Melting of West Antarctica's Ice Sheet

Why in News?

Recently, A study has made concerning predictions about the inevitable melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet due to warming ocean waters.

What do Ice Sheets Represent?

1. About:

• An ice sheet is a massive glacial ice mass that covers over 50,000 square kilometers of land.
• The West Antarctic ice sheet, spanning vast land areas, is home to a significant amount of freshwater.
• Greenland and Antarctica, the world's two major ice sheets, collectively hold approximately two-thirds of the Earth's freshwater.
• Ice sheets' mass changes, either increasing or decreasing, can lead to a decrease or an increase in global mean sea levels.

2. Processes Driving West Antarctic Ice Sheet Melting:

• Ice shelves stabilize land-based glaciers, melting through warm ocean waters eroding their edges, which are the edges of an ice sheet floating on the ocean.
• Ice shelves shrink or disintegrate, accelerating glaciers behind them, releasing more ice into the ocean and causing sea level rise.

How Do They Affect Sea Levels?

1. Current Trends and Findings:

• Recent findings reveal widespread warming of the Amundsen Sea and increasing ice shelf melting in all scenarios considered.
• The projected melting will undoubtedly lead to a significant increase in sea level, significantly affecting coastal communities worldwide.

2. Implications for India and Vulnerable Coastal Regions:

• India's vast coastline and dense population make it highly susceptible to sea level rise.
• Rising seas could lead to displacement or climate refugees for coastal communities, underscoring the need for adaptive strategies like protective infrastructure construction.

Actions has India Taken Related to Antarctica

1. India entered the Antarctic Treaty in 1983 and gained consultative status on September 12th, 1983.
2. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, also known as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, is India's leading R&D institution focused on Polar and Southern Ocean research.
3. The Indian Antarctic Act of 2022 governs Antarctica's activities, focusing on mineral protection, native plant conservation, and prohibiting non-native bird introductions.
4. India currently operates two research stations in Antarctica, Maitri and Bharati.

• Dakshin Gangotri, the first station built before 1985, is no longer operational.

Way Forward

1. The Antarctic Treaty and its associated agreements are strictly adhered to for the preservation of the continent's unique environment and ecosystems.
2. More efficient materials and infrastructure for research stations and vessels operating in harsh polar conditions, minimizing environmental impact needs to be developed.
3. Researchers are exploring solar radiation management as a potential solution to slow ice melting, potentially using moderated emissions to combat ice sheet degradation.

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