All hands to the pump

INSPIRING NEW ACTION FOR THE ARCTIC

You may remember, over 7 years ago, in 2016, the acclaimed Italian composer and pianist Ludovico Einaudi performing one of his own hauntingly beautiful compositions 'Elegy for the Arctic' on a floating platform in the Arctic Ocean. He brought the world's attention to one of the world's most fragile ecosystems and the need for an sanctuary to protect it - helping garner over 8 million signatories which made the campaign successful. He and his grand piano were carried to the Arctic Ocean, in front of the Wahlenbergbreen glacier (in Svalbard, Norway) by the Greenpeace ship the Arctic Sunrise.

According to WWF, Arctic ice overall is shrinking by almost 13% a decade and the International Institute for Sustainable Development say that as the Arctic is warming at a faster rate than other regions in the world, summer sea ice could disappear entirely as early as 2035. Analysis just released from the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton suggests that UK heatwaves could well be linked to melting ice caps and glaciers from the same region. Dr Marliena Oltmanns' study looked at the influence of billions of tonnes of cold, fresh meltwater from ice caps and glaciers on the North Atlantic current and the position of the jet stream high in the atmosphere which in turn affects our weather. And we already know that the thawing of permafrost could bring with it a significant health hazard to those living in sub-Arctic communities including increased exposure to the cancer-causing gas, radon.

But a Dutch start-up called Arctic Reflections has further developed a technique employed in the Netherlands to create outdoor skating rinks, to try and maintain the summer arctic ice, at least until CO2 levels go down. By working with local communities and pumping water onto the surface for it to freeze and boost ice thickness, 'Arctic Reflections' key aim is to enhance the albedo effect by boosting the whiteness of the ice to reflect the sun's rays back into the atmosphere and prevent further melting.

Scientists say that whilst this idea has proven technology (the company has already won an award) and could help in the short-term on a small-scale such as strengthening habitats for wildlife including polar bears and seals, this isn't a solution for the vast areas involved or for it to have a real impact on the climate. But whilst many recognise that the only real solution is to cut our emissions to half of what they currently are, it's positive action and technology which can only be developed further.

As Fonger Ypma, the founder of Arctic Reflections says, "While restoring Arctic ice cannot replace the urgently needed reduction of carbon emissions, it is a crucial measure to avert the devastating feedback loops that come with Arctic sea ice loss."

You can read more about their project HERE whilst you may like to enjoy Ludovico's piano piece again below:-