An ice-free Arctic will have drastic effects on the oceans of the world. This continuous loss of sea ice would accelerate global warming because dark ocean waters will absorb more sunlight than the reflective ice. It will result in the albedo effect, contributing to higher global temperatures and further melting the ice. It would not only disrupt marine ecosystems by endangering many species but also alter oceanic food webs and biodiversity.
Additionally, the melting ice will also affect the ocean currents. It will release freshwater into the ocean, disturbing the thermohaline circulation, which is crucial for maintaining climate balance globally. Everyone has already started experiencing its effects, like changes in weather patterns, increased extreme weather events, altered precipitation patterns worldwide, etc.
India will also face the consequences of all these catastrophic variations. All the changes in ocean temperatures and currents may significantly impact India’s monsoon, which is important for agriculture. It will threaten food security and water resources, affecting the millions. The melting ice will lead to rising sea levels, eventually resulting in coastal erosion, flooding, and saltwater intrusion. This phenomenon will mainly affect the coastal regions of Mumbai and Kolkata. Moreover, it will also decline the fish stocks of India’s fishing industry, which is a vital economic sector and food source of many coastal communities.