How does the cryosphere affect global climate?. (UPSC GS Paper 1 2017)
Cryosphere is an area where water available in solid form i.e., in ice form and climate frozen. This region has its own impact in shaping the global climate. Ice acting like a highly reflective blanket, the cryosphere protects Earth from getting too warm.
Snow and ice reflect more sunlight than open water or bare ground. The presence or absence of snow and ice affects heating and cooling over the Earth''s surface, influencing the entire planet''s energy balance.
Changes in snow and ice cover affect air temperatures, sea levels, ocean currents, and storm patterns all over the world.
The cold environment like Antarctica plays a major role in forming the polar stratospheric clouds, which in turn play an important role in enhancing the ozone depletion.
Cryospheric regions have large amounts of active carbon dioxide trapped below their surface due to frozen nature. This has prevented the carbon to escape and contribute towards global warming phenomenon. Because of global warming temperature is increasing that results in melting of this cryosphere lead to sea level rise.
This increase sea level, submergence of coastal areas will produce more methane gas. It is high potential greenhouse gases. Mixing of more fresh water with oceanic water may affect the evaporation process and influence the rain pattern.
See = https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=175426
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