Arctic sea ice melting, sets record low
New data shows Arctic sea ice has fallen to the lowest point ever recorded and it's likely to continue melting through mid-September. As the Arctic warms, so does the rest of the globe, warn activists.
A polar bear is seen in the water during an aerial survey in this file photo. Arctic sea ice shrank to its second-lowest level ever, U.S. scientists said on Wednesday, with particular melting in the Chukchi Sea, where polar bears were recently seen swimming.
REUTERS/Geoff York/World Wildlife Fund/Handout
WASHINGTON
The world's Arctic ice听cap has shrunk to a new low, surpassing a record set only five years ago, and is expected to keep retreating for a few more weeks, according to U.S. data released on Monday.
The Arctic sea ice听fell to 1.58 million square miles, or 4.10 million square kilometers, down 27,000 square miles from 2007, the lowest since satellites began measuring the ice听in 1979, according to the听U.S. National Snow and Ice听Data Center.
"It's a little surprising to see the 2012 Arctic sea ice听extent in August dip below the record low 2007 sea ice听extent in September," said听Walt Meier, a scientist with the data center.
"It's likely we are going to surpass the record decline by a fair amount this year by the time all is said and done."
The ice听is expected to dwindle until mid- to late-September when the summer melting usually ends, according to the center.
Shrinking of the Arctic听ices alarms scientists and environmentalists because the Arctic听acts as the world's air conditioner, helping to moderate the globe's climate.
As parts of the Arctic听melted, this year has been marked by record heat in much of the Northern Hemisphere, especially across the continental听United States听which has been ravaged by drought.
Most scientists blame global warming for the retreat of the Arctic ice听and there is concern that the growing amounts of open water means the Arctic听will not be as effective moderating the planet's climate.
"These preliminary figures provide irrefutable evidence that greenhouse gas emissions leading to global warming are damaging one of the planet's critical environments, one that helps maintain the stability of the global climate for every citizen of the world," said听Kumi Naidoo, executive director of听Greenpeace.