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Climate change and polar regions

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AkShay Prabhakar

The effect of human ecological footprint is not only limited to tropical and temperate regions but we can also see climate changes in polar regions despite the fact that there is very less human interference but still the consequences are disastrous.

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Climate change in the Polar Regions: What the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) 4th AssessmentReporthas found: ï‚· For several decades, surface air temperatures in the Arctic have warmed at approximately twice the global rate. In both polar regions, climate change will lead to decreases in habitat (including sea ice) for migratory birds and mammals with major implications for predators such as seals and polar bears Reproductive success in polar bears has declined,resulting in a drop in bodycondition, which in turn is due to melting arctic sea ice. Without ice, polar bears cannot hunt their favorite prey, seals. ï‚· Change in composition and range of plants and animals on the Antarctic Peninsula and on the sub-Antarctic islands. Increase in the overall greenness of parts of the Arctic and also in the Antarctic Peninsula Changes in position of the northern limit of trees. Increase in biological productivity and change in species ranges (e.g., shifts from tundra to shrublands). ï‚· The pole-ward migration of existing species and competition from invading species (will continue to alter species composition and abundance. Associated vulnerabilities pertain to biodiversity and the spread of animal-transmitted diseases beyond the Arctic) Observed hydrologic and cryospheric changes impacts on Arctic freshwater, riparian and near-shore marine systems. ï‚· The retreat of arctic sea ice over recent decades has led to improved marine access, changes in coastal ecology/biological production, adverse effects on many ice-dependent marine mammals and increased coastal wave action Warming of areas of the northern polar oceans has had a negative impact on community composition, biomass and distribution of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Projections of change agree that retreat of glaciers will continue across arctic glaciers, with a consequent impact on global sea level Climate change and Polar regions.
Climate change is amplified in the polar regions. The Earth’s north and south extremities are crucial for regulating our planet’s climate and are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of global warming. The effects of climate change are already being felt by wildlife and habitats in polar regions. For example, polar bears in the north and Adelie penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula in the south, are already declining in number as the summer sea ice retreat has significantly increased. Polar bear swimming: Polar bears have less space to share, and food is harder to come by as they hunt on the sea ice, this affects breeding patterns and numbers. And this decline will continue the more global temperatures rise. But the effect of climate change on the poles also has very serious consequences for people and wildlife all across the world. Climate change in the Arctic: Climate change is having a bigger and faster impact on the Arctic than previously predicted.Average air temperatures in the region have increased by about 5°C over the last 100 years. Polar bear on Arctic ice: Decreasing summer sea ice: Recent data supports the view held by many polar scientists that there’ll be almost no summer sea ice cover left in the Arctic in the next few decades. This has severe implications – not just loss of habitat that polar bears and seals depend on, and knock-on effects on local people, but also dramatic changes to the entire northern hemisphere. Impacts of an ice-free Arctic: An open, ice-free Arctic Ocean will attract more shipping and commercial exploitation, and result in more pollution. The Arctic holds the world’s largest remaining untapped gas reserves and some of its largest undeveloped oil reserves. The lack of a reflective ice shield will also result in even fasterwarming, and acidification, of the seas – and acceleration of global climate change.
