The Impact Of Antarctica Melting Sheet In Our Planet

Our frozen world is melting - and the changes in Antarctica are certainly both disastrous and radical. If the ice shelf melts, floats, and slips into the ocean, it will increase the level of the sea, hitting coastal communities around the globe.

Cold Facts

Antarctica is larger than Europe and Australia, with more than 99% of the land permanently covered in ice, measuring almost 5km at its thickest point. Understanding this frozen part of the world has never been more important. As the devastating effects of human-caused climate breakdown are being experienced like never before, it can be easy to forget what is happening in the Antarctic - and the impact that has on our planet is inevitable.

One of the many scientists who battle harsh conditions to understand this mysterious continent. "Antarctica is the largest potential source and most uncertain contributor to sea level rise.

The Antarctic Ice Sheet holds more than 90% of all surface freshwater. If it all melted, the global sea level would rise by 57m growing the world's coasts

There was little or none on the continent 100 million years ago when dinosaurs roamed it. Consequently, the global sea level was several tens of meters higher than it is today. This scenario will not be faced any time soon, which is possibly why some people turn a blind eye to the climate change that is happening now.

How can we avoid the wildlife species existing within frozen parts of the world?

You may have heard headlines about the 'Doomsday Glacier', the name coined for the Thwaites Glacier, in 2017.

If we lose the Thwaites Glacier completely, this alone will raise global sea level by 65 cm

A marine geologist from the British Antarctica Survey. "Crucially, this may trigger a collapse of the remaining West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which would raise sea level by an additional 2.7 to 4.6m.

Keeping Antarctica frozen

We are all linked to Antarctica through Earth’s interconnected atmospheric and ocean systems. Antarctica’s ice sheets control the southern hemisphere winds that drive the current circling the continent – known as the Antarctic Circumpolar Current – which, in turn, is connected to all of Earth’s major oceans. In the same way that the Gulf Stream keeps the UK relatively warm, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current keeps Antarctica cool.

We are all connected to Antarctica through Earth's interconnected atmospheric and ocean systems. Antarctica's ice sheets control the southern hemisphere winds that drive the current circling the continent.

“The most important thing is not to think of Antarctica as just a piece of land or ice, but as a living, breathing being who deserves to be treated with integrity and respect.

“We need to shift our mindsets for the future; instead of thinking in the short term, we must start acting with integrity,” she says, reminding us of the indigenous principle of thinking seven generations in advance. “If Antarctica goes, then we will all go; it is our shared due diligence to ensure that never happens.” We need to realize how every action we take affects Antarctica and each other. Though we may find it hard to relate to this continent, it plays a crucial role in our lives. Understanding and respecting it will help us as we move into an uncertain future.

We need to shift our mindsets for our planet, and our future: instead of thinking in the short term, we must start acting with integrity. If Antarctica goes, then we all will deteriorate. We need to realize no matter what action we take affects Antarctica and humans, of course. Though we may find it hard to relate to this continent, it plays a crucial role in our lives. Understanding and respecting it will help us move into the brightest future.