“Steep” changes in progress in Antarctica

Scientists. Consequently, mostly based in Australia, underline the emergence of evidence of rapid changes In the Antarctic Environment: Recoil of the ice floe, slowdown in an ocean current, cast iron of the ice cap and threats for certain species such as emperors.

Antarctica shows disturbing signs of change from the point of view of ice, ocean and ecosystems. Meanwhile, Some of these steep changes will be difficult to stop and have effects for future generations.

Scientists alert for years on the risks posed by climate change of human origin for Antarctica and on “steep” changes progress antarctica the potentially catastrophic consequences for the future, such as the rise in the level of the oceans caused by the melting of ice.

But the study also shows how these changes are interconnected Between them. can also aggravate climate change, underlines Nerilie Abram.

The decline in the ice floe reduces its ability to reflect solar energy (Albedo effect), thus exacerbating warming. The British Polar Research Institute (Low) also showed. in a study published in June, that the Emperor Penguin colonies decline faster than expected due to the decline in this ice floe.

The slowdown in the antarctic ocean current. the melting of the glacial caps also strengthen each other, a vicious circle that scientists describe as a feedback loop. These phenomena in turn encourage global warming or the rise in long -term ocean level.

The West Antarctic Glacial Cuff has already been identified by scientists as exposed to the risk of an irreversible tilting. due to the rise in temperatures. Unlike sea ice floe. its cast iron increases the levels of the oceans, a phenomenon likely to spread over centuries and which will continue even if the climate stabilizes.

This antarctic area contains enough frozen water to raise the level of the planet’s oceans by about six meters. Half of this mass, equivalent to about three meters, would be at risk of an upcoming irreversible “steep” changes progress antarctica collapse.

In conclusion. the authors believe that The only certain way of reducing the risk of steep changes in the Antarcotic Environment is to make rapid and profound reductions of CO emissions₂ During this decade And to limit warming as close as possible to 1.5 ° C, the most ambitious limit of the Paris Agreement.