How is the Arctic affected by climate change? Climate change is faster and more severe in the Arctic than in most of the rest of the world. The Arctic is warming at a rate of almost twice the global average. Summer sea ice is disappearing: The sea ice that is a critical component of Arctic marine ecosystems is projected to disappear in the summer within a generation.  Arctic sea ice has decreased 14% since the 1970s.  In 2012, Arctic sea ice extent hit the lowest level ever recorded, breaking the previous record set in 2007.  By 2040, summer sea ice could be limited to the northern coast of Greenland and Canada. This is the Last Ice Area. The Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the world. Why? Shiny ice and snow reflect a high proportion of the sun's energy into space. As the Arctic loses snow and ice, bare rock and water absorb more and more of the sun’s energy, making it ever warmer. This is called the albedo effect. A small temperature shift can have enormous implications: Even an increase of 2°C could be too much. A slight shift in temperature, bringing averages above the freezing point, will completely alter the character of the region. As snow and ice melt, the ability of the Arctic to reflectheat back to space is reduced, accelerating the overall rate of global warming. Some Arctic fisheries will likely disappear. We are likely to see more forest fires and storm damage to coastal communities in the Arctic. Glaciers, sea ice and tundra will melt, contributing to global sea level rises. A warmer Arctic could halt the Gulf Stream, which brings warmer water and weather to north-western Europe.
Acidic oceans threaten Arctic life: Due to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the world's oceans are 30% more acidic now than before the industrial revolution. Cold oceans,like those in the Arctic, are acidifying twice as fast as average. Acidic water interferes with the development of coral reefs and the shells of oysters, crabs, snails and plankton, just to name a few. BY THE NUMBERS 1 METRE Expected rise in sea level by 2100, due to melting ice 5°C Air temperature increase over the last 100 years. 14% Decrease in Arctic sea ice extent since the 1970s. 2040 Summer sea ice likely limited to the northern coasts of Canada and Greenland 2080 Arctic summer sea ice is expected to disappear completely. 2100 Arctic temperatures as high as 7° C above pre-industrial levels* Based on current international pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Copenhagen Accord. Why it matters: Arctic change affects everyone Climate change in the Arctic is not just a localproblem --it's a globalproblem. The feedbacks from the Arctic are increasing global sea levels, they are predicted to change global climate and precipitationpatterns, and the effects of climate change on Arctic species are likely to be felt globally.
Climate change in Antarctica: The Antarctic ice sheet is the largest single mass of ice on Earth. It covers almost 14 million sq km and contains 30 million cubic km of ice – accounting for around 90% of all fresh water on the Earth’s surface. Melting ice in the Antarctic: This ice plays a vitally important role in influencing the world’s climate, reflecting backthe sun’s energyand helping to regulate globaltemperatures. Sea level rise: Parts of the west Antarctic Peninsula are among the fastest-warming places on Earth. Although the Antarctic ice sheets are unlikely to melt entirely, even small-scale melting is likely to have significant effects on global sea level rise. Effects on sea life: Warming seas are also bad news for sea life, including tiny krill – which in turn will have a drastic impact on their predators, such as penguins and whales.

