What Does the OPIc Exam Mean for Koreans?

 

On October 11, Dr. Eun-Jin Yang from the Korea Polar Research Institute's Marine and Atmospheric Research Division announced the discovery of two baby squids in the Arctic Ocean. Dr. Yang's team explained, "In August, while studying the Arctic marine ecosystem aboard the icebreaker research vessel Araon, we captured footage of the squids using a deep-sea camera." A closer inspection with the camera also revealed one fully-grown adult squid. The team believes that the discovery of both baby and adult squids indicates that squids are beginning to establish themselves in the Arctic marine ecosystem.

Squids typically prefer warm waters with temperatures of 15–20°C. The Arctic Ocean, however, is an extremely cold habitat with an average surface temperature of -1.8°C. The appearance of squids in the Arctic, where they have not previously been found, suggests that rising sea temperatures caused by global warming are altering the ecosystem. Since 2020, new species like jellyfish and plankton from the Pacific Ocean have also been observed in the Arctic.

Meanwhile, native Arctic species such as polar cod and polar bears are losing their habitats. Polar cod spawn near glaciers and spend their early life stages there. As glaciers melt, these spawning grounds disappear, leaving no space for young fish to grow. This places the species on the brink of extinction. Polar bears and whales face similar challenges. Senior researcher Hyeong-Sool Na explained, "In the future, it will become increasingly difficult for native Arctic marine species to find habitats with suitable water temperatures. Additionally, they must compete for food with newly introduced species, which will likely reduce their populations."

The Rapid Warming of the Arctic

The reduction of Arctic glaciers is not just a local issue. Glaciers reflect solar energy, helping to regulate Earth’s temperature. When glaciers shrink, less sunlight is reflected, and more is absorbed by the ocean, raising sea temperatures. Warmer seas then accelerate glacier melting in a vicious cycle.

As Arctic temperatures rise and permafrost thaws, organic matter trapped in the permafrost decomposes, releasing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. Permafrost contains an estimated 1.6 trillion tons of carbon dioxide—twice the amount currently in the atmosphere. The release of these gases accelerates climate change, further speeding up glacier melting.

The melting glaciers also increase the proportion of freshwater in the ocean. Freshwater, being less dense, does not mix well with saltwater, creating a physical barrier between surface and deep waters. This stratification hinders the circulation of heat and nutrients, causing surface waters to warm faster and glaciers to melt more quickly. As a result, the average Arctic temperature has increased at four times the global rate over the past 70 years, and the Arctic Ocean’s temperature has risen by more than 2°C since 1900.

Dr. Yang warned, "If we fail to address Arctic warming, climate crises will gradually affect mid-latitude countries like South Korea."

Methods to Preserve Glaciers

In January, the UK-based startup Real Ice conducted an experiment using pumps to bring seawater onto glaciers and freeze it. They drilled a hole in a 1-meter-thick glacier at Cambridge Bay in Canada and pumped up approximately 1,000 liters of seawater. The experiment successfully thickened the glacier by up to 50 cm. Real Ice claims that this technology could contribute to preserving the Arctic ecosystem.

However, this geoengineering approach cannot solve the larger problem of Arctic glacier melting. The scale and rate of melting make it impossible to keep up with using local solutions.

Dr. Julienne Stroeve, a professor of Earth Sciences at University College London, criticized the approach, stating, "The idea is not feasible. The impact of pumping seawater onto glaciers on the Arctic ecosystem also needs consideration." Real Ice CEO Sean Sherwin acknowledged, "Our approach alone cannot stop Arctic warming, but the important thing is that it buys time." He emphasized the need for technological attempts alongside more fundamental solutions.

Ultimately, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the use of sustainable energy are the most critical measures to preserve Arctic glaciers. Current passive responses, however, are insufficient to halt the decline. Dr. Stroeve stressed, "International efforts to maintain low greenhouse gas emissions are central to preserving Arctic glaciers. Global cooperation and action are vital."

Questions and Exercises

A. Vocabulary: Match the word to its definition.

1. ecosystem | _________
   • A biological community of interacting organisms and their environment.
2. permafrost | _________
   • Permanently frozen soil found in polar regions.
3. stratification | _________
   • The formation of layers in a body of water due to differences in temperature or salinity.
4. geoengineering | _________
   • The deliberate large-scale intervention in the Earth’s climate system.
5. regulate | _________
   • To control or maintain the rate or speed of something.

B. Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think squids are beginning to appear in the Arctic Ocean?
2. How does the melting of glaciers affect native Arctic species like polar cod and polar bears?
3. What role do glaciers play in regulating Earth’s temperature?
4. What are the potential risks of geoengineering solutions like the Real Ice experiment?
5. Why is global cooperation important in solving the problem of Arctic glacier melting?

C. Critical Thinking Exercise

Fill in the chart with two additional points for each section.

Effects of Rising Arctic Temperatures

1. Native species lose their habitats.
2. Permafrost releases greenhouse gases.
3. ______
4. ______

Possible Solutions to Arctic Warming

1. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Develop sustainable energy sources.
3. ______
4. ______

Answer Key

A. Vocabulary
1. ecosystem
2. permafrost
3. stratification
4. geoengineering
5. regulate