Critical situation in Antarctica: "If it melted completely, it would mean the end of the world we know"

New extreme events in Antarctica, such as oceanic heat waves or ice loss, will be “virtually certain” as the planet warms up due to the climate crisis, says a study from the University of Exeter (England) published in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Science. Scientists from this prestigious academic institution warn that the recent extreme cases on the frozen continent may be the tip of the iceberg of what will happen in the future.

In doing the research, the evidence for extreme events in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean has been reviewed, including climate, sea ice, ocean temperatures, ice shelves, and biodiversity on land and sea. Thus, experts have concluded that the fragile environments of Antarctica “may well be subject to considerable stress and damage in the coming years and decades”, and therefore call for urgent political action to protect them.

“Antarctic change has global implications,” said lead author Martin Siegert of the University of Exeter.. In addition, he assured that “if Antarctica melted completely, it would mean the end of the world we know”. “The sea level would rise almost 60 meters and hundreds of cities would be under water and with no ice, the global temperature would rise,” he added.

Goal: net zero greenhouse gases

“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero is our best hope for preserving Antarctica, and this must be important for all countries and individuals,” the researcher warned the leaders of all countries in the world.

In addition, Siegert highlighted that the rapid changes now taking place in Antarctica could put many countries in breach of an international treaty. “The signatories to the Antarctic Treaty (including the UK, US, India and China) are committed to preserving the environment of this remote and fragile place,” he said.

“Nations need to understand that by continuing to explore, extract and burn fossil fuels anywhere in the world, the Antarctic environment will be increasingly affected,” the scientist said.

It will also affect biodiversity

According to experts, extreme events can also affect biodiversity, such as a drop in the number of krill, which brings problems in the reproduction of animals that depend on this crustacean, as shown by dead sea lion pups on the beaches.

Another expert, Anna Hogg, from the University of Leeds, said these studies “show that while extreme events are known to affect the world through heavy rain and flooding, heat waves and bushfires, such as those saw in Europe this summer, it has also had an impact in the remote polar regions.

“Antarctic glaciers, sea ice and natural ecosystems are affected by extreme events. Therefore, it is essential that international treaties and policies are implemented to protect these beautiful but delicate regions,” he stressed.