After 389 days in the Arctic on a project costing over $160 million, scientists unexpectedly returned with bad news.
On October 12, 2020, scientists involved in the world’s largest Arctic exploration mission returned after a 389-day journey. The team of 300 scientists from 20 countries around the world witnessed firsthand the impacts of global warming on Arctic ice.
The goal of this expedition, with a budget of $165 million, was to understand the climate interactions in the Arctic region, thereby adding more accurate models to global climate predictions. Discoveries regarding the atmosphere, sea ice, and ecosystems could assist experts in improving weather forecasts and provide better assessments of the impacts of climate change both regionally and globally.
MOSAiC is considered the largest Arctic mission in history. (Photo: MOSAiC Expedition).
The Polarstern vessel, operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute (Germany), was responsible for transportation, housing, and assisting scientists in exploring and collecting data and samples in the Arctic.
According to experts, the Polarstern mission is also known as MOSAiC. The team spent over a year collecting data, from sea ice and oceans to ecosystems and geobiology, while also developing models.
Unlike Antarctica, the Arctic region lacks fixed research stations. As a result, very few groups conduct long-term research in this area.
Nevertheless, the Arctic plays a crucial role in global climate change. After completing the 389-day journey, scientists returned with alarming news.
According to the scientists’ initial predictions, the Arctic may be ice-free during the summer within a few decades of the 21st century. This significant change will greatly impact the weather and climate of the entire Northern Hemisphere.
This expedition gathered hundreds of scientists from 20 countries worldwide.
Undeniable Truths from the Arctic
Scientists collected over 1,000 ice samples in the Arctic.
The melting ice has revealed raw materials such as natural gas, crude oil, and metals in the Arctic. Conversely, with the disappearance of ice shelves, new shipping routes and fishing grounds are beginning to emerge in the Arctic. All these changes mean that there needs to be a clear framework to protect the sustainable development of the Arctic. Therefore, a better understanding of the climate and environmental systems can help protect the Arctic.
An investigator from the ecosystem research team of this expedition pointed out that warming in the Arctic has rapidly increased since the pre-industrial era. Related studies indicate that ice loss is the main reason. As the ice melts, deeper water can absorb more solar radiation, leading to Arctic amplification, or the phenomenon of faster warming in this region.
The Polarstern has spent hundreds of days and nights in the Arctic. (Photo: MOSAiC Expedition).
According to scientists, since 1980, the thickness of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean has significantly decreased and is now only half of its original size. The thickness of ice floes has been declining for many years, corresponding to the severe warming in the Arctic.
Sampling ice floes can help scientists analyze changes in microorganisms within the ice and the role of climate influences.
The MOSAiC mission concluded on October 12, 2020, about a month and a half later than the original plan. After more than a year, this expedition brought back 150 terabytes and over 1,000 ice samples.
Team leader Markus Rex stated: “This expedition will undoubtedly yield results at many different levels.“
In reality, according to experts, the data analysis will take years to develop models that can forecast heat waves, heavy rainfall… over the next 20, 50, or even 100 years.
However, one undeniable fact is that the Arctic is “dying.” Even with more proactive measures, ice in this region will still be lost during the summer in the coming decades. This is likely irreversible.
Ms. Stefanie Arndt, an expert on the physical characteristics of sea ice, remarked: “It is heartbreaking to know that we may be the last generation to witness a summer Arctic still covered in ice.“
The shrinking Arctic Ocean and thinning ice layers put many species at risk of extinction.
The reduction in the Arctic Ocean due to global warming poses significant risks to many species residing there, such as polar bears, seals, seabirds, and beluga whales.
Additionally, the impacts of climate change are slowing the warm water currents from the tropics to the North Atlantic, which could lead to the complete collapse of this system. As a result, climate change will spread across Western Europe and North America. Ultimately, the disappearance of the Arctic Ocean will affect the entire climate system.
What is happening in the Arctic serves as a wake-up call for everyone regarding the effects of climate change. According to scientists, we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as possible and join efforts to protect the surrounding environment.
