Latest news with #ArcticAmplification
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists issue warning after discovering concerning trend taking place in Arctic: 'The next step is to apply these insights'
An alarming new study warns that disturbing climate markers in the Arctic might become part of the region's permanently altered climate state within 25 years. Unusual weather recorded in the Arctic may soon become the new normal for the sensitive region, which has been experiencing accelerated warming. The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than Earth's average, a phenomenon known as "Arctic Amplification." A recent study cautions that changes observed in the Arctic could reach a critical tipping point by the middle of this century. "In the rapidly warming and wetting Arctic, the time of emergence (ToE) of a new climate state occurs when trends of climate indicators are large enough to surpass the strong natural climate fluctuations in the Arctic," the study published in Nature Briefing: Anthropocene states. "Most regions of the Arctic are close to a new climate state (for temperature and sea ice), with wide-ranging and possibly irreversible consequences for vulnerable Arctic ecosystems and human activities." "We were excited to see that we were able to estimate ToE in a consistent and robust way. The next step is to apply these insights in society, policy, and ecology," said Richard Bintanja, professor of climate and environmental change at the University of Groningen and co-author of the study, per The study's scientists analyzed changes in sea ice thickness, freeze and thaw patterns, and changes in temperatures in the Arctic. Thicker ice can be a natural buffer protecting shorelines from erosion by storms that, in many cases, are now supercharged by our warming world. As the Arctic warms, the ice thins, leaving coastal areas that Indigenous groups depend on for catching fish vulnerable. Accelerated Arctic warming is affecting human health in multiple ways, as wildfires and melting permafrost put regional communities at increased risk. "Geographic isolation, lack of health infrastructure, and poverty can make healthcare disparities worse between rural and urban Alaskans," according to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency. "Climate change makes these factors worse and can directly affect health through events like floods. Indigenous communities are particularly vulnerable to climate impacts and can face institutional barriers to getting funding and resources to adapt." Curbing the emissions of heat-trapping gases by transitioning to renewable energy sources will help cool off the planet. A team of scientists from Germany and Korea recently made some promising discoveries that could pave the way for "artificial photosynthesis," a new type of clean energy. Adding solar panels to your home is a cost-effective way to reduce your environmental footprint. Paired with battery storage, they can also boost your home's resilience to extreme weather. EnergySage provides a free tool to connect you with trusted local installers and help cut costs. Starting conversations with friends and family about urgent climate issues — such as eye-opening trends in the Arctic — can help raise awareness and inspire action. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists issue urgent warning as vital US forecasting systems near collapse: 'I was completely blindsided'
Federal spending cuts have put a 175-year-old program that measures Arctic sea ice in jeopardy. The Trump administration on May 5 ended sea ice and snow cover data services under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Alaska Beacon reported. The National Centers for Environmental Information will cut back the services of the National Snow and Ice Data Center to basic levels, allowing access but forgoing maintenance, updates, and support. A NOAA spokesperson said the process began over a year ago. The Beacon reported that this will affect infrastructure planning in Alaska and eliminate important tools that help measure the changing climate and are used around the world. That includes monthly analyses of sea ice extent and concentration that dates to 1850, historical photos of glaciers, and data about snowpack properties. "They're all things that are useful for illustrating change," Rick Thoman of the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy told the Beacon. "I mean, why on Earth would you take away a glacier photo collection?" Other services can help fill some of the information vacuum, but comparisons "will be much more difficult," Thoman said, adding his reaction to the change: "I was completely blindsided." The historical tracking may be gone forever. Earth is warming rapidly because of humans' burning of dirty fuels such as gas and coal for energy. This produces toxic heat-trapping gases that envelop the planet like a blanket and harm human health, contribute to increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather events, and endanger biodiversity. "The dark surfaces of open water exposed by ice melt absorb more solar heat than white, ice-covered surfaces do, so loss of sea ice is part of a self-reinforcing warming loop called Arctic Amplification," the Beacon stated. Arctic sea ice has dropped significantly over the last four decades, and tundra regions have switched from carbon sinks to carbon emitters, per the nonprofit news outlet. This could explain part of the administration's fixation on Greenland and Canada, which would become bigger trade and economic hubs if sea ice cover was permanently lost. How often do you feel hopeful about the future of the planet when you read news stories or watch entertainment content? Often Sometimes Rarely Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The Alaska Senate in April asked NOAA to continue its Marine Environmental Buoy Database, which is another program set to be axed, at the end of the month. The data helps improve marine safety, the Beacon reported, and the body would also like buoys to be repaired to improve the service. News outlets' reporting on these critical climate issues is essential to raise awareness of the issue as well as problems such cuts could cause. Individuals can act by contacting their elected representatives and spreading the word among friends and family. Broadly, the loss of Arctic sea ice can be slowed by the adoption of cleaner energy sources. At home, this means investing in solar energy, installing efficient appliances, and even using less plastic. On a smaller but still important scale, support brands that make eco-friendly decisions, shop for secondhand clothes, and make better use of the things you no longer need by trading them in rather than throwing them out. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
