In an innovative attempt to address the critical issue of melting Arctic ice, a Dutch startup, Arctic Reflections, is exploring a technique traditionally used to create outdoor skating rinks. This approach involves flooding fields with thin layers of water to gradually build up ice, which could potentially be applied to the Arctic ice caps to combat their rapid decline.
Melting Arctic Ice Crisis
Arctic ice is shrinking by nearly 13% per decade, with scientists warning that ice-free summers in the Arctic could become a reality by 2050. This not only accelerates global warming due to the reduced albedo effect (where ice reflects sunlight back into space), but it also endangers polar bears’ habitats and the lifestyles of Indigenous communities dependent on Arctic ecosystems.
Fonger Ypma, the CEO of Arctic Reflections, was inspired by the Dutch tradition of creating ice-skating rinks by applying thin layers of water that freeze into a thick, skateable surface. Ypma proposes using a similar method to build up layers of ice in the Arctic, potentially extending the lifespan of the ice sheets.
Field Tests in Nunavut, Canada
Arctic Reflections, in collaboration with Real Ice, has conducted field tests in Iqaluktuuttiaq (Cambridge Bay), Nunavut, Canada. They used a 600-watt, hydrogen fuel-cell-powered water pump to drill through existing ice and refreeze seawater on the surface, achieving an additional 10-20 cm of ice thickness. The long-term goal is to scale this method using underwater drones to cover larger areas efficiently.
Skepticism and Challenges
Despite the potential, experts remain cautious about the feasibility and impact of this method on a large scale. Julienne Stroeve, a professor at University College London, notes that while sea ice helps keep the planet cool, the vast scale of the Arctic Ocean (about 14 million square kilometers) makes it unlikely that such measures alone can significantly affect the global climate. She emphasizes that the primary solution lies in reducing carbon emissions.
Local and Global Goals
The initiative also aims to support local communities by maintaining the sea ice in specific areas, potentially preserving habitats for wildlife and traditional hunting grounds for Indigenous peoples. Moreover, strategic placement of ice-making sites could leverage natural sea currents to spread thicker ice more effectively.
While there are significant challenges and uncertainties associated with this approach, Arctic Reflections’ project represents a creative and proactive effort to mitigate some of the impacts of climate change. As the climate crisis accelerates, such innovative ideas may become increasingly necessary to “buy time” while broader solutions to reduce carbon emissions are implemented.