Impacts of Global Warming: Arctic Its a region North of Arctic Circle 66.

ircle 66.50 line of latitude- in winter, no light, in summer, no dark Ice sheets, sea ice, Countries include: Norway, Alaska, Finland, and Sweden 2004-2005, 14% loss of Arctic ice causing sea levels to rise More albedo as less ice and more darker water so absorbs more heat hence speeding up melting of surrounding ice (albedo- amount of solar radiation reflected) 50-60% of Arctic ice to be lost by 2100 Average world temperature increased 0.74o C between 1906-2005 but Arctic has increased roughly double that

Cryosphere: the planets snow and ice Snow covered regions decreased 1961-1998, loss of glacier ice volume of 400km2

Effects on environment: o Sea ice (frozen crust of ocean) o May break into floes and plates o Floes are separated by areas of open water o Sea ice formed in single winter normally 2-4m thick o Extent of sea ice best studied by satellites o Once ice reaches critical thinness, itll break up and disintegrate Tree line moves north Tundra ecosystems lost Permafrost thawing out

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Effects on animals: o o Animals need to adapt to new weather- cause change in food chains Fish: o Warmer water reduced marine plants on which smaller fish feed o This disturbs food chain- negative multiplier effect Polar bears: o They hunt seals which are reducing in number o Faster annual ice melt has reduced hunting season so less time to hunt o Females rely on Spring season to build up body fat but since this season has reduced, less time so theyre losing too much body fat in winter making them more susceptible to disease and unable to reproduce

Effects on people: o o Home to 4 million people (155,000 Inuit people) Ice used to protect Inuit people from coast but now more exposed so forced to move inland

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80% of Inuit hunt marine fish and mammals all of which are declining. 70% of Inuit income is from hunting Caribou and other animals provide nutrition as well, which is necessary for Inuit as they need protein for living in cold weather Importing is very expensive

Benefits: o o o Increase in tourism which is good for Inuit people to earn money from In 2007, passage between Canada and Arctic melted allowing shipping This shipping may increase risk of oil spills and nuclear waste disposal