
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Countries need to commit
to ambitious emission reduction targets and transition to clean and renewable
energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
2. Separate Arctic treaty:
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Diplomacy and
international agreements, such as the Paris
Agreement, are essential for setting emission reduction goals and fostering
collaboration on research, monitoring, and adaptation efforts.
3. Long-term Vision and Commitment:
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Addressing Arctic Sea ice
loss is a long-term endeavor. Governments, businesses, and individuals need to
commit to sustained efforts and stay dedicated to the cause even when faced
with challenges.
4. Research promotion:
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International cooperation
to conduct research in the Arctic Ocean region is a better way.
5. Special protection system:
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This includes creating marine protected areas, establishing wildlife reserves, and implementing
regulations to limit human impacts on fragile habitats.