Arctic death spiral

The Arctic Ocean occupies 14.1 million square kilometers (5.4 million sq mi) around Earth's North Pole. Historically, most of the surface of the Arctic Ocean stayed ice-covered year-round. Close this core of year-round ice was an edge of seasonal ice that froze each winter and melted each summer. The Arctic ice mass gets its maximum extent in March and its minimum extent in September.

According to a preliminary report from the National Snow and Ice Data Center on September 16, 2021, sea ice cover seemed to get its annual summer minimum. The extent of the Arctic Ocean where sea ice concentration was at least 15% was 4.72 million square kilometers (1.82 million sq mi). That's the twelfth-smallest summer minimum on record and 1.5 million square kilometers (579 thousand sq mi) below the 1981-2010 average.

arcticdeathspiral.org created amazing visualization of how to dissolve ice sheet in the Arctic ocean.

As Arctic sea ice vanishes, the following feedback effects have already begun and presumably clarify why the Arctic is warming at about twice the global average rate:

- less sunlight is reflected; as a result, the Arctic warms more rapid

- methane locked in the Arctic seabed and neighboring tundra for thousands of years is fleeing: just a tiny fraction of the evaluated deposits would cause 0.5°C of extra warming; a more significant release could lead to a rise of 6-8°C

- more open ocean means more huge waves, slowing and decreasing the formation of the following year's ice

- the sea channels out of the Arctic spend less of the year blocked by ice, letting more ice float away

- shrinking Arctic ice weakens a pivotal driver for ocean currents and restricts the rate at which dissolved CO₂ is pulled into the deep ocean

Even if we prevent further greenhouse gas emissions and stabilize atmospheric CO₂ at present levels, this feedbacks mean Arctic sea ice will continue to retreat, and the global climate will continue to warm.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Comments

How Long Does Plastic Take to Decompose?

Plastic: the unwelcome house guest at nearly every corner of our lives — from shopping bags to footwear, coffee cups to car parts. And yet, discarded, plastic doesn't just evaporate into thin air. No, it lingers. For decades. Even centuries. According to statistics presented by Visual Capitalist , plastic daily consumer goods can break down between 20 and 600 years, depending on the composition used, how they were created, and natural elements like water and sunlight they are exposed to. Let's go deeper into why plastic takes so long to break down — and what horrid messes it leaves behind in the process. Why Plastic Isn't "Natural" — and Why That's a Problem Plastic does not naturally exist. It's a product made from petroleum and natural gas. Its long, tough carbon bonds differ from anything naturally found in ecosystems, making it extremely resistant to microbial breakdown. When we toss a plastic bottle or bag away, it's not a matter of if it will s...

Map of Fox Species Distribution

Foxes are small to medium-sized members of the Canidae family, which also includes wolves, dogs, and other related animals. There are about 37 species of foxes distributed around the world, and they inhabit a wide range of environments, from forests and grasslands to deserts and urban areas. Below is the map of fox species distribution created by Reddit user isaacSW Here are some of the most well-known fox species and their distribution: Red Fox ( Vulpes vulpes ): The red fox is one of the most widely distributed fox species and is found in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. They are adaptable and can live in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and urban areas. Arctic Fox ( Vulpes lagopus ): The Arctic fox is found in the Arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. They have adaptations that help them survive in cold climates, such as a thick coat that changes color with the seasons. Gray Fox ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus ): The gray ...

Fallingwater: Where Architecture Meets the Wild

Located in southwestern Pennsylvania's woods, Fallingwater is not a house, but a powerful conversation between nature and architecture. Completed in 1935 by Frank Lloyd Wright for the Kaufmanns, it's one of the only buildings that truly does seem alive—as if it grew directly out of the rock. What is so revolutionary about Fallingwater isn't its appearance—it's Wright's philosophy of organic architecture: the idea that houses are there to harmonize with nature, not dominate it. The house was actually constructed into the land, resting directly above a waterfall on Bear Run. Instead of looking out over the waterfall, Wright built the waterfall into the house, and the sound of running water is therefore a constant companion. Crafted From the Land, For the Land The materials used to build Fallingwater tell their own story. The stone was quarried on-site. Local craftsmen helped shape every contour. The horizontal lines of the cantilevered terraces echo the layered rock...

Ecoclimax

Search This Blog