Polar Ice melt Impact on Monsoon Patterns and economy

Syllabus: Geography

Source: TH

Context: A recent study reveals that declining Arctic sea ice affects Indian monsoon patterns.

How does Arctic sea ice affect Indian monsoon patterns?

Declining Arctic sea ice influences Indian monsoon patterns through changes in atmospheric circulation:

• Central Arctic Ice Reduction: Less sea ice leads to more heat being transferred from the ocean to the atmosphere, which strengthens Rossby waves (air currents high in the atmosphere). This creates high pressure over northwest India and low pressure over the Mediterranean, shifting the Asian jet stream and causing more rainfall in northern and central India, but less in western and peninsular regions.

• Barents-Kara Sea Ice Reduction: Reduced sea ice in this region causes higher pressure over northwest Europe and alters atmospheric stability over Asia. This results in increased rainfall in northeastern India and less in central and northwest India due to shifts in the subtropical easterly jet and high surface temperatures in the Arabian Sea.

About melting of Arctic and Antarctic ice:

The melting of Arctic and Antarctic ice is a significant indicator and driver of climate change, with far-reaching impacts on the global climate, marine ecosystems, and economies. The rapid loss of polar ice, accelerated by global warming, is not just a regional concern but a global one, with implications that are complex and interconnected.

Impact of Arctic and Antarctic ice melting

• Impacts on Climate

• 1. Rise in Sea Levels: Melting polar ice contributes to global sea level rise, threatening coastal communities. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports significant sea level rise projections for the coming decades.

• 2. Albedo Effect Reduction: Ice reflects sunlight; its loss leads to the absorption of more solar radiation, further warming the planet.

• 3. Disruption of Ocean Currents: Freshwater from melting ice can disrupt thermohaline circulation, affecting global climate patterns.

• 4. Release of Greenhouse Gases: Melting permafrost in the Arctic releases trapped methane, a potent greenhouse gas, exacerbating global warming.

• 5. Increased Weather Extremes: Polar ice melt influences jet streams, contributing to extreme weather events worldwide.

• Impacts on Marine Life

• 1. Habitat Loss for Species: Polar bears and penguins face habitat loss, impacting their populations and distribution.

• 2. Changes in Marine Ecosystems: Altered temperature and salinity levels affect marine biodiversity, including plankton—the base of the oceanic food chain.

• 3. Ocean Acidification: Increased CO2 absorption by oceans leads to acidification, harming marine life, particularly shell-forming species.

• 4. Disruption of Food Chains: Changing ice conditions affect the availability of algae and krill, essential for many marine species.

• 5. Increased Predation and Competition: As ice-dependent species migrate or decline, it alters the balance of marine ecosystems, leading to increased competition and predation.

• Impacts on Global Economy

• 1. Coastal Infrastructure and Housing: Rising sea levels threaten coastal infrastructure, requiring massive investments in adaptation.

• 2. Impact on Fisheries: Changes in marine ecosystems affect fish stocks, impacting global fisheries and dependent economies.

• 3. Increased Insurance Costs: Extreme weather events lead to higher insurance costs for businesses and governments.

• 4. New Shipping Routes: Melting ice opens up new shipping routes in the Arctic, altering global trade patterns.

• 5. Agricultural Changes: Altered weather patterns influence agricultural productivity, affecting food prices and security.

Case Study: Greenland Ice Sheet Melting and its Global Implications

The Greenland Ice Sheet, one of the largest ice masses on Earth, has been experiencing accelerated melting in recent years.

Context and Current Situation: The Greenland Ice Sheet covers about 80% of Greenland’s surface.

Recent studies, including those referenced by the IPCC, indicate that Greenland is losing ice at an unprecedented rate.

Global Climate Impacts: According to NASA, Greenland’s ice loss is responsible for about 25% of the total global sea level rise.

Weather Pattern Alterations: The freshwater influx from Greenland’s melting ice is suspected to impact ocean currents and, in turn, global weather patterns.

Marine Life Impacts: The influx of fresh meltwater affects ocean salinity, which can disrupt marine ecosystems, particularly in the North Atlantic.

Impact on Fisheries: Changes in water temperature and salinity due to the influx of fresh water can affect fish populations, impacting fisheries in the North Atlantic.

