CSB IAS ACADEMY

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TOPIC OF THE DAY (DATE: 28.12.2023)
ARCTIC REPORT -2023
WHY IN NEWS?
Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released its 18th
Annual Arctic Report Card, highlighting the profound impact of extreme weather and Climate
Events on the Arctic.
What is the Arctic Report Card?
▪ It has been Issued annually since 2006, the Arctic Report Card is a timely and peer-reviewed
source for clear, reliable and concise environmental information on the current state of
different components of the Arctic environmental system relative to historical records.
Key Highlights of the Arctic Report Card
Record High Temperatures:
• The summer of 2023 was the warmest on record in the Arctic.
• The Arctic has warmed nearly four times faster than the global average since 1979 due to
climate change.
• This year was noted as the sixth warmest in the Arctic since reliable records began in
1900.
Impact of Rising Temperatures:
• Unprecedented wildfires occurred, leading to community evacuations.
• Decline in sea ice extent.
• Severe floods, food insecurity, and rising sea levels.
• Direct impacts on ecosystems, human health, and cultural practices.
Thawing of Subsea Permafrost:
• Warmer ocean temperatures are accelerating the thawing of subsea permafrost.
• This process releases methane and carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming and
exacerbating ocean acidification.
• Concerns about the unknown extent and impact of released greenhouse gases.
Food Insecurity Due to Salmon Decline:
• Western Alaska experienced significantly reduced populations of Chinook and chum
salmon, impacting Indigenous communities.
• Chinook and chum salmon populations were 81% and 92% below the 30-year mean,
respectively.
• Implications for culture, food security, and the economy.
Wildfires in Arctic Regions:
• Canada witnessed its worst wildfire season on record, affecting 40% of its Arctic and
Northern landmass.
• High temperatures and dry conditions facilitated the burning of over 10 million acres in
the Northwest Territories.

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 CSB IAS ACADEMY
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• Evacuations and diminished air quality resulted from the wildfires.
Glacier Thinning and Flooding:
• Rising temperatures led to dramatic thinning of the Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska over the
past 20 years.
• Meltwater from the glacier has caused annual floods in the region.
• In August 2023, a glacial lake on a tributary of the Mendenhall Glacier burst through its
ice dam, causing unprecedented flooding and severe property damage in Alaska’s Juneau.
Greenland Ice Sheet Melting:
• Greenland’s ice sheet experienced melting for only the fifth time in the 34-year record.
• Despite above-average winter snow accumulation, the ice sheet lost roughly 350 trillion
pounds of mass between August 2022 and September 2023.
• Greenland’s ice sheet melting is the second-largest contributor to sea-level rise.
Consequences of Rising Temperatures:
• Subsea Permafrost Thawing: Warmer oceans are causing faster melting of frozen soil
under the sea bed, releasing greenhouse gases that exacerbate climate change and ocean
acidification.
• Food Insecurity: Warming of freshwater and marine habitats affects the size and
abundance of chinook and chum salmon in Western Alaska, impacting food security and
Indigenous livelihoods.
• Wildfires: Record-breaking wildfires in the Arctic and Northern regions of Canada, fueled
by high temperatures and dry conditions, contribute to climate change and pose risks to
ecosystems and communities.
• Glacier Melting: The Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska has thinned significantly over the past
two decades due to rising temperatures.
• Severe Flooding: Glacier meltwater forming lakes and breaking ice dams can lead to
severe flooding, as observed in Juneau.
Way Forward
• Net-Zero CO2 Emissions by 2050: This involves transitioning to renewable energy sources
such as solar, wind, and hydropower. Encourage and invest in research and development
for carbon capture and storage technologies.
• Methane Emission Reductions: Implementing regulations and technologies to capture
methane emissions from agricultural activities and fossil fuel production. Promoting
sustainable agricultural practices to reduce methane emissions from livestock.
• Research and Innovation:Invest in research and development for new technologies that
can further reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Support innovation in areas such as clean
energy, sustainable agriculture, and carbon capture.
• Policy Support: Advocate for and implement policies that support a low-carbon economy.
Encourage the private sector to adopt sustainable practices through incentives and
regulations.

Phone No: 9966436875, 8374232308 2