The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a US government agency responsible for providing accurate and timely information about weather forecasts, climate, oceans, coasts, and outer space exploration, recently released its 18th Annual Arctic Report Card. The report highlights the profound impact of extreme weather and Climate Events on the Arctic.
Understanding the Arctic Report Card
Issued annually since 2006, the Arctic Report Card serves as a peer-reviewed source for clear, reliable, and concise environmental information on the current state of different components of the Arctic environmental system in comparison to historical records.
Key Findings of the Arctic Report Card
Recorded as the warmest summer on record in the Arctic, 2023 saw temperatures nearly four times higher than the global average since 1979 due to climate change. It was also noted as the sixth warmest year in the Arctic region since reliable records began in 1900.
Effects of Rising Temperatures
The rising temperatures resulted in unprecedented wildfires, severe floods, food insecurity, and elevated sea levels. It led to community evacuations, a decline in sea ice extent, and had direct impacts on ecosystems, human health, and cultural practices.
The Thawing of Subsea Permafrost
Warmer ocean temperatures are accelerating the thawing of subsea permafrost, releasing methane and carbon dioxide contributing to global warming and ocean acidification. There’s growing concern about the unknown extent and impact of these released greenhouse gases.
Food Insecurity Due to Salmon Decline
Western Alaska’s Chinook and chum salmon populations experienced a significant fall by 81% and 92% below the 30-year mean resulting in food insecurity among indigenous communities reliant on these fish for sustenance. This has cultural, food security, and economic implications.
Wildfires in Arctic Regions
Canada witnessed its worst wildfire season on record. Over 40% of its land mass considered Arctic and Northern was affected. High temperatures and dry conditions contributed to the burning of over 10 million acres in the Northwest Territories, leading to evacuations and diminished air quality.
Glacier Thinning and Flooding
Rising temperatures have significantly thinned the Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska in the past 20 years. This has led to annual floods in the region caused by melting ice. In August 2023, a glacial lake on a tributary of the Mendenhall Glacier burst its ice dam causing unprecedented flooding and severe property damage in Alaska’s Juneau.
Greenland Ice Sheet Melting
Greenland’s ice sheet experienced melting for only the fifth time in the 34-year record. Despite above-average winter snow accumulation, the ice sheet continued to lose mass between August 2022 and September 2023, losing roughly 350 trillion pounds. Greenland’s ice sheet melting is the second-largest contributor to sea-level rise.
About the Arctic
The Arctic, located at the northernmost part of Earth, consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Alaska (United States), Canada, Finland, Greenland (Denmark), Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden. Seasonally varying snow and ice cover characterize the land within the Arctic region.
The article concludes by presenting previous year questions related to the Arctic from the UPSC Civil Services Examination for reference and practice.