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Climate change and polar regions

  • 1. Climate change in the Polar Regions: What the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) 4th AssessmentReporthas found: ï‚· For several decades, surface air temperatures in the Arctic have warmed at approximately twice the global rate. In both polar regions, climate change will lead to decreases in habitat (including sea ice) for migratory birds and mammals with major implications for predators such as seals and polar bears Reproductive success in polar bears has declined,resulting in a drop in bodycondition, which in turn is due to melting arctic sea ice. Without ice, polar bears cannot hunt their favorite prey, seals. ï‚· Change in composition and range of plants and animals on the Antarctic Peninsula and on the sub-Antarctic islands. Increase in the overall greenness of parts of the Arctic and also in the Antarctic Peninsula Changes in position of the northern limit of trees. Increase in biological productivity and change in species ranges (e.g., shifts from tundra to shrublands). ï‚· The pole-ward migration of existing species and competition from invading species (will continue to alter species composition and abundance. Associated vulnerabilities pertain to biodiversity and the spread of animal-transmitted diseases beyond the Arctic) Observed hydrologic and cryospheric changes impacts on Arctic freshwater, riparian and near-shore marine systems. ï‚· The retreat of arctic sea ice over recent decades has led to improved marine access, changes in coastal ecology/biological production, adverse effects on many ice-dependent marine mammals and increased coastal wave action Warming of areas of the northern polar oceans has had a negative impact on community composition, biomass and distribution of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Projections of change agree that retreat of glaciers will continue across arctic glaciers, with a consequent impact on global sea level Climate change and Polar regions.
  • 2. Climate change is amplified in the polar regions. The Earth’s north and south extremities are crucial for regulating our planet’s climate and are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of global warming. The effects of climate change are already being felt by wildlife and habitats in polar regions. For example, polar bears in the north and Adelie penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula in the south, are already declining in number as the summer sea ice retreat has significantly increased. Polar bear swimming: Polar bears have less space to share, and food is harder to come by as they hunt on the sea ice, this affects breeding patterns and numbers. And this decline will continue the more global temperatures rise. But the effect of climate change on the poles also has very serious consequences for people and wildlife all across the world. Climate change in the Arctic: Climate change is having a bigger and faster impact on the Arctic than previously predicted.Average air temperatures in the region have increased by about 5°C over the last 100 years. Polar bear on Arctic ice: Decreasing summer sea ice: Recent data supports the view held by many polar scientists that there’ll be almost no summer sea ice cover left in the Arctic in the next few decades. This has severe implications – not just loss of habitat that polar bears and seals depend on, and knock-on effects on local people, but also dramatic changes to the entire northern hemisphere. Impacts of an ice-free Arctic: An open, ice-free Arctic Ocean will attract more shipping and commercial exploitation, and result in more pollution. The Arctic holds the world’s largest remaining untapped gas reserves and some of its largest undeveloped oil reserves. The lack of a reflective ice shield will also result in even fasterwarming, and acidification, of the seas – and acceleration of global climate change.
  • 3. How is the Arctic affected by climate change? Climate change is faster and more severe in the Arctic than in most of the rest of the world. The Arctic is warming at a rate of almost twice the global average. Summer sea ice is disappearing: The sea ice that is a critical component of Arctic marine ecosystems is projected to disappear in the summer within a generation. ï‚· Arctic sea ice has decreased 14% since the 1970s. ï‚· In 2012, Arctic sea ice extent hit the lowest level ever recorded, breaking the previous record set in 2007. ï‚· By 2040, summer sea ice could be limited to the northern coast of Greenland and Canada. This is the Last Ice Area. The Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the world. Why? Shiny ice and snow reflect a high proportion of the sun's energy into space. As the Arctic loses snow and ice, bare rock and water absorb more and more of the sun’s energy, making it ever warmer. This is called the albedo effect. A small temperature shift can have enormous implications: Even an increase of 2°C could be too much. A slight shift in temperature, bringing averages above the freezing point, will completely alter the character of the region. As snow and ice melt, the ability of the Arctic to reflectheat back to space is reduced, accelerating the overall rate of global warming. Some Arctic fisheries will likely disappear. We are likely to see more forest fires and storm damage to coastal communities in the Arctic. Glaciers, sea ice and tundra will melt, contributing to global sea level rises. A warmer Arctic could halt the Gulf Stream, which brings warmer water and weather to north-western Europe.
  • 4. Acidic oceans threaten Arctic life: Due to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the world's oceans are 30% more acidic now than before the industrial revolution. Cold oceans,like those in the Arctic, are acidifying twice as fast as average. Acidic water interferes with the development of coral reefs and the shells of oysters, crabs, snails and plankton, just to name a few. BY THE NUMBERS 1 METRE Expected rise in sea level by 2100, due to melting ice 5°C Air temperature increase over the last 100 years. 14% Decrease in Arctic sea ice extent since the 1970s. 2040 Summer sea ice likely limited to the northern coasts of Canada and Greenland 2080 Arctic summer sea ice is expected to disappear completely. 2100 Arctic temperatures as high as 7° C above pre-industrial levels* Based on current international pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Copenhagen Accord. Why it matters: Arctic change affects everyone Climate change in the Arctic is not just a localproblem --it's a globalproblem. The feedbacks from the Arctic are increasing global sea levels, they are predicted to change global climate and precipitationpatterns, and the effects of climate change on Arctic species are likely to be felt globally.
  • 5. Climate change in Antarctica: The Antarctic ice sheet is the largest single mass of ice on Earth. It covers almost 14 million sq km and contains 30 million cubic km of ice – accounting for around 90% of all fresh water on the Earth’s surface. Melting ice in the Antarctic: This ice plays a vitally important role in influencing the world’s climate, reflecting backthe sun’s energyand helping to regulate globaltemperatures. Sea level rise: Parts of the west Antarctic Peninsula are among the fastest-warming places on Earth. Although the Antarctic ice sheets are unlikely to melt entirely, even small-scale melting is likely to have significant effects on global sea level rise. Effects on sea life: Warming seas are also bad news for sea life, including tiny krill – which in turn will have a drastic impact on their predators, such as penguins and whales.