Source: Photo.com
On December 27, according to Science Daily, new DNA evidence from a small octopus living in the Southern Ocean suggests that the West Antarctic ice sheet is closer to collapse than previously thought, according to research published in the latest issue of the journal Science.
It is known that the waters around Antarctica are home to several different species of Tuquit octopus. These octopuses crawl along the ocean floor and usually do not travel far from home. A small number of individuals or their eggs may occasionally drift with ocean currents to neighbouring groups, but populations in the Ross and Weddell Seas are separated by the impassable West Antarctic ice sheet.
However, DNA analysis of Tuquit octopuses at different sites in Antarctica has shown that the two populations mixed and exchanged DNA about 120,000 years ago. It was the last interglacial period in Earth's history, when temperatures were similar to today's.
According to the researchers, the pattern observed in the octopus's gene pool can only emerge if the West Antarctic ice sheet does not lie in the middle, and the continent-wide relatively open shipping lanes allow octopuses to travel freely between the Ross and Weddell Seas. This finding suggests that the West Antarctic ice sheet collapsed during the last interglacial period, allowing two geographically separated octopus populations to mix.
This study provides empirical evidence that the West Antarctic ice sheet collapses when the global average temperature is similar to today, suggesting that the tipping point for future West Antarctic ice sheet collapse is approaching.
A number of facts indicate that global warming is intensifying
According to the Argentine Meteorological Service (SMN), the Argentine research base in Esperanza, located in the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula, monitored a record temperature of 18.3 degrees Celsius on February 6, 2020.
In addition to the significant increase in carbon dioxide emissions, ocean warming, shrinking polar ice caps, glacier retreat, snow cover, sea level rise, ocean acidification, and the occurrence of extreme weather are all valid evidence of global warming.
China's three-step development strategy of "carbon neutrality".
Global warming threatens the human environment, and if humans cannot limit human-caused warming to 1.5°C set by the Paris Agreement, the sea level will rise by 3.3-5 meters in the long run, according to Science Daily.
Achieving the medium- and long-term goals of carbon peak and carbon neutrality is not only the responsibility of the mainland to actively respond to climate change and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, but also an inevitable requirement for the mainland to implement the new development concept and promote high-quality development.
Judging from the current development of carbon emissions in the mainland, the mainland has basically determined a three-step strategy for "carbon neutrality", first of all, to complete the carbon peak in 2030; second, to rapidly reduce carbon emissions by 2045; Finally, we will achieve deep decarbonization and carbon neutrality by 2060.
In response to climate change, China has actively and steadily promoted carbon peak and carbon neutrality. Du Huanzheng, director of the Institute of Ecological Civilization and Circular Economy at Tongji University, believes that in the face of unfavorable situations such as downward fluctuations in the world economy and insufficient domestic demand, the "dual carbon" will create new demand in China, contain new business opportunities, and become a new driving force for economic growth.
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