Melting polar ice threatens global climate

Melting ice sheets in the polar regions are increasingly becoming a global concern, with scientists warning that continued ice loss could raise sea levels, disrupt ocean currents and alter living conditions around the world.

Earth has two major ice sheets�"Antarctica and Greenland. Both have experienced significant changes since the beginning of the 21st century due to climate change. Between 2002 and 2023, melting ice contributed an average of about 1.2 millimetres to global sea-level rise each year.

Scientists estimate that if all land-based ice on Earth were to melt, global sea levels could rise by about 70 metres, putting many coastal cities and low-lying areas at serious risk.

Melting Greenland ice could also increase the flow of freshwater into the North Atlantic, potentially weakening the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a major ocean-current system that helps regulate the global climate.

Antarctica is also losing ice rapidly in some areas. Over the past 25 years, the Getz and Pine Island ice shelves have lost about 1.9 trillion tonnes and 1.3 trillion tonnes of ice, respectively. Meanwhile, the Amery Ice Shelf in East Antarctica gained around 1.2 trillion tonnes.

Scientists say climate change and warming ocean waters are the main drivers of the ongoing ice loss. Although Antarctica is not expected to melt completely in the near future, continued ice loss could have major long-term consequences for global climate and sea levels.

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