The lowest figure since satellite observation in 1979.
“Devices to prepare for climate change are disappearing.”
As the Antarctic winter approaches its end, the area of Antarctic sea ice (sea ice) has reached an all-time low.
On the 25th (local time), the U.S. National Ice and Snow Data Center (NSIDC) said that as winter ends, the sea ice area around Antarctica has reached an all-time low, expressing concern that the rate of glacier decline will accelerate due to climate change. This figure is the smallest since satellite observations began in 1979.
“As ocean temperatures are rising globally, warm water continues to flow into Antarctica,” NSIDC said in a statement. “Antarctic sea ice may enter a long-term decline.”
This year, Antarctica reached its annual maximum sea ice extent on September 10, about 13 days earlier than average. At that time, the sea ice area was about 16.96 million ㎢, which was 1.03 million ㎢ less than the previous minimum record in 1986.
NSIDC added that following winter, Antarctica’s sea ice extent this summer was also the sixth smallest in the last 45 years.
Sea ice plays an important role in regulating the Earth’s temperature by reflecting the sun’s light energy into the atmosphere and lowering the temperature of surrounding sea water. As sea ice decreases, light and heat energy from the sun is absorbed into the sea, raising the temperature of the sea and thus increasing the scale of natural disasters, such as the power of typhoons.
Scientists say climate change is accelerating the decline of Antarctic sea ice. They warned that it would also affect animals such as penguins that live and lay eggs on sea ice.
Professor Gayle Whiteman of the University of Exeter in the UK said, “Polar ice is one of the key elements in preparing for climate change,” adding, “It is sounding the alarm about accelerating climate change.”
However, the numbers announced by NSIDC may change depending on weather changes. NSIDC plans to analyze the state of sea ice and investigate its causes and make an announcement in October.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.