Recently, The National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) reported a significant decrease in Arctic Sea ice, marking the steepest decline observed over the past 41 years. The key reason for this phenomenon is global warming, which has led to increased evaporation, rising air humidity, expanded cloud cover, and heightened rainfall at the local level.
Origins and Extent of Sea Ice
Sea ice originates when seawater freezes. Given that ice is less dense than water, it floats on the ocean’s surface. Sea ice covers approximately 7% of the Earth’s surface and about 12% of the global oceans.
The Rising Pace of Sea Ice Decline
In the last four decades spanning from 1979 to 2018, the rate of sea ice decline stood at 4.7% per decade. However, a stark acceleration was observed in July 2019, with the decline rate surging to 13%. This critical observation pointed out that winter ice formation is failing to keep up with summer ice loss. Current predictions warn that if the trend persists, there will be no Arctic sea ice remaining by 2050.
Impact of the Declining Sea ice
The shrinking Arctic Sea ice area and the lengthened summers and autumn seasons have had notable effects on local weather patterns and climatic conditions over the Arctic Ocean and its surrounding seas. As sea ice acts as a sensitive barometer of climate change, its decline could impact other aspects of the climate system, such as reducing the exchange of heat, water vapour, and other materials between the atmosphere and the ocean. This has led to record high-temperature increases in the northern hemisphere, particularly during the spring and summer months.
About the National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research
Established in 1998 as an autonomous Research and Development institution under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, The National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) is situated in Goa. Initially known as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), the NCPOR serves as India’s primary R&D institution for conducting research in Polar and Southern Ocean realms. It coordinates and executes all polar and southern ocean scientific research in the country, handling every aspect from planning to logistics.
Navigating the Future
The rapid loss of sea ice at such a high rate raises significant concerns for life on Earth. Therefore, striking a balance between human activity and the environmental carrying capacity has become an immediate and crucial step.