At first this work will look at the different aspects of the cryosphere and the changes that occur in these different areas. As the cryosphere includes many different aspects, only the changes occurring in the following aspects will be examined: sea ice, glaciers and ice sheets, and permafrost. Afterwards a selection of small-scale impacts from these changes on different aspects of human life aspects will be explained. Here the wide range of different aspects of human life, which will be affected by these changes will be shown. In the end the findings will be concluded and an outlook into the future will be given.
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges that humanity is facing today. It will cause, global effects that will have severe impacts on many aspects of human life (IPPC 2014). But some areas of the world will be more affected by these changes than others. One of these areas is the cryosphere. The global cryosphere encompasses all aspects of the frozen realm, including glaciers and ice sheets, sea ice, lake and river ice, permafrost, seasonal snow, and ice crystals in the atmosphere.
There are three mayor cryosphere regions, these are: Antarctica, the Arctic Ocean and the extra polar snow and mountain environments. As these mountain ranges are located all over the globe, cryosphere areas can even be found along the equator. Climate change will be felt earlier and more severely in the cryosphere and in the arctic regions, than the rest of the world. This is the case because as snow cover, sea ice and ice sheets diminish, this will produce further warming as the albedo in these areas decreases. Changes in these areas due to climate change will have severe impact on the human way of life. Especially native inhabitants of these cryosphere areas will be affected, as they have lesser capabilities to adapt to these changes, which threaten their way of life. In this paper we will focus on the social and economic impacts of these changes, with a special focus on how native arctic inhabitants will be affected. They deserve a special focus as they are most affected by these changes, while only contributing little to the anthropogenic climate change.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Effects of cryosphere change on humans
2.1 Cryosphere changes
2.1.1 Sea Ice
2.1.2 Glaciers and Ice Sheets
2.1.3 Permafrost
2.2 Impacts of cryosphere change
2.2.1 Hydropower
2.2.2 Shipping routes and geopolitics
2.2.3 Structure damages
2.2.4 Health of Arctic populations
3 Conclusion
Objectives and Research Focus
The paper examines the socio-economic impacts of climate-induced changes within the global cryosphere, specifically focusing on how these environmental shifts directly affect human life and native Arctic populations.
- The physical transformation of sea ice, glaciers, and permafrost due to global warming.
- The socio-economic consequences for hydropower production and international shipping logistics.
- Geopolitical tensions resulting from newly accessible regions and resources.
- The degradation of infrastructure built on permafrost and the resulting structural damage.
- Health implications for indigenous communities due to dietary shifts and increased exposure to infections.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2.3 Structure damages
As shown in point 2.1.3 permafrost covers huge chunks of the earth’s land surface. This means that inevitably people live in areas that are covered by permafrost. Examples for this are regions in Russia and northern Canada. But as these areas are affected by permafrost thaw, this has consequences for the people living there. For one, structures that were built on permafrost ground are now affected, as the bearing capacity of permafrost decreases with warming (ANISIMOV a. RENEVA 2006). Through frost heaving and the thawing of the soil, structures can be damaged. This often affects roads, which can be damaged severely and become unusable (DAVIS 2000: 240–241). This then has negative social consequences, as it becomes difficult to reach isolated regions. This negatively affects people’s access to e.g. healthcare and social care. As most native populations live in more isolated areas, these are especially affected by these changes. Buildings are also affected by the thawing of permafrost (Fig. 4). This is especially critical for Russia where several large cities with populations over a hundred thousand people are built almost entirely on permafrost soil. In some cities the percentage of damaged buildings increased by 90% from 1990–1999. This number is of course also affected by improper construction and leaking sewage, but the thawing of permafrost is the driving factor (ANISIMOV a. RENEVA 2006). The loss of shelter has negative social consequences and the loss of commercial buildings has inevitable negative economic impacts.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the global challenges posed by climate change, specifically regarding the cryosphere, and outlines the scope of the paper focusing on socio-economic impacts on human life.
2 Effects of cryosphere change on humans: This section provides a detailed analysis of physical changes in sea ice, glaciers, and permafrost, followed by an examination of how these changes influence hydropower, shipping, infrastructure, and the health of Arctic populations.
3 Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the findings, emphasizing that while some regions might benefit economically, the most vulnerable populations face significant negative consequences, and calls for greater attention to these small-scale impacts.
Keywords
cryosphere, climate change, humans, native arctic populations, sea ice, glaciers, permafrost, hydropower, shipping routes, geopolitics, structural damage, Arctic health, indigenous, warming, socio-economic impacts
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper explores the small-scale socio-economic impacts of cryosphere degradation caused by climate change, specifically focusing on how environmental shifts affect human systems and indigenous populations.
What are the primary themes discussed in the text?
The central themes include the physical decline of the cryosphere, its impact on hydroelectric power, the emergence of new shipping routes, geopolitical challenges, infrastructure instability, and health risks for Arctic residents.
What is the main research objective of this study?
The primary goal is to identify and explain how specific changes in the cryosphere, such as melting ice and thawing permafrost, directly influence the way of life and economic stability of communities residing in these regions.
Which scientific methodology is utilized in this paper?
The paper utilizes a literature-based synthesis and analysis approach, incorporating data from climate models, sociological studies, and regional reports to evaluate the intersection of environmental and human factors.
What aspects of human life are analyzed in the main body?
The main body focuses on infrastructure vulnerability, hydropower efficiency, the economic and geopolitical shifts in shipping, and the nutritional and epidemiological health status of native Arctic peoples.
Which keywords best characterize the study?
Key terms include cryosphere, climate change, Arctic populations, permafrost, hydropower, shipping routes, and infrastructure integrity.
How does the melting of permafrost specifically affect urban areas?
Permafrost thaw reduces the bearing capacity of the ground, causing structural damage to buildings, roads, and pipelines, which leads to negative economic consequences and isolation for populations in regions like Russia and Canada.
What is the correlation between cryosphere change and indigenous health?
The decline in traditional hunting opportunities due to shifting ice conditions leads to a reduced consumption of traditional foods, which in turn correlates with a rise in BMI and higher risks of cardiovascular diseases as populations turn to Western diets.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Michael McKiney (Autor:in), 2019, Human And Cryosphere Interaction. Small Scale Effects of Cryosphere Change on Humans, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/983531
