What's going on with the Earth's 'refrigerator'?

This annual report also said that although the temperature of sea water in 2017 is less hot than in 2016, the intensity and speed of warming in the Arctic are 2 times faster than the rest of the world.

Every year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) conducts reports on the North Pole to monitor global climate change. This year, with the participation of 85 scientists, the report triggered a public debate when it pointed out that there is a risk of becoming a "normal area" soon. Accordingly, the Arctic sea water is heating up and the ice is melting at the fastest speed within 1500 years.

This annual report also said that although the temperature of sea water in 2017 is less hot than in 2016, the intensity and speed of warming in the Arctic are 2 times faster than the rest of the world. Recorded on 8/2017, particularly in Barents and Chukchi waters, the temperature is higher than the average of 4 degrees Celsius, delaying the freezing that usually occurs in these areas. Therefore, the amount of ice in the sea in 2017 is also the lowest ever. This is the third consecutive year that winter sea ice recovery has been lower than expected. In 2017 alone, the permafrost only has 21% of the total ice in the Arctic, much lower than the 45% in 1985.

Picture 1 of What's going on with the Earth's 'refrigerator'?
Ice melts in the Arctic.(Source: Brockpress)

To make a comparison of the current and past changes, scientists have relied on an ancient study using a document called 'proxy profile'. This record is a collection of data of locked rings and chemical fingerprints in the core, drilled from ice sheets, lake sediments and seabeds. These proxy logs are necessary for accurate monitoring of climatic factors since the late years of the 1800s.

Picture 2 of What's going on with the Earth's 'refrigerator'?
The chart of the ancient and present comparison of Cardon dioxide atmospheric concentrations, sea ice density in the Arctic, air temperature and sea surface temperature.

The diagrams illustrated from this study indicate an increase in ocean temperatures and a decrease in sea ice relative to global warming due to the increase in CO2 content in the air.

Washing Post quoted Jeremy Mathis, the head of NOAA's Arctic research team, said: 'Our Arctic is now experiencing unprecedented transformations in human history. We need to have more detailed studies to understand and anticipate the impact of this change on everyone, not just the extreme North residents' . He said comprehensive changes in temperature in the Arctic could hinder the flow of air throughout the Earth, affecting global weather as well as making weather conditions more extreme.

In other words, as Walter Meier of NASA's Goddard Space flight control center once said: 'Climate change is a global problem. So what happens in the Arctic does not simply affect each of those areas. '

Picture 3 of What's going on with the Earth's 'refrigerator'?
Unexpected developments from the Arctic cause an impact on the global context.(Photo source: AP.)

Specifically, a series of unusual snowstorms or severe droughts in the western United States and storms landing along the Gulf of Mexico coastline are the result of the Arctic situation. In addition, the reduction in fish supplies directly affects fishermen, boats and the life of organisms in the area.

Not to mention, the speedy melting of ice has made this area a new border for countries with a gateway to the sea, especially creating a strategic position between North America and Eurasia. . And the long summer-free ice in the Arctic will create favorable conditions for countries to race to exploit resources such as oil and gas.