In a Visit to Antarctica, Guterres Appeals for Action to End ‘Climate Anarchy’
At last, this week, Antonio Guterres traveled to Antarctica and experienced the impact of global warming at the place closest to the South Pole, which is largely made up of glaciers.
He said, “A lot of ice is melting and flowing into an ocean, thus an ocean level rises at speed.”
That poses a direct threat to the lives and livelihoods of people depending on coastal communities around the world. This implies that houses are not insured anymore. Secondly, it is a danger to the survival of some micronations.
Through COP28, the secretary-general urges world leaders to act promptly and not allow temperatures to rise above one and a half degrees Celsius.
Sea ice in Antarctica reaches record lows. Recent data show that during September 2014, the area was one point five million square kilometers lower than the average area, which is about the combined size of Portugal, Spain, France, and Germany.
Mr. Guterres notes that ice in Greenland is also melting at an alarming rate. It loses more than 250 gigatons of ice each year.
This means that all this indicates a global disaster. The things happening in Antarctica do not end with this place. And the things that happen thousands of miles from this place also affect this place, he said.
What Is Happening In Antarctica Right Now? (Source)
Sea level rise and ice melting:
Widespread melting of ice sheets and icebergs has contributed to the rise in global sea levels. This has posed a great threat in many low-lying coastal regions across the world.
Breakdown of Ice Shelves:
Ice shelves deteriorate due to high temperatures and consequently break. It can lead to quick transformation of the ice from land to water, which results in higher rates of rising sea levels.
Loss of Habitat for Wildlife:
Few Antarctic species, such as penguins, seals, and krill, are affected by variations in the temperature and the ice distribution. This disturbance may affect the entire food web in Antarctica.
Acidification of the Ocean: Melting ice releases freshwater that alters the salinity in the nearby oceans, thus enhancing ocean acidity. This can affect marine life, particularly with regard to species that have their shells made of calcium carbonate.
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