Title: PROTOTYPE COLUMN

Arctic Ice Meltdown: The Unseen Cost of Climate Change

In September 2020, the Arctic sea ice reached its second-lowest extent since records began, covering only 3.74 million square kilometers. This dramatic decline is a stark indicator of climate change, largely driven by the persistent warming from greenhouse gases. The impact on the natural world has been profound; polar bears, reliant on sea ice for hunting, face diminishing habitats, threatening their survival.

Source: Andy Lee Robinson, CC BY-SA 3.0

The geopolitical landscape is shifting as nations vie for control of new shipping routes opened by melting ice. In 2021, the Northern Sea Route saw unprecedented traffic, indicating a future where the Arctic might become a significant global trade corridor. This has sparked territorial disputes over resource-rich areas, complicating international relations.

Economically, the melting ice presents both opportunities and risks. While new trade routes promise reduced shipping costs, the fragility of Arctic infrastructure poses threats. As permafrost thaws, pipelines and roads risk collapse, jeopardizing investments worth billions. By 2030, increased shipping could further stress the Arctic ecosystem, exacerbating wildlife threats.

The Arctic's transformation serves as a cautionary tale of climate change's reach. If warming trends continue, we could see ice-free summers by the 2030s, with global repercussions including altered weather patterns and rising sea levels. The urgency to address climate change has never been more apparent.

Q: Read the above newspaper article and take notes: Do such reports worry you? Why (or why not)? Then discuss in class.
A: The article highlights the alarming decline of Arctic sea ice and its wide-ranging impacts, from ecological threats to geopolitical tensions. Such reports can be worrying because they underscore the urgent need for action against climate change, which poses risks to wildlife, global trade, and infrastructure. The potential for ice-free summers and altered weather patterns further emphasizes the gravity of the situation. Discussing these concerns in class can foster awareness and inspire collective efforts to mitigate climate change.

Changed Climate: A Region in Transition

Read through the reports above regarding the situation in the years 1800, 1950, and today. Then complete the tasks listed below.

Q: Name the key environmental changes observed in the Arctic region from 1800 to today.
A: The key environmental changes observed in the Arctic region from 1800 to today include a significant increase in temperatures, a reduction in ice mass, the appearance of meltwater ponds and open water, shifts in precipitation patterns, and the increased presence of human activity, such as research stations and shipping routes.

Q: Describe how human activity has evolved in the Arctic region from 1800 to the present day.
A: In 1800, the Arctic region had minimal human presence and was largely untouched. By 1950, human activity began to increase with the establishment of research stations and small settlements. Today, human presence is much more pronounced with modern infrastructure, expanded research facilities, and increased shipping routes altering the landscape.

Q: Explain the impact of rising temperatures on the Arctic ice mass over the years.
A: Rising temperatures have led to a significant reduction in the Arctic ice mass. Starting from the 1800s, when the region was dominated by thick, unbroken ice sheets, the ice mass began to slightly diminish by 1950. Today, due to climate change, there has been substantial ice melt, reduced glacier sizes, and a drastic shrinkage in the Arctic sea ice extent, resulting in more open water and altered coastal areas.

The future

Make predictions in class about how further developments might look. Will the effects of climate change continue to intensify? What could be done to counteract this?

[Image: Worksheet Image]