"The annual winter maximum sea ice extent this year has tied for the record lowest amount in the nearly 50 years that satellites have been keeping watch. This record low maximum gives a head start to the spring and summer melt season."
"This year's winter low was 1.36 million square kilometers below the 1981 to 2010 average, representing a loss of ice about twice the size of Texas."
"The disappearance of Arctic ice, which is even more pronounced in the summer months, not only threatens fragile polar habitats and the species that live there but also exacerbates global warming."
The Arctic sea ice maximum for this year reached 14.29 million square kilometers, tying for the lowest recorded since satellite monitoring began. This year's extent is slightly below last year's record low and significantly below the 1981 to 2010 average. The decline in Arctic ice, particularly during summer, threatens polar ecosystems and accelerates global warming. The loss of ice is attributed to human-induced climate change, highlighting the urgent need for action to address rising global temperatures.
Read at www.scientificamerican.com
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