Analysis Of DTE Magazine: Ice Free Arctic

Introduction

• Planet Earth has been changing against the backdrop of a warming world.
• The shrinking sea-ice in the Arctic is not only a sign of climate change, it is causing the planet to warm more quickly.
• This is because more sunlight is being absorbed by the darker ocean, rather than being reflected back into space.
• Arctic sea-ice plays an important role in controlling the planet’s temperature, and any problem with this natural thermostat is a cause for concern.

India’s Presence in Arctic

• India’s presence in the Arctic is more benign, with a small research base named Himadri in Norway. Since 2013, the country is also an observer to the Arctic Council.

What is Arctic Council

• It is a forum of eight nations surrounding the Arctic.
• The council came into existence in the 1996 Ottawa Convention, and its members are Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the US.
• The Russia-Ukraine war has thrown the coun- cil’s future into uncertainty.

Impact Of Global Warming on Arctic

• The effects of global warming are more prominent in the Arctic than Antarctica.
• This is because of the substantial northward alignment of continents, especially those emitting the most green- house gases (North America, Europe and Asia).
• This has two implications; first, the region gets heat- ed up much faster than Antarc-warm.
• Additionally, there is also the so-called Arctic Haze, a brown haze visible in the spring.
• Studies have confirmed that it is caused by industrial activities in the Northern hemisphere—especially coal burning.
• A 2021 study by the Finnish Meteorological Institute also detected soot from India travelling to the Arctic.
• This soot can reduce the albedo effect of the snow, accelerating glacial melting.

What is Albedo Effect?

A grim future

• Estimates predict a grim future, with the Arctic’s summer sea ice completely disappearing by 2035.
• Ultimately, the increasing amount of ground being exposed in regions traditionally covered with snow will trigger a “tipping point”.
• This is where the warming of the atmosphere reaches a point where human interventions will no longer be able to halt it.

How to save the polar regions?

• To save the polar regions, urgent action in the form of a new global agreement is the only solution.
• A global effort is needed to minimise emissions and embrace sustainability.
• Countries should draft an Arctic Treaty System in line with its Antarctic counterpart.
• India can leverage its polar missions to promote international peace and science diplomacy.
• It can also control its pollution levels and prevent dust, soot that can migrate to the Arctic.