The frequency and intensity of extreme events like ice loss and ocean heatwaves in Antarctica are expected to become more common and underline the urgent need to adhere to the 1.5°C goal outlined in the Paris Agreement, says a new study. The researchers looked at everything from ocean temperature and sea ice, to glaciers and ice shelves, as well as biodiversity. “Antarctic sea ice has been grabbing headlines in recent weeks, and this paper shows how sea ice records – first record highs but, since 2017, record lows – have been tumbling in Antarctica for several years,” Caroline Holmes, a sea ice expert at British Antarctic Survey, said in a statement. “On top of that, there are deep interconnections between extreme events in different aspects of the Antarctic physical and biological system, almost all of them vulnerable to human influence in some way.”Effects on cryosphereTwo recent examples of extreme events are the 2022 heatwave in East Antarctica and the lowest Antarctic sea ice extent recorded on February 25, 2022. “Antarctic glaciers, sea ice and natural ecosystems are all impacted by extreme events.