Economic Impacts:

Cost of Coastal Adaptation: The sea level rise influenced by Greenland’s melting demands significant adaptation costs for coastal cities worldwide.

Fishing Industry Changes: The fishing industry, particularly in the North Atlantic, faces potential changes in fish migration patterns and stock availability.

Recent Developments and Global Response: There has been an increased focus on monitoring Greenland’s ice loss through satellite missions like NASA’s ICESat-2.

International efforts, such as those under the UNFCCC, are crucial in addressing the root causes of climate change contributing to the ice melt.

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*Suggestions*

• Mitigating Climate change : International Agreements: Strengthening commitments under the Paris Agreement. For example, countries increasing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce emissions. Renewable Energy Initiatives: Germany’s Energiewende program, which aims to transition to renewable energy, serves as a model for reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

• International Agreements: Strengthening commitments under the Paris Agreement. For example, countries increasing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce emissions.

• Renewable Energy Initiatives: Germany’s Energiewende program, which aims to transition to renewable energy, serves as a model for reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

• Protecting Marine Ecosystems Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): The establishment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Australia demonstrates effective conservation of marine biodiversity. Sustainable Fishing Practices: Norway’s implementation of sustainable fishing quotas and strict regulations to protect fish stocks.

• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): The establishment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Australia demonstrates effective conservation of marine biodiversity.

• Sustainable Fishing Practices: Norway’s implementation of sustainable fishing quotas and strict regulations to protect fish stocks.

• Adapting Coastal Infrastructure Flood Defense Systems: The Netherlands’ Delta Works, a series of dams and storm surge barriers, exemplify advanced coastal protection infrastructure. Managed Retreat Strategies: The planned relocation of the Alaskan village of Newtok due to rising sea levels is an example of managed retreat.

• Flood Defense Systems: The Netherlands’ Delta Works, a series of dams and storm surge barriers, exemplify advanced coastal protection infrastructure.

• Managed Retreat Strategies: The planned relocation of the Alaskan village of Newtok due to rising sea levels is an example of managed retreat.

• Promoting Sustainable Economic Practices Circular Economy Models: Japan’s focus on recycling and waste reduction under the concept of a “Sound Material-Cycle Society.” Green Bonds and Sustainable Investments: The issuance of green bonds, such as those by the World Bank, to fund environmental projects.

• Circular Economy Models: Japan’s focus on recycling and waste reduction under the concept of a “Sound Material-Cycle Society.”

• Green Bonds and Sustainable Investments: The issuance of green bonds, such as those by the World Bank, to fund environmental projects.

• Scientific Research and Monitoring Polar Research Programs: The European Space Agency’s CryoSat mission, monitoring polar ice and snow, contributes valuable data on ice melt and sea level rise. Climate Research Institutes: The Scripps Institution of Oceanography in the USA conducts cutting-edge research on climate change and its impacts.

• Polar Research Programs: The European Space Agency’s CryoSat mission, monitoring polar ice and snow, contributes valuable data on ice melt and sea level rise.

• Climate Research Institutes: The Scripps Institution of Oceanography in the USA conducts cutting-edge research on climate change and its impacts.

Conclusion

• The melting of Arctic and Antarctic ice poses serious challenges to our global climate system, marine ecosystems, and economies. However, these challenges also present opportunities to foster global cooperation, advance scientific understanding, and implement innovative solutions.

• Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach, combining mitigation, adaptation, and sustainable development strategies. Through collective efforts and commitment to sustainable practices, it is possible to mitigate the impacts of ice melting and pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable future.

Insta Link:

• What is happening to Arctic Sea ice?

Mains Link:

• How do the melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers of the Antarctic differently affect the weather patterns and human activities on the Earth? Explain. (2021)

• What are the economic significances of the discovery of oil in the Arctic Sea and its possible environmental consequences? (2015)

Prelims Link:

The term ‘IndARC’, sometimes seen in the news, is the name of (USPC 2015)

(a) an indigenously developed radar system inducted into the Indian Defence

(b) India’s satellite to provide services to the countries of the Indian Ocean Rim

(d) India’s underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region

Ans: D