The Arctic region is warming up the fastest in the world! What is the impact on China? Chief Scientist of the Arctic Exploration Team Explains Doubts about the Arctic Ocean | Sea Ice | Impact
At the 13th daily meeting of China's Arctic Ocean Scientific Expedition, this scene caught the attention of reporters - according to the analysis of the sea ice environment group of the expedition team, the melting of sea ice in the middle ridge area of the Arctic Ocean is very obvious, and may even affect the scheduled operation plan, and a response plan must be formulated.
"This indirectly confirms the overall trend of rising Arctic temperatures," said Chen Zhi, chief scientist of the expedition team and researcher at the National Marine Environment Forecasting Center.
Why is Arctic warming significant? What is the impact on China and other parts of the world? How can we act in the face of climate change? During the 13th Arctic scientific expedition organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources in China, the reporter interviewed Chen Zhi to analyze Arctic climate change.
Why is Arctic warming significant?
Recently, the China Meteorological Administration released the "Polar Climate Change Annual Report", which showed that the Arctic has accelerated its warming in the past 40 years. In 2022, the overall average temperature in the Arctic is 1.1 degrees Celsius higher than usual.
According to the report, the total amount of Arctic summer sea ice is continuously decreasing. Meanwhile, from 1984 to 2021, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere of the Arctic region has shown a stable upward trend, which is basically consistent with the global trend of change.
"Overall, global warming is the main trend of climate change today. However, in the context of climate change, the increase in global average temperature is uneven in space." Chen Zhi said that globally, the Arctic region is the fastest warming region.
The reason for the significant and rapid warming in the Arctic is the existence of a so-called "positive feedback mechanism of ice and snow.".
"When the temperature in the area increases, the sea ice decreases, and the reflected solar radiation from the sea ice also decreases. The solar radiation absorbed by the local surface or sea surface increases, and the local atmospheric temperature is further fed back and raised through the sea air interaction." Chen Zhi told reporters that under the influence of the "positive feedback mechanism of ice and snow", the warming effect is amplified, forming a "warming virtuous cycle", leading to a significant increase in Arctic temperature.
What are the impacts of Arctic climate change?
In recent years, when it comes to cold waves, the winter cold wave of 2020/2021 has left a deep impression on people. The reason for the unusually severe cold wave was the abnormal changes in the Arctic polar vortex.
"In winter, there is a cold low-pressure system over the Arctic region, which corresponds to a cyclonic vortex in the atmospheric circulation, hence it is called a polar vortex." Chen Zhi said that according to relevant research, in the winter of 2020/2021, the polar vortex in the Arctic was "cut off" by two high-pressure groups on the left and right, and was subsequently squeezed southward, forming an extreme cold wave in North China.
In addition to exacerbating extreme weather, Arctic climate change also has a potential promoting effect on regional development.
Chen Zhi said, "The increase in temperature leads to the melting of sea ice. During the summer navigation season, ships with a certain ice level do not need to be piloted by icebreakers and can independently navigate the Northeast Arctic Passage, shortening the sea route from East Asia to Nordic Europe by about 30%." The shortening of the voyage significantly reduces transportation costs and increases the shipping value in the Arctic region.
"In short, as the largest developing country in the Northern Hemisphere, China is directly, rapidly, and profoundly affected by climate and environmental changes in the Arctic region," said Chen Zhi.
What is the role of Arctic scientific research in studying Arctic climate?
"Overall, scientific research assignments related to marine water bodies, sea ice, and the atmosphere can directly or indirectly contribute to the study of Arctic climate," said Chen Zhi.
The deployment of meteorological sounding balloons can directly reflect the weather and climate of the Arctic by observing indicators such as wind speed, humidity, and atmospheric composition, and collecting meteorological data. Detecting parameters such as temperature and salinity in the ocean can help grasp the role of the ocean in the process of Arctic climate change. The study of marine organisms can also infer the impact of changes in the marine environment on ecosystems by collecting biological samples, observing changes in organisms at a certain time scale.
"For example, in the South China Sea, when the ocean temperature rises, corals will experience bleaching and death." Chen Zhi said that changes in biological communities are important indicators reflecting the evolution of the ocean or sea ice.
"However, scientific research is not something that can be achieved overnight," Chen Zhi reminded. Currently, polar scientific research is mainly focused on business surveys, which involve collecting data and samples with long-term significance for the Arctic, rather than simply pursuing the production of short-term scientific research results.
"The larger the coverage of data and the longer the historical time, the more accurate the grasp of climate change, and the more targeted research can be carried out. What we are doing now can also lay a data foundation for climate research," said Chen Zhi.
How can we act in the face of Arctic climate change?
"Strengthening the monitoring and prediction of Arctic climate, promoting international cooperation, developing low-carbon economy, and enhancing the utilization and development of Arctic waterways are the entry points for China's participation in Arctic climate change governance," said Chen Zhi.
Throughout this Arctic scientific expedition, the collection of numerous first-hand data can contribute to the analysis of Arctic climate. At the same time, the scientific expedition team includes scientists from countries such as Russia and Thailand, and Chinese and foreign scientists jointly carry out relevant research, effectively promoting international cooperation in Arctic scientific exploration.
On the other hand, Chen Zhi said, "In recent years, China has made efforts to promote carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, fully demonstrating the responsibility of a major country."
Finally, the development of Arctic scientific research is itself a contribution to the development of the Arctic navigation system. "Observing sea conditions, sea ice, and meteorology can objectively enhance the navigation support capability of the Arctic," said Chen Zhi.
"But strengthening the utilization and development of the Arctic waterway goes far beyond that." Chen Zhi said that in the future, international cooperation should continue to be strengthened, and active measures should be taken from multiple perspectives such as scientific research and low-carbon economy to contribute to the protection of the global environment and sustainable development of humanity.
