Disappearing Ice

Analyzing global warmings’ effect on the arctic circle

Aaron Anderson
7-19-2019
 Disappearing Ice
Contents
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Problem Statement ....................................................................................................................................... 2
Why the Ice is Melting? ................................................................................................................................. 2
Air Temperature ........................................................................................................................................ 2
Oceanic Temperature................................................................................................................................ 2
What Does this Mean for the Locals?............................................................................................................ 3
The Animals ............................................................................................................................................... 3
The People................................................................................................................................................. 3
The Economy ............................................................................................................................................. 3
Solution ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Why This Solution Works............................................................................................................................... 4
Works Cited ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Images Cited .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Abstract
The 2018 arctic report card published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)
contains the results of many tests done by scientists regarding the ice sheet in the arctic circle. The report
stated the in 2018 the minimum ice cover in the arctic ocean had declined by roughly 26 percent while the
maximum has declined by roughly 8 percent [1]. This is largely attributed to 2018 being the second hottest
year since 1990, the first being 2016. This paper will cover why the arctic ice is shrinking, what the long-
term effects might be, and a few possible solutions that might help preserve the arctic for future
generations.

Problem Statement
The arctic provides a home to several different animal species as well as a few million people living across
8 countries [2]. When the ocean of ice begins to shrink more every year animals may lose habitats, people
loose places to hunt and fish, and the potential for the sea level to rise increases. This does not include the
geopolitical issues presented by Klaus Dodds in his book. He states that yet another factor contributing to
the disappearing ice is the multitude of nations fighting over who owns the ice, who gets to fish and whale
in what territories, and most importantly, who gets the oil [3].

Why the Ice is Melting?

Air Temperature
Since the early 1900’s scientists have been measuring the temperatures in the arctic circle. Over the years
they have noticed that the temperature of the air in the arctic circle has risen by almost 3° C (from -1°C to
2°C) [1]. They have also noticed that the average temperature of the arctic is increasing at almost double
the rate to the global average. The air temperature increasing means the topmost layers of ice don’t stay
frozen. This starts a cycle of melting the topmost layer and causes the drastic amounts of shrinking seen
today. The main cause of this is the greenhouse gas effect that is always talked about when global warming
issues arise.

Oceanic Temperature
The temperature of the water is just as important as the temperature of the air. In August of 2018 the
water temperature differed from previous years by 3-4°C. Overall the temperature is increasing by roughly
a tenth of a degree per year [1]. While this may not sound like much in the past 30 or 40 years it results in
that same three to four-degree increase mention previously. This temperature is especially harmful due to
the positive feedback loop it causes. When the ocean warms and ice melts it exposes more of the ocean
and allows more of the suns’ rays into the water causing the temperature to increase more. This loop has
some scientists estimating an iceless summer within the next 30 years. [1]
What Does this Mean for the Locals?
The result of the arctic ice levels decreasing at such a rapid pace is widespread. Animals, people and the
economy are all effected; there are also some geopolitical disadvantages involved. This is not to say that
some effects are not more globally widespread, such as ocean level increases, but the immediate harm is
seen by those that make their home in this climate.

The Animals
One effect not talked about is what happens to the arctic tundra after the ice disappears. Over the last
few decades the arctic tundra has had increased expansion of its vegetation. This could be due to more
available space or an easier environment to live in (warmer with more sun). Either way, one would
assume that with the increase in vegetation that there would be a correlating increase in grazing herd
animals. However, despite the increased vegetation the local populations of reindeer and caribou have
decreased by roughly fifty percent. A few select herd populations have decreased even more, roughly
ninety percent in the same time span [1]. The report goes on to state that while variation is normal herd
populations are the lowest they have ever been. The decrease in population of these animals seems to be
largely cause by the increase in temperature vs the loss of habitat, however, the result is the same. There
has also been a link established regarding an
increase in airborne diseases in the arctic. NOAA
states that while disease is good for limiting
population growth and overpopulation the coming
seasons may have an above average number of
animals dying off [1]. This is compounded by the
fact that outside sources try to over hunt and
overfish the arctic species either for game or
commercial gain. Hunting without the need to use FIGURE 1: A YEARLING CARIBOU NEAR KANGERLUSSUAQ,
the animal for survival does not help the population GREENLAND IN MAY. IMAGE: JEFF KERBY, ERIC POST LAB, PENN
STATE UNIVERSITY
of that animal increase.

