New arctic climate

Subject: Environment

Context:

Global warming has dramatically changed the Arctic’s climate, adding a rainy season almost equal to India’s and up to 10 months without snow

Concept:

• There are regions of our planet that have continued to be pristine for millions of years, like  Antarctica and the Arctic. These regions are the barometer to gauge the severity of human-induced climate change.
• If the climate in these regions changes, the planet would be up for a completely different climate, with disruptive consequences.
• Both polar regions are under intense observation and have been showing signs of climate change impacts.
• The Arctic particularly showed late signs of change due to the global warming caused by human-emitted greenhouse gases that ultimately lead to change in climate. But in recent years, this process has gathered speed.
• The current generation became the first in human memory to witness exposed earth in this snow-covered part of the planet. In all probability, human witness a completely new climate in the Arctic. By the end of this century, the Arctic would be ice-free for up to 10 months.
• In fact, the northern polar region might have already entered into a ‘new Arctic climate’ phase. The ‘new’ climate in the snow-capped pole is warmer, rainier and without its pivotal snow that plays a key role in its overall climate.
• The Arctic has now warmed so significantly that its year-to-year variability is moving outside the bounds of any past fluctuations, signaling the transition to a ‘new Arctic’ climate regime.
• It means weather events like the highest temperature or least snow in winter that the region has been reporting, are going to be the new normal.