Headline: Decline of Arctic Sea Ice: Six Ways Loss of Frozen
Seawater Could Affect Humans
Summary/Meta Description: The Arctic sea ice plays a crucial role in maintaining the
temperature of the Earth, and its gradual decline due to global warming has been shown to bring
adverse effects to humans. Read the article to find out more.
Keywords: Arctic sea ice, seawater, climate change
Content:
Polar ice caps continue to melt as global warming causes climate change. Studies reveal that we
are losing Arctic sea ice at a rate of almost 13% every decade. Over the past 30 years, the oldest
and thickest ice in the Arctic region has declined by 95%.
If human activities such as carbon dioxide emission continue to rise unchecked, the Arctic is
expected to be ice-free in the summer by 2024. More surprisingly, the consequences of this
phenomenon do not stay in the Arctic, since the loss of frozen seawater has far-reaching impacts
all around the world.
1. Extreme Temperatures
Both the Arctic and the Antarctic regions serve as the world’s refrigerator. Since they are
covered in white ice which reflects heat back into space, they balance out other parts of
the planet which absorb heat. Having less ice means less heat is reflected, leading to more
intense heat waves around the globe. This also means that more extreme winters can be
expected since the polar jet stream is destabilized by warmer air, forcing it to dip south
while carrying bitter cold wind.
2. Melting of Permafrost
Sea ice and permafrost in the Arctic region store large amounts of methane, a greenhouse
gas which contributes to climate change. When these frozen water are thawed, the stored
methane is released and increases the rate of global warming. As a result, it causes more
ice and permafrost to melt, releasing more methane and causing more melting.
3. Threat to Coastal Communities
Since 1900, the global average sea level has risen by 7-8 inches, and it is still getting
worse. Rising seas threaten coastal cities and small island nations by causing floods and
storm surge in coastal areas. The melting of the ice sheet in Greenland serves as a major
predictor of future rise of sea levels. If it melts completely, global sea levels could rise for
up to 20 feet.
READ ALSO: Loss of Arctic Sea Ice Due to Dipole Reversal: How Does North Atlantic
Waters Affect Polar Climate
4. Food crisis
Increased heat waves, polar vortexes, and unpredictable weather patterns caused by the
loss of Arctic sea ice can lead to significant damage to crops where the global food
systems depend. Such instability can continue and can lead to higher prices of basic
commodities.
5. Endangered Wildlife
Less sea ice does not only harm humans but also animals that depend on it for survival.
Continuous loss of sea ice in the Arctic region is a major threat to arctic foxes, walruses,
polar bears, snowy owls, reindeers, and many other species. If these species become
endangered due to the destruction of their habitat, the other species in the upper level of
the food chain will also be affected.
In addition to the effect on the food chain, loss of habitat for wildlife means that they will
have frequent encounters with humans. There are reports that wildlife encroach on Arctic
communities as they look for refuge while their ice habitat disappears.
6. Dangerous Shipping Routes
As Arctic sea ice melts, new shipping routes open up in the region. Cargo vessels might
be tempted to cross them as they can save time, but they are incredibly dangerous.
RELATED ARTICLE: Arctic Sea Ice Recovery From the Effects of Climate Change is
Impossible
Check out more news and information on Arctic Sea Ice in Science Times.
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