Real Ice Project Thickens Arctic Sea Ice to Combat Climate Change

A groundbreaking experiment in Cambridge Bay, Canada, is showing promising results in thickening Arctic sea ice to combat rapid melting due to climate change.

In the heart of the Arctic, a pioneering experiment is underway to combat the rapid melting of sea ice. Led by Andrea Ceccolini and his team at Real Ice, this geoengineering project, funded by the UK government, aims to thicken Arctic sea ice and potentially restore a significant part of the Arctic ecosystem.

The experiment involves pumping seawater onto the ice during winter to increase its thickness. This method has shown early signs of success, with the ice in Cambridge Bay, Canada, demonstrating enhanced resilience during the melt season.

The Science Behind the Experiment

Five months ago, the Real Ice team braved temperatures of -40C to drill holes and pump 50,000 tonnes of ocean water onto the sea ice. The water froze almost immediately, adding about 50cm to the existing 1.5-metre-deep ice.

This thickening has helped protect the ice at the start of the melt season, offering hope for a potential large-scale solution.

The treated area is now visible from space as a white island amidst the blue meltwater. The process involves using small pumps that require less power than a toaster, making it a feasible option for further exploration. The team has also discovered that the artificially thickened ice is more reflective, trapping more air bubbles and enhancing its ability to reflect sunlight.

Challenges and Discoveries

The team faces numerous challenges, including extreme cold, wildlife hazards, and the need for precise measurements. They measure temperature, salinity, and reflectivity of the ice, using drones to capture high-resolution images. The coldest day recorded was -63C with wind chill, making the work extremely demanding.

In addition to thickening the ice, the team has experimented with drilling holes to drain melt pools. This exposes the brighter ice underneath, increasing the reflection of the sun’s heat. Preliminary results show that this method could extend the ice’s lifespan by an extra week.

Community Involvement and Future Prospects

The project has received support from the local Inuit community in Cambridge Bay, who rely on the ice for transportation, fishing, and hunting. Kyle Weese, an Inuit guide, highlights the importance of the ice to their way of life and the changes they have observed due to climate change.

Looking ahead, the team envisions using autonomous underwater drones to scale the project. These drones could target key areas at the leading edge of ice loss, potentially halting the annual shrinking of Arctic sea ice. The cost estimate for such an endeavor is roughly $10bn over the longer term, a fraction of the windfall profits made by top oil companies in a short period.

The Real Ice project is part of a broader effort to understand and mitigate the effects of climate change. While geoengineering remains controversial, the team emphasizes the importance of research and community engagement in developing effective solutions.