Topic: GS1 – Geography – Climate Change – Changes in ice caps GS3 – Environment and Ecology – Environmental pollution and degradation The topic is crucial for UPSC as it addresses climate change impacts on polar regions, requiring understanding for policymaking. |
| Context: |
| The study reveals unprecedented hindrance in Antarctic ice expansion and retreat in 2023, attributed to ocean-atmospheric warming and wind pattern changes. |
Additional information on this news:
- Study led by Dr. Babula Jena & colleagues revealed unprecedented hindrance in Antarctic ice expansion & retreat in 2023.
- Antarctic experienced low sea ice conditions each summer from 2016 to 2023.
- Slow ice expansion in 2023 was attributed to excessive upper-ocean heat & significant atmospheric circulation changes.
- Change in wind patterns, including the deepening of the Amundsen Sea Low & its eastward shift, played a crucial role.
- Record strengthening of an atmospheric block led to rapid changes in ice extent in the Ross Sea.
- Exceptional ocean-atmospheric warming, changes in winds, heat fluxes, and polar cyclones contributed to the record low ice conditions.
- Significant impacts expected on global warming amplification, Southern Ocean life, regional ecosystem, ocean circulation, ice shelf stability, and sea level rise.
- Difficulty assessing long-term decline due to short satellite observation records (~45 years).
- Anthropogenic factors likely contribute to observed ice extent decrease alongside natural climate variability.
- Further investigation needed to understand the interaction between anthropogenic forcing and climate variability in the region.
| About National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) |
● The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) is India’s premier research and development institution. ● It operates under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. ● NCPOR is responsible for coordinating India’s research activities in polar and ocean sciences. ● It conducts scientific expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic regions. ● The centre focuses on studying various aspects of polar and ocean environments, including climate change, biodiversity, and oceanography. ● NCPOR also contributes to international collaborations and initiatives in polar research. ● It plays a crucial role in advancing scientific understanding and informing policy decisions related to polar and oceanic regions. |
| About The Indian Antarctic Programme |
● The Indian Antarctic Programme, under NCPOR, began in 1981 for scientific research and exploration in Antarctica. ● NCPOR, established in 1998, coordinates and executes polar and southern ocean research along with logistics activities. ● Dakshin Gangotri was India’s first research base in Antarctica, now serving as a supply base. ● Maitri, established in 1989, is India’s second permanent research station, located in Schirmacher Oasis with Lake Priyadarshini. ● Bharti, operational since 2012, is India’s latest research facility, ensuring safety in harsh weather conditions. ● Sagar Nidhi, commissioned in 2008, is an ice-class vessel for Antarctic research, capable of navigating through thin ice. |
| PYQ: How does the melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers of the Antarctic differently affect the weather patterns and human activities on the Earth? Explain. (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2021) |
| Practice Question: Discuss the implications of the unprecedented hindrance in Antarctic ice expansion and retreat in 2023, highlighting its significance for global climate change mitigation strategies. (150 Words /10 marks) |
