Melting of West Antarctica's Ice Sheet | 03 Nov 2023

Source: IE

Why in News?

A recent study reveals alarming predictions about the West Antarctic ice sheet's inevitable melting due to warming ocean waters.

• The implications of this melting are profound, with the potential to significantly elevate global mean sea levels by 5.3 meters, adversely affecting millions of individuals residing in vulnerable coastal cities worldwide, including those in India.

What do Ice Sheets Represent and How Do They Affect Sea Levels?

• About:
  • An ice sheet is essentially a mass of glacial ice that covers more than 50,000 square kilometers of land.
    • An ice sheet, such as the West Antarctic ice sheet, covers vast land areas, holding a substantial amount of freshwater.
    • The two major ice sheets in the world, Greenland and Antarctica, collectively possess around two-thirds of the Earth's freshwater.
  • When ice sheets gain or lose mass, they respectively contribute to a fall or rise in global mean sea levels.

• Processes Driving West Antarctic Ice Sheet Melting:
  • Ice shelves stabilize the land-based glaciers just behind them. The melting of ice sheets occurs through various mechanisms. One key process involves warm ocean waters eroding ice shelves, which are the edges of an ice sheet floating on the ocean.
  • As these ice shelves thin or disintegrate, the glaciers behind them accelerate, releasing more ice into the ocean and consequently causing sea level rise.

• Current Trends and Findings:
  • The recent findings are distressing, indicating a significant, widespread warming of the Amundsen Sea and escalating ice shelf melting across all scenarios considered.
  • This projected melting will inevitably lead to increased sea level rise, profoundly impacting coastal communities worldwide.
• Implications for India and Vulnerable Coastal Regions:
  • India, with its extensive coastline and dense population, is particularly susceptible to sea level rise.
  • Coastal communities might face displacement or become climate refugees if unable to fortify against rising seas, highlighting the urgency for adaptive strategies such as building protective infrastructure.

Way Forward

• Environmental Protection and Conservation: Strict adherence to the Antarctic Treaty and associated agreements for preserving the continent's unique environment and ecosystems.
  • This involves regulating human activities, waste management, and minimizing the environmental footprint.
• Innovative Materials and Infrastructure: Developing more efficient materials and infrastructure for research stations and vessels operating in harsh polar conditions, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
• Geoengineering Techniques: Researchers are exploring solar radiation management to potentially slow ice melting. In a scenario of moderated emissions, solar radiation management could be a potent weapon against ice sheet degradation.
  • However, these experimental methods require further investigation for efficacy and environmental effects before implementation.