New extremes in Antarctic virtually certain, says study

Extreme events in Antarctic such as ocean heatwaves and ice loss will certainly become more common and severe, warn researchers at the University of Exeter, UK. The study reviews evidence of extreme events in Antarctica continent and the Southern Ocean, involving weather, sea ice, ocean temperatures, glacier and ice shelf systems, and biodiversity on land and sea. With drastic action now needed to limit global warming to the Paris agreement target of 1.5°C, the researchers have warned that recent extremes in the region may be the tip of the iceberg.

Highlighting that Antarctica’s fragile environments “may well be subject to considerable stress and damage in future years and decades”, the study calls for urgent policy action to protect it. “Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero is our best hope of preserving Antarctica, and this must matter to every country and individual on the planet,” said lead author and professor Martin Siegert, from the University of Exeter.

The expert further warns that rapid changes happening in Antarctica could place many countries in breach of an international treaty. “Signatories to the Antarctic Treaty have pledged to preserve the environment of this remote and fragile place. Nations must understand that by continuing to explore, extract and burn fossil fuels anywhere in the world, the environment of Antarctica will become ever more affected in ways inconsistent with their pledge,” said Siegert. India is also among the countries which have signed the treaty.

“Our results show that while extreme events are known to impact the globe through heavy rainfall and flooding, heatwaves and wildfires, such as those seen in Europe this summer, (they) also impact the remote polar regions. Antarctic glaciers, sea ice and natural ecosystems are all impacted by extreme events,” said co-author Anna Hogg, from the University of Leeds.