Arctic Amplification: Global warming, defined as a gradual increase in the earth’s overall temperature caused by natural forces or human activities, has raised the average temperature by 1.1 degrees Celsius. Climate is changing at a rapid pace all over the world, and any change in surface air temperature and net radiation balance tends to cause large changes at the north and south poles. This is known as Polar Amplification, and if the changes are much more predominant at northern altitudes, it is known as Arctic Amplification.
Amplification occurs when the net radiation balance of the atmosphere is altered or affected by an increase in greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases (GHG) are those that absorb and emit radiant energy in the thermal infrared range, resulting in the greenhouse effect. Water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and ozone are the primary greenhouse gases.
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What is Arctic Amplification?
Arctic amplification refers to the phenomenon where the Arctic region experiences more significant warming than the global average. It is a notable aspect of climate change and is driven by several interconnected processes. As the Arctic warms, sea ice and snow cover decrease. Both ice and snow have high albedo, meaning they reflect a significant amount of sunlight into space. As they melt, more of the sun’s energy is absorbed by the darker surfaces of the ocean and land, leading to further warming. This creates a positive feedback loop, as the more the Arctic warms, the more ice and snow melt, and the more heat is absorbed, causing even more warming.
Causes of Arctic Amplification
There are a few major causes or reasons why the Arctic Amplification occurs and let’s discuss them.
- Weather: One of the primary reasons is the rapid changes in the weather that causes the Arctic amplification. Due to the ocean currents, hot and cold breezes stream around the northern hemisphere in very high masses. This is the reason for the temperature difference between the Arctic and the Tropics. Thunderstorms are also much more powerful in the tropics than that in the higher altitudes.
- Sea Ice loss: In the autumn and summer, sea ice in the Arctic region has decreased dramatically. Furthermore, the period that covers the ice in larger areas has decreased. In the modern era, the extent of sea ice is unpredictable, and the volume of ice is much smaller. The loss of ice accelerates arctic warming by replacing white, reflective ice with dark water. This condition is also sometimes referred to as a Positive feedback loop. The drastic reduction in ice will also lead to the tipping point, which is irreversible and causes very damaging climatic changes.
- Radiation: We already knew that ice in the Arctic region was rapidly melting, and scientists were unable to provide precise data due to the rapid extinction of ice. Few scientists have been observing the trend for many years and using linear equation analysis, they discovered that carbon dioxide plays a significant role in this process. Scientists have concluded that radiation from greenhouse gases also plays a significant role in the rapid disappearance of ice.
- Atmospheric water vapor: Water vapor has a significant influence on the atmosphere. Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas as well. For many years, the trend of water vapor in the Arctic region has been unpredictable, and it has played an important role in climatic changes. Many scientists have demonstrated that the trend of water vapor should be consistent; otherwise, it causes a slew of climatic disruptions, which eventually lead to global damage. Many studies on water vapor in the Arctic region have supported the preceding point. Because of these factors, we can confidently assert that water vapor is also contributing to arctic amplification.
- Atmospheric Patterns: We all know that the arctic climate has changed at a rapid pace since the beginning of the twenty-first century. We particularly experienced significant ice loss in the summer of 2007. We’ve discussed how radiation has played a significant role in the extinction of ice loss, but there’s another important point to consider: atmospheric patterns. Yes, atmospheric patterns do play a significant role in amplifications. Any trend must be consistent in order to produce fruitful results; if it is unstable, it will move in the opposite direction. As a result of the unpredictable atmospheric patterns in the arctic regions, arctic amplification occurs.
- Cloud Cover: Satellites have been used to examine changes in arctic clouds and their relationships with sea ice and the atmosphere, providing very useful information. All of the data sets obtained during this research period show that arctic clouds decreased rapidly until the 1990s and then began to increase. Cloud accumulation in recent years has been a prominent feature of the lower troposphere. All of these changes resulted in an increase in moisture temperature and the formation of clouds. Cloud cover is one of the reasons for arctic amplification because of these unusual changes in arctic clouds and temperature.
Consequences of Arctic Amplification
Here are the consequences or effects of Arctic Amplification:
- The warming of the Arctic Ocean, acidification of the water, and changes in salinity levels are affecting biodiversity, including marine and dependent species. The Arctic Amplification is a major cause of animal starvation and death.
- Antarctica has the largest ice sheet, and Greenland has the second longest, both of which play an important role in maintaining sea levels. According to the 2019 climate reports, the Greenlandic ice sheet is solely responsible for maintaining sea levels, and this vital ice sheet is now melting at an alarming rate.
- As the Greenlandic ice sheet rapidly melts, the oldest and thickest ice blocks are being replaced by much thinner ice, which is a very bad change in the ice sheet.
- The extremely high summer temperatures have already melted 6 billion tonnes of ice sheet per day, totalling 18 billion tonnes in three days.
- Melting permafrost in the Arctic is releasing methane into the atmosphere. Many scientists are concerned that the release of not only methane but also bacteria will result in a high rate of human disease. As a result, it is critical to monitor permafrost thawing, which is the melting of ice that leaves behind water and soil.
- We know that many plants and animals, such as polar bears, rely entirely on snow conditions to survive. Arctic Amplification is gradually reducing snow layers, threatening the wildlife that depends on the snow climate.
- Arctic amplification is also impeding many traditional travel routes, such as the snow route to Kal, which is no longer recommended because the ice sheet has completely melted.
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Conclusion – Arctic Amplification
We all know that the arctic climate has changed at a rapid pace since the beginning of the twenty-first century. We particularly experienced significant ice loss in the summer of 2007. We’ve discussed how radiation has played a significant role in the extinction of ice loss, but there’s another important point to consider: atmospheric patterns. Yes, atmospheric patterns do play a significant role in amplifications. Any trend must be consistent in order to produce fruitful results; if it is unstable, it will move in the opposite direction. As a result of the unpredictable and un-consistent atmospheric patterns in the arctic regions, arctic amplification occurs.
FAQs on Arctic Amplification
1. Why is the Arctic warming faster than the rest of the world?
The Arctic is warming faster due to factors like the loss of reflective sea ice, which leads to more absorption of sunlight, and changes in atmospheric patterns driven by human activities.
2. What role do greenhouse gases play in Arctic Amplification?
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, trap heat in the atmosphere. In the Arctic, increased greenhouse gases contribute to warming by enhancing the natural greenhouse effect.
3. How does the loss of sea ice in the Arctic affect global climate?
The reduction of sea ice impacts global climate by altering temperature and weather patterns. It contributes to rising sea levels and can influence weather systems around the world.
4. What are the consequences of Arctic Amplification on wildlife and ecosystems?
Arctic warming affects biodiversity, leading to changes in habitats and threatening species like polar bears. Ecosystems may undergo disruptions, impacting the delicate balance of Arctic life.
5. Can Arctic Amplification lead to extreme weather events in other parts of the world?
Yes, changes in the Arctic can influence weather patterns globally. Arctic warming may contribute to extreme events in other regions, highlighting the interconnected nature of the Earth’s climate systems.