Mains Marathon

Approach

• Briefly introduce the loss of major ice reserves on Earth due to global climate change and its potential to affect the Earth’s ecosystem.
• Explain the various effects of the loss of major ice reserves on the earth’s ecosystem in detail with suitable examples.
• Conclude suitably.

Answer:

Ice loss on Earth refers to the reduction of ice mass in glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice, and permafrost due to rising temperatures, and melting.

Ice loss is one of the most visible and alarming indicators of global climate change, as it affects the Earth’s albedo, energy balance, water cycle, sea level, and biodiversity.

The loss of major ice reserves on Earth, primarily caused by global climate change, poses significant challenges to the Earth's ecosystem. This phenomenon has wide-ranging implications for various environmental systems and has attracted significant attention from scientists, policymakers, and international organizations.

The effects of the loss of major ice reserves are:

• Rising Sea Levels: The most immediate and prominent consequence of ice reserve loss is the rise in global sea levels. Melting glaciers and ice caps contribute to the increased volume of water in the oceans, resulting in coastal inundation and the submergence of low-lying areas. This has severe implications for densely populated regions, leading to the displacement of communities, loss of habitable land, and increased vulnerability to extreme weather events such as storm surges and coastal erosion. According to IPCC, the global average sea level has risen by about 7–8 inches since 1900 and it’s getting worse.
• Disruption of Marine Ecosystems: The loss of major ice reserves affects marine ecosystems, which rely on stable temperature regimes and the presence of sea ice for various ecological processes. Reductions in sea ice cover disrupt the reproductive cycles and habitats of several species, including polar bears, penguins, seals, and walruses.
  • The IPCC report also highlighted that the world may see its first ‘sea-ice free summer’ before 2050.
  • Polar bears could be extinct in 25 years due to global warming.
• Altered Oceanic Circulation and Climate Patterns: Melting ice reserves can modify oceanic circulation patterns, such as the North Atlantic Current and thermohaline circulation, which play vital roles in maintaining global climate stability. Disruptions to these circulations may lead to altered weather patterns. For Example, potential slowdown in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) due to ice loss, which could have significant implications for the Indian Monsoon and other weather systems, thereby impacting agriculture, water resources, and overall climate predictability.
• Loss of Freshwater Reserves: Ice reserves store a significant portion of Earth's freshwater resources. As these reserves diminish, the availability of freshwater for human consumption, agriculture, and ecosystems becomes threatened. Regions heavily dependent on glacial meltwater, such as the Himalayan region, face a dual challenge of increased water scarcity and heightened vulnerability to natural disasters like glacial lake outburst floods.
• Feedback Loops and Amplification of Climate Change: The loss of major ice reserves contributes to positive feedback loops, further accelerating climate change. As ice cover decreases, the albedo effect is diminished, leading to increased absorption of solar radiation by dark land or ocean surfaces. This, in turn, amplifies warming and accelerates ice melting.
  • The example of the Greenland ice sheet melting at an accelerated rate due to the increased absorption of sunlight highlights the potential for such feedback loops.

The loss of major ice reserves due to global climate change has profound implications for the Earth's ecosystem. Rising sea levels, disruption of marine ecosystems, altered oceanic circulation, loss of freshwater reserves, and amplification of climate change are some of the significant impacts. These consequences pose formidable challenges to human societies, biodiversity, and global sustainability. Addressing these issues requires concerted efforts, policy interventions, and a shift towards sustainable practices to mitigate climate change and protect the fragile ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.