Tag: Natural Science

Do Arctic Sea Ice Extent and Permafrost Temperature Co-Vary?

Presenter(s): Natalie Weaver − Math

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 192

Research Area: Natural Science

In recent years, many components of the cryosphere have experienced rapid decline as global temperatures continue to increase. My project will focus on two of these components: Arctic sea ice and permafrost in the Norwegian archipelago Svalbard. Using data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center and the NORPERM Permafrost Database, I will explore whether there is any correlation between Arctic sea ice extent and permafrost temperature at several locations in Svalbard. Finding a correlation, if it exists, is important because while sea ice can be measured easily by satellite, gathering data on permafrost is much more challenging. When permafrost thaws, it releases large amounts of methane into the atmosphere, which reinforces a feedback loop of global warming, endangering even more permafrost. If we can use sea ice cover as a proxy for permafrost health, we can become more aware of this global threat and take steps to prepare for its consequences.

The Effects of Climate Change and Sea Ice Within Inuit Populations in the Arctic Region

Presenter(s): Corinne Togiai − Biology

Faculty Mentor(s): Mark Carey

Poster 190

Research Area: Humanities and Natural Sciences

Sea ice is used as a bright surface to reflect sunlight back into space to help maintain cool temperatures in polar regions and to moderate climate change. However, as sea ice melts, more sunlight penetrates the ocean surface causing the ocean to heat up and Arctic temperatures to rise. Therefore, the decline of sea ice is greatly affecting the Inuit Arctic population’s livelihood such as hunting and transportation. The purpose of this study is to bring attention to the importance of sea ice within Inuit Arctic culture that is often neglected. Hence, preservation of Inuit Arctic culture and preventing climate through the lens of scientific raw data, indigenous Arctic knowledge via story-telling and qualitative observations, and political perspectives on how to address the effects of climate change, will help this indigenous population learn to adapt, and/or preserve their land and culture.Moreover, a collection of sources about sea ice in the Arctic region, Inuit Arctic culture, and issues/questions at a national and international level of what is currently in place to address the melting sea ice and climate change will be used to draw conclusions. Research has found an appearance in new species, and an increase in sea traffic resulting in Arctic Inuit people to feel loss of control of their homeland as sea ice used to be their separation from the outside world. This research is significant because with global climate change contributing to a shift in sea levels and temperature, indigenous Arctic people are in danger.

Buying Time: A Survey of Geoengineering Techniques to Slow Mass Loss on the Antarctic Pine Island Glacier

Presenter(s): Conrad Sproul − Political Science, Economics

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 186

Research Area: Natural Science

Geoengineering, or artificially modifying climate conditions, is the cutting edge of environmental science research. A range of techniques have been suggested, including the sequestration of carbon from the atmosphere, increasing Earth’s average albedo through solar radiation management (SRM) technologies, and the construction of large structures to halt or alter
the path of flowing glaciers. However, these technologies are almost always examined in terms of their effects on the global climate, with only limited investigation of how smaller scale geoengineering could be used in specific, important areas. Here we examine several different potential geoengineering methods and their potential efficacy at abating mass loss from the Pine Island Glacier (PIG) in Western Antarctica. We show that due to the basal conditions of PIG, atmospheric and surface level SRM are unlikely to be effective at preventing further ablation and destabilization of the glacier. More promising would be some combination of basal freezing/pumping to reduce flow rate, artificial structures to increase stability, and a medium scale pumping operation to redirect remaining meltwater to inland Antarctica. As the single biggest contributor to Antarctic sea level rise, and an area at high risk for destabilization in the coming decades, it is crucial that research be done now on the Pine Island Glacier to determine what can be done to slow its ongoing mass loss. These results provide specific direction for more elaborate modelling and investigation to be done on these projects in the future.

