Raging wildfires, deadly heatwaves, floods and more happened this year across the world, signifying the impact of climate change. A new study finds that extreme events in Antarctica, including ocean heatwaves and ice loss will almost certainly become more common and more severe.
Findings of the study
The study published in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Science reviews evidence of extreme events in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, including weather, sea ice, ocean temperatures, glacier and ice shelf systems, and biodiversity. It found that the fragile environments in Antarctica will be put through “considerable stress” and damage in the coming years.
“Antarctic change has global implications. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero is our best hope of preserving Antarctica, and this must matter to every country – and individual – on the planet,” said lead author Martin Siegert, from the University of Exeter, in a press statement.
Global impacts of Antarctica’s Changes
Siegert asserts the rapid changes happening in Antarctica could mean that many countries would be in breach of an international treaty. The Antarctic Treaty, whose signatories including India, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom, has a protocol where the signatories pledge to preserve its environment.
The study considered the vulnerability of Antarctica to a wide range of extreme events. This was done to understand what changes could happen in the future due to the recent series of extremities.
Heatwave in Antarctica
A heatwave that happened in Antarctica in 2022, according to Berkeley Earth, established new world record for the largest temperature excess above normal ever measured at an established weather station. At present, winter sea ice formation in the region is lowest on record.
Extreme events like those can also harm biodiversity. For instance, high temperatures could cause lower krill numbers. This will affect other large animals that feed on krill. This was evidenced by many dead fur seal pups on beaches, according to the University of Exeter.