The Futility of Shipping Arctic Ice to the Tropics

Ship ice from the Arctic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea in insulated ships: Would this help make the Caribbean heat more like New England’s cool, seasonal climate? Does it make sense, and is there any scientific basis to this idea? We will explore the complexities of ocean currents, climate change, and the impracticality of such a plan.

Climate Differences: Ocean and Terrestrial Weather Patterns

New England experiences a temperate climate with distinct seasonal changes, characterized by cold winters and warm summers. The temperature fluctuations bring a variety of weather throughout the year. In contrast, the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic Ocean experience a tropical climate, which is generally warm and wet or dry during certain times of the year, with little to no dramatic temperature changes.

Impact of Ice Shipping: A Short-Term Illusion

Transferring ice from the Arctic to the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean would have only a temporary cooling effect. Ocean currents, such as the Gulf Stream, play a crucial role in maintaining the warm temperatures in these regions. Additionally, the sheer volume of water in the Caribbean and the Atlantic would quickly dissipate the influence of the ice. Even if the ice could be effectively transported, where would it even be stored, considering the vastness of these waters?

The volume required to meaningfully alter the temperature of such vast bodies of water is astronomically high and impractical. For instance, the Gulf Stream transports about 2x1010 megawatt-hours of heat per year. Shipping even a fraction of that would have no long-term climate-changing effect.

Ocean Currents and Weather Patterns: The Gulf Stream and More

The Gulf Stream is a powerful current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico to the North Atlantic, bringing warm water northwards. If the gasoline of cold, Arctic ice were to be added to this already energetic and powerful stream, it would disrupt the flow. The interruption could have several negative consequences:

The Gulf Stream would slow down, potentially cooling northern Europe and heating the tropics. There would be an increase in water vapor, resulting in more precipitation in some regions and less in others. The United Kingdom and Ireland would face a harsher winters, resembling Sweden's climate. Increased water vapor over Greenland would cause more icebergs to calve, posing a greater risk to ships in the North Atlantic. The gradient between the poles and the tropics would increase, potentially speeding up the jet stream and altering weather patterns. The average snow line would move further south, resulting in shorter growing seasons and a shift in crop types in North America, primarily affecting the yield and quality of crops such as corn and wheat.

The changes described above could have profound impacts on agriculture, leading to a reduction in food calorie production per hectare. In the end, any attempt to cool the Caribbean by artificially shipping Arctic ice is not only impractical but could have far-reaching and undesirable consequences.

Conclusion: A Pragmatic Approach is Necessary

Illogical as it may seem, the idea of shipping ice from the Arctic to the Caribbean is not just impractical but also a dangerous misdirection from addressing real climate issues. Instead of seeking to cool regions through such an unfeasible method, we should focus on understanding and mitigating the real drivers of global warming, such as greenhouse gas emissions and oceanic heat transfer.