Scientists are testing new ways to thicken and protect melting Arctic sea ice in northern Canada. Early results show promise, offering hope for the climate and local communities who depend on the ice.
Scientists are working in northern Canada to find new ways to protect the Arctic's melting sea ice. They are trying two main methods: pumping ocean water onto the ice and draining melt pools.
In one experiment, a team pumped 50,000 tonnes of ocean water onto the ice. This quickly froze, making the ice about 50 centimeters thicker and also brighter. This extra thickness helps the ice last longer.
Another method involves drilling small holes to drain pools of melted water from the ice surface. This exposes the brighter ice underneath, which helps reflect more sunlight away from the Earth.
These efforts are especially important for the Inuit people of Cambridge Bay, who call the area Ikaluktutiak. They rely on the sea ice for travel, hunting, and fishing, and have seen it become thinner and less predictable.
Arctic sea ice is melting quickly, which speeds up global warming. Ice reflects sunlight, but open ocean absorbs it, creating a cycle of more warming and melting. Protecting the ice helps slow this process.
