The Polar Climate Change Report 2023, released on Thursday in Beijing, has unveiled alarming trends and extreme climate events in the polar regions, shedding light on far-reaching consequences for global weather patterns.
The report indicates significant anomalies in the Antarctic region. The continent experienced a slight temperature increase, with an annual average of minus 31.86 degrees Celsius\u2014 0.05 degrees Celsius above normal. However, more concerning are the frequent extreme events, including an unprecedented 40-degree Celsius temperature spike during the polar night at the South Pole, shifting from minus 74 to minus 34 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, the Arctic region witnessed its warmest summer since 1979. The annual average temperature reached minus 9.19 degrees Celsius, which is 0.97 degrees Celsius higher than usual. Some areas experienced temperature increases exceeding 2.0 degrees Celsius, underscoring the rapid warming trend in the northern polar region.
The report also highlights that Antarctic sea ice reached a record low of 1.788 million square kilometers in February 2023. “Antarctic sea ice has consistently remained at low levels over the past year, with the annual cumulative sea ice extent far below historical records,” said Wang Jinxing, deputy director of the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, during the press briefing. “This is one of the most extreme global climate events in recent years,” he emphasized.
Additionally, the 2023 report notes that the Antarctic ozone hole formed earlier and lasted longer, while Arctic ozone levels were higher than average. In terms of greenhouse gas concentrations, both polar regions showed steady increases, mirroring global trends.
“In 2023, the Arctic and Antarctic regions exhibited a persistent amplifying effect on climate change with significant impacts on local ecosystems and global weather patterns,” Wang stated. The findings underscore the urgent need for international collaboration to address the accelerating climate changes affecting the polar regions and, by extension, the entire planet.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
