Differences in the Impacts of Climate Change on the Antarctic and the Arctic | CBCGDF Climate Change Working Group

Climate change has distinct impacts on the Antarctic and the Arctic regions. In the Arctic, the most visible change is the rapid loss of sea ice. This has a profound impact on the local ecosystem. For example, polar bears rely on sea ice for hunting seals. As the ice melts, their hunting grounds shrink, endangering their survival. The Arctic also has a large human population compared to the Antarctic, and the changing climate affects indigenous communities' traditional ways of life, such as fishing and reindeer herding.

While in contrast, in the Antarctic, the melting of ice shelves is a major concern. These large ice shelves act as barriers, preventing the inland ice from flowing into the ocean more rapidly. When they melt, it can accelerate the rise in sea levels globally. The Antarctic also has a unique and fragile ecosystem that is being affected differently. For instance, the krill population, which is a key part of the Antarctic food chain, is being disrupted by changes in ocean temperature and ice cover.

Furthermore, the Arctic is more influenced by human activities such as shipping and oil exploration due to its proximity to populated areas. While the Antarctic has the Antarctic Treaty System in place to protect it from extensive human interference, the impacts of climate change are still significant and different from those in the Arctic.

 

Translator: Richard

Checked by Maggie

Editor: Richard

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776


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