Role of the Media in Micronesia’s Climate Change Activism

Presenter(s): Lauralei Singsank − Political Science, General Music

Faculty Mentor(s): Mark Carey

Poster 185

Research Area: Natural Science

Climate refugees are those who have been displaced from their homes for reasons relating to climate (floods, rising sea levels, etc.). This presentation focuses on climate refugees in Micronesia and their media presence. Micronesians have utilized the political atmospheres of other countries to further their causes. An important example is Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, a Marshallese poet activist who presented a spoken poem to the 2014 United Nations Climate Summit. By utilizing her platform to increase empathy rather than using statistics or facts, Jetnil-Kijiner furthered her cause of raising awareness of climate change’s effects in Micronesia. The sources used in this presentation include scientific studies on climate change, scholarly articles addressing its effects in Micronesia, and media sources from Micronesian advocates. Videos by Jetnil-Kijiner and other activists will serve as primary sources. By examining how Micronesian citizens and those of Micronesian descent present their causes in the media, this presentation emphasizes the importance of increasing empathy to the effects of climate change alongside scientific facts. Audiences react more strongly to emotional pleas than scientific when presented by those suffering the effects of climate change. By appealing to audience’s pathos rather than logos, Micronesian climate activists raise awareness about their challenges with climate change.

The Great Deluge: Are Heavier Rains and Greater Temperatures Responsible for The Sierra Nevada Snowpack Retreat?

Presenter(s): Carson Schmittle − English

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 182

Research Area: Natural Science

Mountain snowpack acts as an important natural reservoir for much of California. In the Sierra Nevada mountain range, it builds primarily through snow, accumulated in winter storms. We measure the amount of water stored in a snowpack as the snow water equivalent (SWE), which is dependent on both the density of the snow and the thickness of snow. In recent years, the mean peak measurement of SWE in the Sierra Nevada has declined dramatically. Here, I demonstrate that decreased precipitation, in conjunction with greater surface temperatures, is the primary factor in the downtrend of snowpack in this mountain range. The accumulation of soot and dust also contributes to snowpack depletion (by reducing average albedo and increasing melt rates), but I predict that lesser precipitation correlates most strongly to the observed retreat of snowpack. This is evidenced by comparing available climate data with trends in peak annual SWE. Precipitation in a cold climate collects as snow, while precipitation in a warmer climate falls as rain and actually does more to melt snow. Therefore, the heavier and more infrequent precipitation predicted for the coming century will translate to less snow accumulated in the winter and more snow melted in the spring and summer. Snowpack provides a tremendous amount of water to California for agricultural, industrial, and recreational purposes, so future infrastructure development must prepare for snowpack depletion.

Causes and Hazards of Thaw Settlement in Central and Coastal Alaska

Presenter(s): Ellen Scharff − English

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 181

Research Area: Natural Science

Much of the ground in polar areas such as Alaska consists of permafrost, a subsurface layer of soil that remains frozen throughout most of the year. Alaskan tundra vegetation, wildlife, and infrastructure rely on the preservation of permafrost, which is made of frozen soil, rock, and water. Rising global temperatures have resulted in thaw settlement: the compression of ground due to thawing. Typically, thaw settlement is a seasonal occurrence, but several studies have observed an abrupt uptick in the extent of permafrost thaw and subsequent ground compression. This research compiles and synthesises the results of various studies of permafrost degradation and thaw settlement in central and coastal Alaska. Data from these studies shows a significant increase in permafrost active layer depth and clear compression of thawed soil. The implications of settlement on carbon dioxide release, vegetation, and infrastructure are outlined by the studies, as well as a consensus on climatic and ecological changes as the cause. By cultivating an awareness of the sources and hazards of permafrost settlement, measures can be enacted on vulnerable areas in order to mitigate degradation.

How Two Ice Sheets Are Causing Accelerated Distress on Sea Level Rise

Presenter(s): Morgan Mooney-Mccarthy − Political Science, Spanish, International Studies

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 171

Research Area: Natural Science

Two of the largest ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are experiencing expedited mass loss which is contributing to sea level rise. The estimated sea level rise per year is 0.54 mm/year and the respective ice sheets contribute 19% of the annual sea level rise. There has been a steady increase of glacial mass loss since the late 19th century, however, within the last two decades glacial mass loss has increased rapidly. The recent years of accelerated glacial mass loss has dramatically increased the rate of sea level rise. If this trend continues it will rapidly influence and impact coastlines. The research methods currently being used involve satellites and remote sensors. If the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets were to completely melt the sea level would increase up to seven meters. While 55% of the annual sea level rise can be attributed to all types of glacial melt, Greenland and the Antarctic ice sheets make up 19% of that rise, which is nearly 2⁄3 of the sea level rise from all glacial ice. The results show that these two ice sheets add a disproportionate amount of ice mass loss compared to other factors affecting sea level rise. I anticipate research to accelerate as mass loss does in order to provide strong scientific arguments to present to the public and political leaders.

