Snow cover over land in the Arctic has decreased, notably in spring, and glaciers in Alaska, Greenland, and northern Canada are retreating. ... In addition, frozen ground in the Arctic, known as permafrost, is warming and in many areas thawing.
What is happening to the Arctic?
Polar ice caps are melting as global warming causes climate change. We lose Arctic sea ice at a rate of almost 13% per decade, and over the past 30 years, the oldest and thickest ice in the Arctic has declined by a stunning 95%. ... But what happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic .
What are current problems facing the Arctic today?
Three main interrelated issues regarding the Arctic environment are climate change, changes in biological diversity, and the accumulation of toxic substances . The effects of these changes are becoming increasingly evident in the North.
What is the new Arctic?
Scientists often speak of a “new Arctic” to describe the region’s rapidly changing landscape . Temperatures are skyrocketing, sea ice is dwindling and many experts believe the far north is quickly transforming into something unrecognizable.
How is the Arctic habitat changing?
Climate change is already altering Arctic habitats. The region has warmed by nearly 10 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900, and continues to warm two to three times faster than the average for the rest of the world. Summer ice cover is shrinking, permafrost is melting and coastlines have been exposed to erosion.
What are the threats to the Arctic?
The Arctic is under great threat from a multitude of environmental changes induced by human activities , most importantly through climate change, but also through pollution, industrial fishing, foreign species introduced to the area, nuclear waste and petroleum activity.
What problems can be found in the Arctic?
Three main interrelated issues regarding the Arctic environment are climate change, changes in biological diversity, and the accumulation of toxic substances . The effects of these changes are becoming increasingly evident in the North.
Why is climate change worse in the Arctic?
These are the facts: Melting ice speeds up climate change. Global warming is causing Arctic ice to melt – ice reflects sunlight, while water absorbs it. When the Arctic ice melts, the oceans around it absorb more sunlight and heat up, making the world warmer as a result.
Is the Arctic getting bigger?
The Arctic regularly reaches ever smaller extents of end-of-summer minimum extents of sea ice. This changing sea ice extent is cited by the IPCC as an indicator of a warming world. However, sea ice extent is growing in Antarctica [1]. In fact, it’s recently broken a record for maximum extent .
How quickly is the Arctic melting?
We lose Arctic sea ice at a rate of almost 13% per decade , and over the past 30 years, the oldest and thickest ice in the Arctic has declined by a stunning 95%. If emissions continue to rise unchecked, the Arctic could be ice-free in the summer by 2040.
How do humans impact the Arctic?
Air pollution affects tundra environments in different ways. ... And toxic mercury, sent into the atmosphere by coal-burning and industrial activity, is accumulating in the Arctic tundra, threatening both humans and animals who live in the region. Air pollution can also harm or kill the important food source of lichen.
What animals are affected by the warming Arctic?
The report highlights climate change impacts on 17 species: the Arctic fox ; polar bear; Pacific walrus; four ice seals (ringed, bearded, harp and ribbon seals); four whales (gray, beluga, bowhead
Why is the Arctic so important?
The Arctic is crucial for lots of reasons. Not just because it’s home to the iconic polar bear, and four million people, but also because it helps keep our world’s climate in balance . ... The Arctic also helps circulate the world’s ocean currents, moving cold and warm water around the globe.
Why is Arctic in danger?
Climate change poses the greatest danger to the Arctic and its wildlife. The Arctic is warming twice as fast as any place on the planet. ... Unfortunately, an increase in development will bring increased ship traffic, leading to increased noise pollution, disturbance of wildlife and a greater risk for disaster.
Why is the Arctic Circle in danger?
Glaciers are melting in the Arctic Circle region. Evidence has shown the Arctic is warming faster than other regions on Earth, causing glaciers and other ice to melt during the summer months. This means that Arctic animals’ habitats, or their homes, are disappearing.
Why are polar bears in danger?
Polar bears spend over 50% of their time hunting for food. ... But because of ongoing and potential loss of their sea ice habitat resulting from climate change –the primary threat to polar bears Arctic-wide–polar bears were listed as a threatened species in the US under the Endangered Species Act in May 2008.
