Environmental Issue: Melting Sea Ice

Tracye Gillis

What is causing Arctic Sea Ice to melt?

What is melting the earths sea ice? The consensus is Global Warming. Energy from the sun directly affects the Earth's weather and climate. It absorbs some of the energy from the sun and radiates the rest back toward space. When this happens, certain gases in the atmosphere absorb some of the energy radiated from the Earth and trap it. The gases that remain trapped, act as a blanket warming the Earths surface more than usual. While this is otherwise known as the greenhouse effect human consumption over the past century have substantially increased the amount of greenhouse gases trapped in the atmosphere. (See below: Greenhouse Effect diagram) The major greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere through human activities are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. By burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas

to generate electricity and power for vehicles, we produce several of the emissions that get trapped in the earths atmosphere.
The extent of area covered by Arctic sea ice is an important indicator of changes in global climate due to the greenhouse effect because warmer air and water temperatures are reducing the amount of sea ice present.

www.ecy.wa.gov

Where exactly is Sea Ice melting? The rapid warming of the Arctic Ocean and lower atmosphere is one area that is being disrupted by the seasonal rhythm, particularly over the last decade. Arctic sea ice extent plummeted in 2007 to the lowest level ever recorded by satellites (i.e. since 1979). It dropped even lower to set a new record in 2012.

Environmental Issue: Melting Sea Ice

Tracye Gillis

This area should be almost frozen by the end of October however, the Arctic Ocean still showed small regions of open water within the Beaufort and Chukchi seas on its western side, and within the Kara Sea on its eastern side. This area of open water is contributed to warmer than average air temperatures over the western Arctic. A recent assessment report from the IPCC states the following, Even as the new IPCC Fifth Assessment Report concludes that anthropogenic influences have very likely contributed to unprecedented Arctic sea ice retreat since 1979, an estimated 10,000 walruses hauled out on land along Alaskas north coast -forced ashore by the disappearance of Arctic sea ice over their feeding areas. (See photo below)

The photos were taken from a flight of the U.S. Aerial Surveys of Arctic Marine Mammals (ASAMM) Project Point Lay, Alaska, on 27 September 2013

Why is our Sea Ice melting? One of the greatest impacts that are influencing the melting of sea ice in Alaska and other regions of the Arctic is due to climate change brought on by global warming. Many researchers have gathered data that proves human consumption to be one of the contributing factors in heating up our planet. The extent of area covered by Arctic sea ice is an important indicator of changes in global climate due to the greenhouse effect (as described previously). Warmer air and water temperatures are reducing the amount of sea ice present. The lost sea ice exposes dark, open waters which shift the ocean from being highly reflective to now absorbing most of the suns energy. Because sea ice is more reflective than liquid water, it plays a significant role in the Earth's energy balance and keeping Polar Regions cool. The Polar sea ice goes through a freeze-thaw cycle where it melts each summer and forms again in the winter. In the past the ice often grew up to 10 feet thick (3 meters) within just a few years, however its growing at a rate equivalent to the growth of one year. This process is occurring more rapidly causing the average thickness of the ice to diminish. (See photo below)

Environmental Issue: Melting Sea Ice

Tracye Gillis

What is being done about this problem? There are several things that are being done, not necessarily to resolve this environmental problem, but to address and research causes for global warming and its effect on the planet, including the rapid melting of sea ice. Many committees, agencies, government funded along with the non-profit sector have been formed to monitor this issue. The EPA, Global CCS Institute, The Defenders, Global Change and NOAA are all monitoring different aspects of global warming and its effect on climate change, and the impact it has on the melting and production of sea ice and the effect on wildlife. One way researchers and scientists are trying to get a handle on lowering the threatening emissions of carbon dioxide is referred to as CCS or in English, carbon capture and storage or carbon capture sequestration. This is the collection of massive amounts of carbon dioxide that are prevented from being released into the atmosphere. First the carbon dioxide is separated from other gases, collected and transported via pipelines, ships etc. then injected deep into underground rock at depths of at least one kilometer. The transportation industry is also making advancements in reducing emissions created by all means of transportation. Using fuels that emit less carbon dioxide, alternative source bio-fuels, electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar. They are designing more fuel efficient technology, with advanced designs and materials such as; hybrid and electric vehicles, reducing the weight of materials used and reducing aerodynamic resistance through better design. In 2011, the electricity sector was the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for about 33% of the U.S. total. Greenhouse gas emissions from electricity have increased by about 18% since 1990 as electricity demand has grown and fossil fuels have remained the dominant source for generation.

