Effect of climate change on day’s length

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Context:

• Scientists have discovered that melting polar ice caps, driven by climate change, are causing Earth’s rotation to slow down slightly.

Details:

• Climate change, predominantly caused by human activities, has a wide array of effects on our planet.
• Among these is an intriguing yet less-discussed consequence: the alteration of the Earth's rotation and, consequently, the length of a day.

The Physics Behind the Phenomenon

• The primary mechanism through which climate change affects the Earth's rotation is the melting of polar ice caps. When ice at the poles melts, the water flows towards the equator.
• This redistribution of mass causes the Earth to bulge slightly at the equator, slowing its rotation.
• As a result, the time it takes for the Earth to complete one full rotation increases, leading to longer days.
• This can be understood through the conservation of angular momentum.
• As the mass moves away from the axis of rotation (towards the equator), the rotational velocity decreases, similar to how a figure skater slows down when extending their arms.

Empirical Evidence

• Research utilizing climate models and real-world data over a 200-year period (from 1900 to 2100) has quantified these changes.
• Over the last two decades, it has been observed that the rate of Earth's rotation has slowed by approximately 1.3 milliseconds per century.
• While this change might seem negligible, it accumulates over time and can have broader implications.

Broader Implications

• Timekeeping and Technology: Many modern technologies rely on extremely precise timekeeping.
  • • Even minor changes in the length of a day can affect systems dependent on exact synchronization, such as GPS satellites and global communication networks.
• Environmental Impact: The movement of water masses also contributes to rising sea levels, which have more immediate and devastating consequences for low-lying coastal areas.
  • • Flooding, erosion, and habitat destruction are some of the severe outcomes faced by these regions.
• Climate Feedback Loops: Changes in rotational velocity may also contribute to other climate feedback mechanisms, further exacerbating climate change.
  • • The redistribution of mass can influence atmospheric dynamics, ocean currents, and weather patterns.

Conclusion

• The effect of climate change on the length of a day illustrates the interconnectedness of Earth's systems.
• While the lengthening of days might not have a direct impact on our daily lives, the broader implications for technology and the environment are significant.
• This phenomenon highlights the urgent need to address climate change comprehensively.

KNOW IN DETAIL ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS- https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/copernicus-climate-centre-service#:~:text=June%202024%20is%20considered%20as,cyclic%20states%20of%20El%20Nino.

GLOBAL WARMING- https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/global-warming-in-indian-contex

MELTING OF ICE- https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/antarcticas-sea-ice

Reference

https://epaper.thehindu.com/ccidist-ws/th/th_international/issues/95103/OPS/GSHD6QF3K.1.png?cropFromPage=true

https://www.policycircle.org/environment/climate-change-heat-long-days/#:~:text=Since%201900%2C%20climate%20change%20has,reach%202.2%20milliseconds%20by%202100.