25-February -2025-Special-Article

DECLINE IN GLOBAL SEA ICE AND ITS IMPACT ON CLIMATE CHANGE

The global sea ice cover has significantly declined, with a recorded area of 15.76 million sq km in February 2025, according to the US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). Arctic and Antarctic ice loss is a major concern due to its role in climate regulation and global weather patterns.

Additionally, in India’s Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the retreat of Himalayan glaciers is negatively impacting water resources, agriculture, and ecosystems.

What is Sea Ice?

• Sea ice is a floating layer of ice formed from frozen ocean water in the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans.
• It expands in winter, melts in summer, and some of it remains throughout the year.
• Unlike icebergs, glaciers, and ice sheets, sea ice forms from saltwater.
• Most salt is expelled during freezing, making sea ice less salty than ocean water.
• Tiny pockets of trapped salt give it a porous texture.

Reasons for Declining Arctic and Antarctic Sea Ice Cover

Delayed Ice Formation

• Warmer ocean temperatures slow the freezing process.
• Example: Hudson Bay (Canada) experienced slow ice formation due to excessive warmth.

Marine Heatwaves (MHWs)

• Warm ocean currents, like the heated Gulf Stream, transport excess heat to the Arctic.
• This accelerates ice melting and reduces ice formation.

Ice-Breaking Winds

• Strong winds break up fragile ice, making it more vulnerable to melting.
• Example: Storms in the Barents Sea and Bering Sea caused significant fragmentation.
• Antarctic ice is particularly vulnerable due to its exposure to open oceans.

Thinning Ice

• Arctic ice has become thinner and weaker over time.
• Higher temperatures lead to faster melting and breakage during storms.
• In the Antarctic, ice shelves extending over the ocean are melting rapidly.

Rising Air Temperatures

• Regions like Svalbard (Norway) experienced above-normal temperatures, causing additional ice loss.
• Higher air and water temperatures towards the end of the southern hemisphere summer further melted Antarctic ice.

Consequences of Declining Sea Ice

Increased Global Warming

• Less ice means more exposure of ocean water to solar radiation, leading to higher temperatures.
• The natural cooling effect of polar ice has already declined by 14% since the 1980s.

Disruption of Global Ocean Circulation

• Melting ice releases freshwater into the ocean, reducing salinity.
• This slows down ocean currents, affecting global climate patterns and marine life.

Loss of Climate Regulation

• Sea ice acts as an insulating layer, reducing evaporation and heat loss.
• Its decline speeds up climate change, leading to unpredictable weather patterns.

Extreme Weather Events

• Warmer temperatures and thinner ice increase the frequency and intensity of storms.
• This can cause flooding, hurricanes, and prolonged droughts in different parts of the world.

Impact of Himalayan Glacier Retreat in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)

Declining Water Levels

• Climate change has led to reduced snowfall and faster glacier melting.
• Major rivers and springs in J&K have seen a 75% drop in water levels.

Disruption of Agriculture

• The ₹8,000 crore apple industry is suffering due to early ripening and lower-quality produce.
• Water shortages reduce irrigation, affecting crop yields and food security.

Shrinking Wetlands

• Glacial retreat contributes to the shrinking of wetlands like Wular Lake, which act as natural climate regulators.
• 99.2% of J&K’s water bodies are in rural areas, many of which are drying up.

Land Degradation

• Increased runoff from melting glaciers erodes soil and weakens Karewa sediments.
• Karewas are fertile plateau-like landforms in Kashmir Valley, vital for saffron and almond cultivation.

Forced Migration

• Gujjar-Bakarwal communities face shrinking pasturelands, forcing them to migrate.
• This leads to loss of traditional livelihoods and socioeconomic instability.

Factors Responsible for Ice Cap Formation on Earth

• Low Volcanic CO₂ Emissions: Less volcanic activity reduced greenhouse gas emissions, limiting global warming.
• Increased Carbon Storage: Forests and oceans absorbed more carbon dioxide (CO₂), lowering atmospheric temperatures.
• Chemical Weathering: CO₂ reacted with rocks and minerals, removing it from the atmosphere and cooling the planet.
• Geographical Factors: Large mountain ranges and widely dispersed continents increased rainfall, promoting carbon removal.

Conclusion

The rapid decline in global sea ice is intensifying climate change, disrupting ocean circulation, and triggering extreme weather events. In India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, melting Himalayan glaciers are causing severe water shortages, reduced agricultural output, shrinking wetlands, and forced migration. Urgent climate action, sustainable policies, and global cooperation are necessary to mitigate these devastating effects and protect the planet for future generations.

Mains Question:

1. Discuss the impact of declining global sea ice cover on climate change and its consequences for regions like Jammu and Kashmir. Suggest measures to mitigate these effects. (150 WORDS)