Testing targeted ice-thickening methods in the Arctic to combat global warming
Global warming has reduced the Arctic sea ice volume already by 75% over the last 40 years, and even in the most optimistic carbon emissions reduction scenarios, the Arctic sea is expected to experience ice-free summers as early as the thirties. This threatens to accelerate climate change through a series of devastating feedbacks, as the Arctic sea ice functions as the Earth’s natural refrigerator, reflecting the sun’s heat back into space.
Our research team is in a race against time to develop a method to restore the Arctic’s protective ice shield by thickening the winter sea ice. We are testing a technique that involves pumping seawater onto existing ice in strategically chosen locations across the Arctic, so that the thicker, more resilient ice can withstand the summer melt and reflect the sun’s heat for longer.
Latest News
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Why Arctic sea ice intervention research can’t wait
Our advisors play a crucial role in ensuring the success of our endeavour. This week we talk to our advisor Dr. Geoffrey (Geoff) Evatt a Senior Lecturer in Applied Mathematics at the University of Manchester. Geoff has specialised in glaciology for almost 20 years, and we ask him how he became involved with Arctic Reflections…
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Into the melt: Summer fieldwork in Qikiqtarjuaq
Earlier this year, from 2 February to 8 March, we were in Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut in Canada, for our third field test on researching refreezing the Arctic sea ice. Our first field test was conducted in Svalbard (Norway), followed by one in Newfoundland. In February, we drilled holes into the sea ice and pumped the sea water from…
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News from our third field test
Since our return from our third field test in Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut in Canada, we’ve been busy sorting through all the data we collected over six weeks. The videos below provide a first-hand account of our field test. What we set out to do We’re happy that we met all three of our core objectives. What we measured Our drone flights…
Our Story: from the field
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.
Fonger Ypma
founder, Arctic Reflections
Get in touch
Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask questions, share ideas, or explore collaborations with the Arctic Reflections team. We’d love to hear from you and connect!