Extreme weather conditions, including ocean heat waves and ice loss in Antarctica, will become even more severe unless urgent policy action is taken to reduce fossil fuel consumption change.
As the world comes dangerously close to exceeding the 1.5°C warming limit set by the 2015 Paris Agreement, “continuing greenhouse gas emissions are almost certain to increase the size and frequency of events,” according to a study published Tuesday. magazine Frontiers in Environmental Science. “We cannot ignore future cascades in which extreme events may have correlated effects in many areas.”
Scientists are increasingly concerned about how Antarctic ice is struggling to grow after experiencing a record drop in February – a divergence so large it’s been dubbed the “six sigma event” or “one-on-one.” 7.5 million phenomena. The Arctic is also expected to be free of summer glaciers by 2030, highlighting how quickly global warming is damaging the planet’s ecosystems.
Rising temperatures also led to the hottest periods on record in June and July, with wildfires and heatwaves ravaging Canada and several European countries this year. South America is also struggling with unprecedented winter temperatures, with parts of Chile reaching 30C.
The world’s strongest heatwave recorded in East Antarctica. According to a study examining extreme climatic conditions in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, the temperature there in 2022 rose 38.5 degrees above the seasonal norms. The study authors also warned that low sea ice events could become more frequent and self-perpetuating as, like the Arctic, more solar heat is absorbed and less is reflected back due to the shrinking ice cover.
The study concluded that Antarctica will face significant stress and damage in the coming years. Twelve countries, including Great Britain, the United States, India and China, committed to protecting the continent’s fragile environment through the Antarctic Treaty in 1959. The study says some countries risk violating the terms of the agreement without taking immediate action to reduce emissions.
“Countries must understand that by continuing to explore, extract and burn fossil fuels anywhere in the world, the Antarctic environment will be subject to further impacts that are inconsistent with its promises,” said lead author Martin Siegert, a professor at the University of Exeter. . in a statement on Tuesday.
As Antarctic sea ice melts, more areas of the continent may become accessible to ships, and this will also require biosecurity measures as well as careful management to protect sensitive areas. “Changes in Antarctica have global implications,” Siegert said. “Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero is our greatest hope for protecting Antarctica and should be important to every country and individual on the planet.” Source
Source: Port Altele
