Normal sea ice is imperiled by Arctic warming. Photo courtesy of Andy Mahoney, National Snow and Ice Data Center.
The Arctic is warming at nearly twice the rate of the rest of the planet, with potentially disastrous consequences for local ecosystems and for the global climate. Measurements in the last few years show record loss of Arctic sea ice. Within the next 10-20 years, the Arctic Ocean could be ice-free in the summer. As sea ice melts, the white ice, which reflects the sun’s energy back to space, is replaced with the dark open ocean, which absorbs solar radiation. This feedback in turn accelerates the warming of the Arctic and, as a result, the world. Accelerated melting in Greenland—much faster than was predicted a few years ago—will lead to rising sea level and higher storm surges. Rapid changes in the Arctic may also affect weather and ocean patterns throughout the world. These changes are difficult to predict, but impacts could be severe and widespread.
While CO2 emissions play a primary role in Arctic warming, and other factors play a role in the loss of sea ice, the Arctic is also very sensitive to short-lived forcers (SLFs). CATF, with partner groups International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI) and Clean Air Cool Planet, works with Arctic scientists, air pollution control experts, and government officials to aggressively reduce emissions of SLFs such as methane, black carbon (BC), and precursors of tropospheric ozone. Efforts by CATF and partners have led to the establishment of the eight nation Arctic Council Task Force on Short-Lived Pollutants.
BC emissions from agricultural fires can accelerate the onset of spring melt in the Arctic. Photo courtesy of Larry Moore.
CATF is working to improve our understanding of springtime fires in Russia and Central Asia, which are critical sources of BC reaching the Arctic, and to explore options to reduce these fires. We work with academic and government scientists to improve our understanding of where BC in the Arctic originates. Finally, we have engaged with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to reduce pollution from maritime shipping vessels. As sea ice recedes, more shipping may move through the Arctic, potentially bringing new sources of pollution to this vulnerable region. CATF will work within the IMO and other venues to reduce pollution from new shipping in this area.
CATF has been involved in organizing meetings, in Oslo in 2007 and in Copenhagen in 2008, to examine the effect of short-lived polllutants on the Arctic.
