Amid a rapidly warming Arctic where summer sea ice has shrunk by 40% over four decades, UK-funded scientists are embarking on an ambitious mission to explore whether it's possible to refreeze the diminishing ice. The £3.5 million 'Real Ice' project is conducting experiments in northern Canada, testing methods to thicken the ice and assess their feasibility.
The stark reality of the Arctic's decline creates a damaging feedback loop: dark ocean water absorbs more solar heat than reflective ice, accelerating warming and further melting. Researchers involved in the Real Ice project have been drilling small holes in the sea ice near Cambridge Bay and pumping ocean water onto the surface, resulting in rapid freezing that increases ice thickness by around 50cm. This increased reflectivity could potentially slow local warming.
While initial trials have shown promise in a controlled area, the vast scale of Arctic ice loss presents a monumental challenge: an additional 80,000 square kilometres of summer sea ice are lost annually. The project's next phase involves developing and testing underwater drones, prototyped off Finland, which could use heated probes to create holes in the ice, potentially making the process more scalable. Estimates suggest halting the annual shrinking of Arctic sea ice could cost around £8 billion in the long term.
The concept of geoengineering, particularly refreezing the Arctic, remains highly contentious within the scientific community. Critics argue that such large-scale interventions are unfeasible, pose environmental risks, and divert focus from drastically cutting carbon emissions. Proponents stress that exploring all potential options, including emergency brakes, is necessary given the accelerating pace of climate damage.
The Real Ice project presents itself as a crucial research initiative designed to answer fundamental questions about viability and long-term consequences of such interventions. The insights gained will inform future decisions on geoengineering strategies, weighing immense costs and risks against escalating impacts on global ecosystems and human livelihoods.