The People
The indigenous people that live on the outskirts of the arctic rely on the hunting of deer and caribou as well
as fishing for arctic salmon. The population decrease mentioned before means that the indigenous that
survive on the wildlife have a much more difficult time finding available food sources. The food available to
them directly effects how their tribes survive. While the scarcity in animals and food effects their survival
on one front the other is the change in how they can live. With increasing temperatures, the outskirts of
the arctic circle are not as frozen as they are accustomed to. Having to adapt and change their way of life
to survive will have long standing effects on their culture in the years to come.

The Economy
As the arctic ice disappears more companies look to the arctic for monetary gains. The arctic circle contains
one of the largest known oil reserves known to date [3]. This means that companies, nations, and individuals
all simultaneously try to gain access to the black gold held within the ice. Another major economic boon of
the arctic is tourism. Every year all the major cruise lines offer trips through parts of the arctic. These ships
have a known tendency to scar large aquatic mammals due to the spinning propeller blades. The cruise line
and fishing industries ships have directly caused a decline in aquatic life. While this is not a cause of the ice
melting the easier passages due to less ice only increases the desire to visit the arctic before it is gone.

Solution
In conclusion the issue of the arctic ice disappearing is an ongoing problem that won’t be solved overnight.
It is a problem that effects hundreds of thousands of people and animals that live in the arctic and rely on
the ecosystem to survive. The effects that the arctic ice has on the rest of the world are tremendous and
can affect everything from fishing and tourism industries across the northern hemisphere as well as ocean
levels worldwide. Every person on the planet has a reason to keep habitats and ecosystems intact, be it for
personal reasons or secondary effects of an entire system collapsing.

The only way any of us can help solve this problem is by encouraging everyone in our lives to reduce their
individual carbon footprint. By doing this everyone can help slow the rate that harmful gasses get released.
Another solution would be to increase the use of renewable energy and renewable energy sources made
using renewable materials decreases the amount of coal powerplants needed. That being said, using an
electric vehicle doesn’t help if that vehicle is made in a factory or charged on a daily basis using a coal power
plant. The last solution would be to not support the overhunting of arctic animals. By not supporting arctic
fishing and hunting one can help discourage large businesses using these animals to make money. These
solutions are just a few of many ways that one can help support the conservation efforts in the arctic.

Why This Solution Works

The reason this solution works is due to the global nature of the issue. The only way to solve this global
problem is to involve everyone in a global solution. If everyone were to limit their environmental impact,
use renewable energies and stop using products that are byproducts of arctic fishing and hunting the
arctic environment would have a better chance at surviving global warming.
Works Cited

[1] E. Osborn, J. Richter-Menge and M. Jeffries, "NOAA 2018 Arctic Report," NOAA, 2018. [Online].
Available: https://arctic.noaa.gov/Report-Card/Report-Card-2018. [Accessed 16th July 2019].
[2] World WildLife Foundation, "Arctic: Facts," World WildLife Foundation, [Online]. Available:
https://www.worldwildlife.org/places/arctic. [Accessed 18th July 2019].
[3] K. Dodds, Ice: nature and Culture, Reaktion Books, 2018.
[4] Alaska Conservation Foundation, "Alaska's Arctic is ground zero for the world's clmate crisis," Alaska
Conservation Foundation, [Online]. Available: https://alaskaconservation.org. [Accessed 16th July
2019].
[5] J. Kirby, Artist, A yearling caribou near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. [Art]. Penn State University.

Images Cited
[5] R. L. Hopkins, Artist, A polar bear ponders its situation. [Art]. National Geographic Image Collection.
[6] J. Kirby, Artist, A yearling caribou near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. [Art]. Penn State University.