Even frozen Antarctica is being walloped by climate extremes, scientists find

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Even Antarctica, one of the Earth’s most remote and desolate locations, is experiencing severe impacts from climate extremes, with scientists recording shattered temperature records and an uptick in unusual weather events, a new study reveals.

This southernmost continent, once considered somewhat detached from the global impacts of climate change, is now showing alarming signs. A paper published in Frontiers in Environmental Science provides a consolidated view of this change, highlighting the distinct impacts across different parts of the continent. The western region and the peninsula are witnessing dramatic ice sheet melt that could cause substantial sea level rises in the future, while the eastern side sometimes experiences ice gains. One rapidly melting glacier has even been dubbed the “Doomsday Glacier,” and researchers are earnestly trying to understand its decline. In stark contrast, Antarctic sea ice levels have swung from record highs to shockingly low levels.

If these trends persist, which is likely if humanity fails to control emissions, the consequences could be profound. The disappearance of large ice masses that reflect sunlight could lead to even more global warming. Coastal areas could vanish, and the world must now prepare for these and other serious effects of climate change.

Lead author Martin Siegert, a glaciologist and professor at the University of Exeter, warned, “A changing Antarctica is bad news for our planet.” The team sought to explore the causes of these extreme events and their links to burning fossil fuels, synthesizing research on topics such as weather patterns, sea ice, land ice, and marine and land biology. The study concluded that the once somewhat protected continent is now experiencing worsening climate change extremes. It’s no longer “a static giant frozen in time” but is increasingly feeling the chaotic impacts of climate change.

The complexity and interconnection between ice, ocean, and air are central to the researchers’ findings, demonstrating how hard it will be to reverse these changes. The evidence of climate change in Antarctica is strong, and human activities are linked to these changes. The heatwaves, loss of sea ice, collapsing ice shelves, and threats to biodiversity have raised serious concerns. For example, last year’s heatwave in Antarctica brought temperatures 70 degrees Fahrenheit above normal.

Sea ice and ice shelves act like barriers to glaciers, slowing their flow into the ocean. Their disappearance means glaciers can flow faster, and large ice areas’ loss increases warming, like wearing a black T-shirt instead of a white one on a hot day.

Experts warn that these extremes are becoming more frequent and will continue to do so. Although the continent’s systems are extreme by nature, they are still highly susceptible to minor changes. Waleed Abdalati, an environmental researcher, states that what we see is alarming, emphasizing the concern over the steady increase of destructive events.

The need for preparation is clear: reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing measures to adapt to rising sea levels and extreme weather are essential. Ice scientist Ted Scambos expresses disappointment over the lack of action, saying, “We’ve been saying this for 30 years. I wish we were taking action faster.”

This new research on Antarctica adds to the growing body of evidence that the consequences of climate change are tangible, far-reaching, and demand urgent attention. As scientists continue to monitor and analyze the situation, the calls for decisive action to mitigate and adapt to these changes are becoming increasingly insistent.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Climate Extremes

More about Climate Extremes

• “Frontiers in Environmental Science” paper: Link
• University of Exeter: Link
• University of Leeds: Link
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego: Link
• Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University: Link
• University of Colorado: Link