Regional Effects of Climate Change

Climate Change Impacts in the Polar Regions

While there are no permanent human inhabitants of the Antarctic and only a very small percentage of humans live north of the Arctic Circle, the prospects of sea level rise due to melting ice demand that attention be focused on climate change effects expected for polar regions. 

Glacial Melt:  The continental glaciers which cover Antarctica and Greenland will likely experience melting around the edges and are ultimately likely to constitute the primary source of expected sea level rise.  Less change is expected in interior regions. 

Sea Ice:  Arctic sea ice could be drastically reduced, and navigability in the northern ocean could increase.  Ice around the Antarctic Peninsula could also decline, with fewer changes expected around the west of Antarctica. 

West Antarctic Ice Sheet:  The behavior of this massive ice sheet is a source of consternation for scientists.  Most believe only small changes are to be anticipated, but some scientists worry climate change could cause a rapid breakup, accelerating sea level rise. 

Deep Ocean Circulation:  Subpolar regions in the North Atlantic are the source of the cold deep water for all the world's oceans.  Changes in the deep ocean circulation would alter global climate. 

Ecosystems:  The area covered by permafrost would decline as mean temperatures rise.  The rich polar fishery stocks may also change species if the ocean warms. 

 

Climate change effects in other regions:
North America
Latin America
Europe
Middle East
Sub Saharan Africa
Asia
Oceania