The rapidly melting glaciers in the Himalayas and ice in the Arctic will affect the fate of people in a large way. Himalayan nations like India and China is expected to bear the brunt of it tremendously. Glacial melting leads to rising of sea levels and in future can also submerge populous coastal cities of the Himalayan nations.
Scientists till date could not come to a conclusion whether Arctic thaw results in extreme weather conditions, or vice versa, but could definitely confirm a relationship between them. It has been speculated that the effect Arctic thaw could impact the dynamics of the Southwest monsoon season in India, which contributes most of the rainfall in the country.
Melting of Arctic sea ice is also expected to increase summer heat waves in India. And such climatic changes affect the occurrence of extreme weather conditions such as droughts and floods. The melting of the Arctic sea ice has already impacted weather conditions in China. Northern parts of the country have experienced severe winters, affecting production of food, transport systems, power networks.
Ice in the Arctic sea came down to a record low in 2012 and scientists reported that it could possibly disappear by summers of 2050. It is time for political parties, environmental organisations and other communities of every nation government to brace up to deal with the issue. The need of the day is to understand the science behind melting of ice and collaboration among nations to challenge the predicament looming ahead. India and France will very soon initiate a mission involving 10 countries, to explore the effect of polar ice caps melting on climate.
picture courtesy- nbc news