Environmental Issue: Melting Sea Ice

Tracye Gillis

So what can we do to help lower these costly emissions that are slowly destroying our planet, below are some simple things we can all help with?

What can you do?

Lots! Government and industry are taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but, if we all do our part, as citizens we can make a meaningful difference: Install an energy-efficient furnace, A/C, water heater and appliances and improve doors, windows, seals and insulation - you'll slash your greenhouse gas emissions and your monthly bills. Use a programmable thermostat; lower the temperature at night or when you are away. And lower the temperature on your hot water heater. You can recycle much more than paper, glass, tin and plastic. Paint, tires, oil, electronics, fluoresce nt bulbs, chemicals. Did you know 40% of all electricity used to power electronics is consumed when the products are turned off? Unplug your cell and laptop chargers when you're not using them. Plug your computer, TV and home entertainment centre into a power bar you can time or switch off so they won't use power when you're sleeping or at work. Install dimmers (it's smart AND romantic) and remember to switch lights off when you're not in the room. Don't idle your car while you're waiting to pick someone up or when you park to run an errand - or for more than a few minutes before you drive in the winter. A vehicle idling for 10 minutes a day uses more than 100 liters of fuel in a year. Invest in a fuel-efficient car, keep your tire pressure up - better yet, drive less! Carpool, hop the bus, walk and bike more. Invite your family and friends to make these changes with you. It all adds up!

Researching this issue took me to places I didnt know existed. I found myself learning what the green house effect was and how it affected our atmosphere, wildlife and our future, how NOAA measures ice and what those measurements represent. Its not as difficult to understand the impact, but what I didnt realize is that it is a vicious cycle. Not only does global warming melt the sea ice, it warms the land which changes the seasonal cycle and ecosystems that depend on it. I watched a video about switching your regular light bulbs to energy-efficient light bulbs which can save you up to $50 a year and use from 25%- 80% less energy and may last 3-25 times longer. I had already switched mine out over a year ago, but didnt realize the potential savings. I think I am doing a lot of the right things like keeping my blinds closed in the summer, winterizing windows, turning down the thermostat, but didnt realize how many other harmful habits we have. By not recycling, carpooling and unplugging your chargers after your phones, computers and electronic gadgets are done, we are still wasting and burning energy that leads to global warming, climate change and melting sea ice. There is also the heartfelt toll it takes on our wildlife. Its tough watching documentaries about Polar bears and their diminishing homes. I remember watching one a few months ago about a mother polar bear and her two cubs and her struggle to hunt and find shelter for her little gals. If I recall, due to the

Environmental Issue: Melting Sea Ice

Tracye Gillis

diminishing ice and not able to travel to her usual hunting grounds, she did with out and was only able to nurse one of her cubs. That just broke my heart especially since it wasnt her choice, we kind of made that for her. There were so many angles around the melting ice that you could get buried in the details and the reports. The bottom line is we all need to do our share even if it is switching a light bulb or turning off your car, while waiting in the drive-thru at McDonalds. Ive seen beautiful pictures of the Arctic and although it is still breathe taking it is changing rapidly with the potential of disappearing entirely if we do not act now. Although the below picture, I think is absolutely beautiful with the contrast in colors and just the massive size of it, this river that has been cut through the ice is the result of global warming. Lets hope this particular location of the Greenland ice sheet wasnt necessary in sustaining any sort of life unless they have great climbing skills. Its time to take care of our planet, its the only one we have.

The world lost record amounts of Arctic ice in 2012, and scientists say that may be the new normal. Picture: Ian Joughin Source: AP Greenland

Sources:
http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/ http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/qthinice.asp http://www.globalccsinstitute.com/publications http://www.climatesciencewatch.org/2013/09/30/ http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/ReduceGasEmissions http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/sources/electricity.html http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/arctic-ice-melt-greenhouse-gases-hit-record-levels-in-2012/story-fn5fsgyc-1226692470398