.jpg)
15 hours ago
1
Environment
Extremely low sea ice levels in the Arctic and Antarctica signal a "new normal" that may accelerate global warming and disrupt ocean currents, on top of the consequences for people and wildlife that rely on the ice
The maximum extent of Arctic sea ice this winter was the lowest on record Tony Skerl/Shutterstock
Human-caused climate change has ravaged sea ice at both ends of Earth in what may be a disturbing new normal. February this year saw global sea ice extent hit a record low as sluggish ice growth during the Arctic winter coincided with the fourth consecutive year of extremely low sea ice cover during the Antarctic summer.
“It’s like a missing piece of a continent,” says Ed Doddridge at the University of Tasmania in Australia.
Sign up to our weekly newsletter
Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.
English (US)