[Answered] Discuss the implications of the rapid melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet on global sea levels. How does this phenomenon highlight the broader effects of climate change on polar regions?

According to the study “Unavoidable future increase in West Antarctic ice-shelf melting over the twenty-first century,” warm waters would cause West Antarctica’s ice sheet to melt rapidly, resulting in the continent’s mean sea level rising by 5.3 meters, or 17.4 feet. This could have catastrophic effects on millions of people who live in vulnerable coastal cities around the world, including India.

Implications of rapid melting of ice sheets

• Rising Sea Levels: The West Antarctic ice sheet is a massive ice mass covering a vast area. As it melts, it contributes to the rising sea levels globally. If the entire West Antarctic ice sheet were to melt, it has the potential to significantly elevate sea levels, threatening coastal regions and low-lying areas around the world.
• Impact on Coastal Communities: Coastal communities are directly threatened by rising sea levels, which raises the possibility of erosion, flooding, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies. Islands with low-lying areas and coastal regions with high population densities are particularly susceptible to the effects of sea level rise.
• Ecosystem Disruption: Ecosystems suited to cold climates are impacted by the polar areas’ fast changes. Fish, animals, and seabirds can all be negatively impacted by the loss of sea ice, changes to ocean currents, and changes in the availability of food.
• Effect on the Earth’s Climate: The polar regions control the climate. The equilibrium of the Earth’s climate system is upset by changes in ice cover, which affects global weather patterns and temperatures.

How does this phenomenon highlight the effect of climate change on polar regions?

• Modifications to Ocean Circulation: Ocean circulation patterns can be affected by melting ice in polar regions. This might have a significant impact on weather patterns and result in more intense and unpredictable weather, with far-reaching implications for global climate systems.
• Methane Release: Melting permafrost in the Arctic causes the atmospheric release of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. This feeds into a positive feedback loop since rising methane concentrations exacerbate global warming.
• Risk of Extreme Events Increasing: Extreme weather occurrences are becoming more commonplace worldwide due to climate change, which is partly caused by ice sheets melting. This includes heat waves, precipitation events, and storms occurring more frequently and intensely.
• Loss of Sea Ice: The melting of polar ice contributes to the loss of sea ice, impacting marine life that depends on ice-covered areas for breeding, hunting, and resting. This includes species like polar bears, which rely on sea ice to hunt for seals.

Conclusion

India is susceptible to sea level rise due to its extensive coastline and dense population. People in coastal towns would have to relocate or become refugees if they could not afford to erect walls or take other measures to protect themselves from the rising waves.