Arctic sea ice decline has slowed, but why?
2 days ago
- #Arctic sea ice
- #geopolitics
- #climate change
- Arctic sea ice decline is central to climate change discussions and polar geopolitics, affecting trade routes, military conflict, and resource extraction.
- The primary food web, including phytoplankton, seals, walrus, and polar bears, depends on sea ice for survival.
- Arctic sea ice extent in July is declining at 6.9% per decade, but the decline has slowed since 2012, with no significant decline since 2005.
- Climate change skeptics use the slowdown in sea ice decline as proof against human-caused climate change impacts.
- Despite the slowdown in sea ice decline, Arctic warming continues, indicating complex system interactions.
- The age of sea ice (young vs. old) is crucial, with old, thick ice declining and being replaced by young, thin, brittle ice.
- Natural climate variability dominates Arctic sea ice behavior, explaining the recent slowdown in decline.
- New, seasonal sea ice is more sensitive to natural climate variability, while old ice was more stable.
- The study suggests the current slowdown in sea ice decline is unremarkable and may last another 5-10 years before decline resumes.
- The Arctic is undergoing a regime shift, moving toward seasonal ice rather than year-round ice.
- Nuance in geoscience communication is essential to counter disinformation and misunderstandings about climate change.