Q. With reference to polar regions, consider the following statements:
1.Polar regions are less sensitive to climate change in comparison to Equitorial regions.
2.In the Arctic, Sea ice reaches its maximum extent around March and shrinks to its minimum extent in September.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: B
Notes:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Polar sea ice reflects 80% of the sunlight that strikes its surface, thus keeping the polar regions cool. Once the ice melts in the summer, the dark surface of the ocean is exposed, and it absorbs 90% of the sunlight that falls on it.
Hence, small temperature changes at the poles can lead to greater warming over time, making polar regions extremely sensitive to climate change in comparison to Equitorial region.
Statement 2 is correct: In the Arctic, Sea ice reaches its maximum extent around March after growing through the colder months and shrinks to its minimum extent in September after melting through the warmer months. In the Southern Hemisphere, Antarctic sea ice follows an opposite cycle.
Source: The Hindu
