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Antarctica is losing ice 6 times faster today than in 1980s
Important Facts:
Study observation:
- In 1980s, Rate of Ice loss was 40 billion metric tons/ year which has increased to 252 billion metric tons/year since 2009
- Rate of Ice melting is 15% higher than last year
- Antarctica Ice coverage studied in three parts: Eastern, Western and Peninsular Antarctica
- Rate of Ice Melting in West Antarctica and Antarctica Peninsula accounts for 4/5th of total Antarctica ice loss
- “Eastern Antarctica” which had been considered Stable (little or no ice loss/gain) is now losing ice at rate of 51 billion metric tons/year
Study Warning:
- Observed Ice melting in East Antarctica along with Western and Peninsular Antarctica could lead to sea level rise more than 10 feet in next 100 year
- Increased rate of Ice melting is key indicator of Human-Induced Climate Change
Consequences of Sea Level Rise:
- Inundation of small islands developing states raising issue of climate refugees
- Saline water intrusion into fresh water aquifers
- Change in ocean linked atmospheric circulation impacting precipitation pattern across globe Indian Monsoon
India’s Concern and Effort:
- Concern: India is vulnerable to coastal inundation (7500km coastline) and erratic monsoon led precipitation
- Effort: India has two research bases Maitri and Bharati (under National Center for Polar and Ocean Research) in Antarctica for multi-disciplinary studies