The Changing Climate and its Effect on Winter Tourism Economies in the United States

Presenter(s): Hannah Gerton − Architecture

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 152

Research Area: Natural Science

Increasing global temperatures and decreasing precipitation levels in the United States have caused a rapid decline in the snowpack over the last few decades. Many regions across the country contain economies that depend largely on a reliable climate. With such drastic changes in the cryosphere and the global temperature, challenges arise surrounding winter tourism. Winter sports are known for being a fun pass-time, but the stability created by their profit and job opportunities are often overlooked. Mountainous locations and areas of high elevation depend on winter tourism; it is critical that such areas begin to prepare for climatic changes by adapting to the new environment. As temperature increases, the snowpack declines causing shorter ski seasons in addition to unsuitable conditions at many of the ski resorts. These poor conditions may cause a large drop in ticket sales and tourism earnings. This often forgotten correlation between climate and winter tourism will only worsen as time goes on. Very little research has been done in this field, so it is important to evaluate the areas of risk and determine what preventative steps can be taken in order to avoid further damage to the economies of winter tourism. It is difficult to stop temperature changes, or decreases in the snowpack, however, it is possible to detect trends and predict patterns that allow for proper planning and adaptations. Implementing such adaptations could save countless regions of the U.S. from the loss of winter tourism and its benefits.

Climate and Water Privatization in the Andes: Indigenous Livelihood and Political Agency vs. the World Bank’s Professed Faith in the Free Market

Presenter(s): Miles Evans − Music, Humanities

Faculty Mentor(s): Mark Carey

Poster 150

Research Area: Natural Science, Social Science, Political Science

Water and climate change are inextricably linked on numerous levels: ecological, experiential, and political, to name a few. In the Peruvian Andes, climate change has had a profound impact on hydrology, which has in turn threatened the water supply of indigenous agricultural peoples. In the early 1990s, growing water scarcity provoked persistent criticism of the ability of Andean governments to provide water to their people, effectively paving the way for water privatization in the Andes, an effort spearheaded by the World Bank (WB). Although privatization has since been dismantled in countries such as Bolivia and Ecuador, it has more often endured despite various public protests, such as those in Lima and Santiago. These protests decry both the failure of private corporations to provide quality, affordable water and the growing political sway of multinational corporations in the Andes. This paper will analyze WB documents on climate change, water scarcity, water privatization, and Peruvian hydrology alongside academic articles on these same subjects (as well as on indigenous perspectives and political agency) in order to assess and criticize the WB’s arguments for water privatization. The stated rationale and intent of the WB will be compared to its apparent impact on Andean water supplies and to various indigenous criticisms. In particular, this paper will explore the following criticisms of the WB’s efforts in water privatization: they undermines indigenous political agency, have not meaningfully improved water supply, and espouse a free-market fundamentalist approach that is conducive to climate change.

What Patterns in Ice Cores Can Reveal About the Earth’s Past, Present, and Future

Presenter(s): Leveretta Chen − Architecture

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 145

Research Area: Natural Science

Ice cores are core samples formed from snow buildup over a range of years. By identifying the age of each layer formed (the oldest on the bottom and newest on the top), we can identify characteristics such as gas contents and temperature variations, potentially allowing us one of the oldest atmospheric records available on the earth. In this study, we will identify and analyze long term patterns in ice cores, specifically for patterns that allude to climatic events such as ice ages, seismic, and volcanic activity. Through the various peaks and valleys in carbon dioxide and sulfur in the ice core samples, we can find a somewhat consistent pattern in the timeline of ice ages that occur, but less so in terms of seismic and volcanic activity. We then were able to estimate the time of the next ice age.