'The Arctic is dying': Last ice area will disappear faster than you think
Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Fragile Sanctuary
The Arctic's "Last Ice Area" (LIA), critical for ice-dependent species, could vanish within a decade, as revealed by a McGill University study using high-resolution models.
Species Haven
Polar bears, belugas, walruses, and other ice-obligate species rely on the LIA for survival, highlighting its irreplaceable role in Arctic ecology.
Shrinking Timeline
Earlier models suggested decades of stability, but new simulations predict the LIA may disappear shortly after the central Arctic becomes ice-free in summer mid-century.
Urgent Action
Madeleine Fol, lead author of the study, emphasized the need to reduce global warming to stabilize projections and safeguard the LIA's habitat.
Protected Zone
The Canadian government designated part of the LIA as the Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area, extending interim protection through 2024 while considering long-term conservation.
Credit: dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Community Role
Inuit communities, alongside organizations like WWF, are deeply invested in protecting the LIA to support Arctic ecosystem resilience and cultural ties.
Rapid Melting
Professor Bruno Tremblay explained that high-resolution models show thick ice flowing southward through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, accelerating melting.
Ice Dynamics
The transport of LIA sea ice into warmer waters could flush the region’s remaining ice in a decade once the central Arctic reaches continuous ice-free summers.
Preservation Need
Protecting the LIA's thick ice is vital to hinder its southward drift, ensuring the region remains a refuge for Arctic species amid climate change.