Lack of Sea Ice Formation Highlights Global Inaction on Climate Change

Scientists have begun sounding the alarm as sea ice levels in the Arctic fail to improve as winter sets in. Following on from studies published earlier this year warning that sea ice levels had been dropping dramatically year-on-year, the start of the winter season has so far failed to yield the usual increase in ice that helps stabilize the local environment. The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) have noted a complete lack of ice formation in Russia’s Laptev Sea and has led to a growing sense of worry that this could be the start of an environmental collapse in the region.

Climate change and a record-breaking heatwave in Siberia have been identified as the likely culprits. Temperatures rose by five degrees above the average over the course of several months and correlated with what has been described as a “flat line” of the region’s ice formation. Usually filled with sea ice at this point in the year, the Laptev Sea now remains an open expanse. Scientists believe that it is now only a matter of time before the Arctic is ice-free year-round, with certain models predicting this scenario could take place as early as 2030.

Long Lasting Consequences

Sea ice is integral to the health of Arctic environments. Several species use the ice as a refuge on which to have their young and protect themselves from predators, with similar processes happening below the ice for a range of marine creatures as well. A lack of sea ice would lead to a noticeable reduction in these species, and the potential loss of these ecosystems and the industries that rely on them. Local economies heavily reliant on fisheries and tourism stand to lose out the most. Alternatively, while ice loss could provide an opportunity for shipping across the North Pole it is unsure that the economic value of these new shipping routes would replace the losses from other sources.

However, the Arctic’s problems aren’t just a regional issue, the Laptev Sea’s lack of ice has far-reaching consequences. As NSIDC senior research scientist Walt Meier explained to The Guardian, ice loss would reduce the Earth’s ability to reflect solar radiation – increasing temperatures and exacerbating climate change in the process. With temperatures continuing to rise in polar regions as a result of this negative feedback loop, scientists are trying to stay optimistic. There is a tipping point where sea ice and glaciers at the poles could continue to melt despite human intervention on climate change, and while we have yet to reach this point, scientists warn we aren’t doing anything to avoid it.

Continued Inaction

While geoengineering projects aimed at saving sea ice and snow cover are beginning to gain popularity, there is one major action that is often being overlooked: cutting emissions. Despite signing the Paris Climate Agreement in 2016 where governments agreed to working towards reducing carbon emissions, a large majority of countries are still far from achieving their own self-set goals. Australia and the United States are the worst performers, having decided to embrace the oxymoron that is ‘clean coal’, while others like Canada and Brazil have quietly continued to develop their fossil fuel industries.

In order to keep further issues from developing, governments need to do more than just commit to reaching their goals – they need to actually carry them out. The general public has a role to play in terms of keeping their elected officials true to their word, and there is a need for increased pressure and scrutiny at all levels of government. Countries that are failing to reach their goals should be sanctioned and leaders unable or unwilling to transition towards sustainability should be voted out of office.

The loss of sea ice in the Arctic is just one more illustration of how poorly world leaders are doing in tackling climate change. Unfortunately, there is no second-place consolation prize for failing to stop global environmental degradation. The need for lasting, concrete climate action is pressing, yet nations continue to drag their feet. Every moment that is spent not aggressively mitigating carbon emissions and climate change is another moment taken away from future generations.