Melting Polar Ice and Glaciers: The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average, causing rapid loss of sea ice, Greenland’s ice sheet, and mountain glaciers worldwide. This contributes significantly to sea-level rise—threatening coastal cities, island nations, and freshwater supplies for millions who depend on glacial meltwater (e.g., in the Himalayas). Ice loss also reduces Earth’s albedo, accelerating warming in a dangerous feedback loop. Thawing permafrost releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Indigenous Arctic communities face cultural and physical displacement. While the 2015 Paris Agreement aims to limit warming, current trajectories suggest ice-free Arctic summers by 2030s. Protecting polar regions requires drastic emissions cuts and international cooperation, as their fate is inextricably linked to global climate stability.
Add Comment + Vote ( 1 )...
There are currently no comments !