The phenomenon of glacial melt, which became increasingly evident throughout the 20th century, is causing the planet to become ice-free. The main factor contributing to this problem is human activity, in particular the release of carbon dioxide and other gases that drive global warming. The evolution of these large masses of recrystallized snow is fundamental both for sea level and for global stability. For more than fifty years, the Earth's glaciers have been silently retreating in response to the relentless progression of climate change.
In this article we are going to tell you the consequences of melting arctic ice.
Development of a glacier
Large masses of moving ice form when snow accumulates in cold regions and then compacts and recrystallizes. This process is exemplified by mountain glaciers and polar glaciers, which should not be confused with the immense ice sheets found in the Arctic. Glaciers can be classified according to their morphology. (such as an ice field, cirque glacier or valley glacier), as well as by the climate (polar, tropical or temperate) or by the thermal conditions (cold, hot or polythermal base).
The development of a glacier is a process that lasts thousands of years and whose dimensions depend on the amount of ice it retains over time. The movement of these ice masses is very similar to that of rivers, as glaciers contribute to river systems during periods of melting. Their speed is determined by the friction they encounter and the slope of the terrain they advance through. Glaciers cover approximately 10% of the Earth's surface and, together with ice sheets, They represent almost 70% of the planet's freshwater resources.
Factors contributing to glacier melting
Rising temperatures on Earth have undoubtedly contributed to the historic melting of glaciers. Today, the rapid progression of climate change threatens to eliminate these ice formations in unprecedented time frames. Below is a detailed analysis of the factors contributing to glacier melting:
- The concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere, arising from human activities such as industrial processes, transportation, deforestation and fossil fuel combustion, contributes to global warming and the melting of glaciers.
- Ocean warming is a critical phenomenon, since the oceans absorb 90% of the Earth's excess heat, which significantly influences the melting of marine glaciers, particularly in the polar regions and along the coasts of Alaska (United States).
- Climate change is being driven by global warming, resulting in the melting of the polar ice caps. About 13% of Arctic sea ice is disappearing every decade, and over the past 30 years, There has been a remarkable 95% reduction in the oldest and thickest ice in the Arctic region.
If emissions continue to rise unchecked, the Arctic could be ice-free by the summer of 2040. However, the consequences of changes in the Arctic extend far beyond its geographic boundaries. Declining sea ice has significant and widespread global implications.
Consequences of the melting of the Arctic
Weather conditions
The Arctic and Antarctica function as the planet's refrigerators. Their extensive coverage of white snow and ice allows them to reflect heat back into space, thereby maintaining a balance with other heat-absorbing regions of the world. A reduction in ice results in less heat reflection, leading to an increase in the intensity of heat waves globally. In addition, this phenomenon contributes to more severe winters: the polar jet stream, a high-pressure wind that circles the Arctic, is destabilized by warmer air, causing it to shift south and usher in frigid temperatures.
Communities along the coast
Since 1900, Global mean sea level has risen by 17-20 cm and continues to worsen. Coastal cities and small island countries face increased risks from rising sea levels, which intensify coastal flooding and storm surges, making extreme weather events even more dangerous. Melting glaciers on the Greenland Ice Sheet serve as a proxy for sea level rise; if the Greenland Ice Sheet were to melt completely, global sea levels are projected to rise by 6 meters.
Food
Crops that underpin global food systems are already suffering significant damage due to polar vortices, increasing heat waves and erratic weather patterns resulting from ice loss. This instability is bound to lead to higher prices for everyone and to intensify crises for the most vulnerable populations around the world.
Transport
As the ice melts, new shipping routes are emerging in the Arctic. While these routes present an attractive opportunity for rapid transport, they pose significant dangers. An increase in shipwrecks or catastrophes can be expected. oil spills similar to the Exxon Valdez disaster in regions that are difficult for rescue or clean-up crews to access.
Wildlife
As sea ice extent declines, the survival of species that depend on this habitat requires adaptation or leads to extinction. Ice loss and melting permafrost pose significant challenges for polar bears, walruses, arctic foxes, snowy owls, reindeer and many other species, including humans. Increasingly, wildlife and human populations are encountering each other, often leading to conflict, as animals migrate to areas of the Arctic seeking refuge from the disappearance of their sea ice environment.
Permanently frozen ground
Large amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas that plays a major role in climate change, are stored in Arctic ice and permafrost, which is defined as ground that remains permanently frozen. The melting of these areas produces the release of methane, which accelerates the warming process. This phenomenon subsequently leads to further thawing or melting of ice and permafrost, which in turn releases additional methane, perpetuating the thawing cycle. As the rate of ice loss increases and permafrost degradation accelerates, the most alarming predictions regarding climate change are likely to unfold.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the consequences of the melting of the Arctic ice.