In a recent study, it was found that parts of the Arctic region close to Norway have been undergoing a warming trend at a rate seven times quicker than the rest of the world. More specifically, the area near the northern Barents Sea is experiencing warming at two to two-and-a-half times the overall Arctic average and five to seven times that of the rest of the globe. This level of warming in the Arctic is unparalleled and has led to the emergence of a phenomenon termed ‘Atlantification’.
Understanding the Barents Sea and Atlantification
Bordering the Norwegian and Greenland Sea on the west, the Arctic Sea on the north, and the Kara Sea on the east, the Barents Sea is shared by Russia and Norway under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In this region, scientists have located ‘hotspots’ where certain parts of the Barents Sea are beginning to closely resemble the Atlantic, hence the term ‘Atlantification’.
The waters of the Atlantic Ocean are transported into the Arctic Ocean via the Barents Sea by north-flowing ocean currents. Unlike the Atlantic and Pacific, the upper waters of the Eurasian Arctic Ocean get warmer as they dive deeper into the sea. The top layer of the ocean is usually covered by sea ice, with a cooler freshwater layer beneath, followed by a deeper, warmer layer of saltwater carried into the Arctic from the Atlantic.
Data from NASA indicates that since the early 1980s, the overall area covered by sea ice in this region has fallen by nearly 50%. As less sea ice is present, the freshwater layer above the warm Atlantic layer dwindles. Consequently, the ocean mixes together more, drawing more Atlantic warmth towards the surface, thereby accelerating the process of Atlantification. This process, driven by human-induced climate change, can potentially trigger further ice melt from below and have significant impacts on weather patterns, ocean circulation, and the entire Arctic ecosystem.
Consequences of the Warming
The warming trend in the Arctic region can lead to an array of climatic and ecological consequences. It can result in more extreme weather in North America, Europe, and Asia. The exposure of the ocean surface caused by melting sea ice absorbs more energy than the ice, thereby enhancing the warming effect and creating a feedback loop. This Arctic warming has been linked to increased incidences of lightning strikes, which have risen eightfold in the last decade. Additionally, the warming has influenced marine ecosystems, leading to a northward shift and increase in Atlantic fish species and a reduction in Arctic fish species.
Impact on Weather Events
The Barents Sea’s warming also contributed to the ‘Beast from the East’ snowfall event across Europe in 2018. An estimated 140 gigatonnes of water evaporated from the Barents Sea, contributing 88% of the snowfall during this event. Additionally, the unusual weather south of the Arctic, including heatwaves in India, has been attributed to the region’s warming through changes in the Arctic jet stream.
Way Forward
Given that the Arctic Sea ice serves as an indicator of the health of the global environment, it is crucial for nations across the globe to commit to substantial climate action such as COP 21 to curtail global temperatures. The Arctic Council must focus more determinedly on addressing issues like global warming, melting sea ice, plastic pollution, and black carbon. It’s essential to back companies and politicians who are leading the way towards a sustainable, low-carbon future.
UPSC Civil Services Examination
A previous year question from the UPSC Civil Services Examination asked about the potential impacts of global temperature increases beyond 3°C above the pre-industrial level. The answers revolved around terrestrial biosphere trends, coral mortality, disappearance of global wetlands, and cultivation of cereals. The correct answer was identified as options 1 and 2. The reasoning explained that increased temperatures would lead to rising sea levels, loss of plant species, damage to the Amazon rainforest, and increased coral mortality. It was noted that wetlands can be restored and would not disappear permanently. Similarly, cereal cultivation might see a variation in production rather than extinction.
