Dramatic slowdown in melting of Arctic sea ice surprises scientists
3 days ago
- #Climate Change
- #Sea Ice
- #Arctic
- Arctic sea ice melting has slowed significantly since 2005, despite rising carbon emissions.
- Natural ocean current variations have temporarily balanced global warming effects on ice melting.
- Scientists warn the slowdown is temporary, with accelerated melting likely in the next 5-10 years.
- September Arctic sea ice area has halved since 1979, indicating long-term decline.
- Multi-decadal ocean current fluctuations are likely causing the current slowdown in ice melting.
- An ice-free Arctic is still expected later this century, with severe environmental impacts.
- The study used data from 1979 to present, showing slowdown across all months.
- Climate models suggest such slowdowns are rare but not unprecedented, occurring a few times per century.
- Sea ice volume continues to decrease even if area remains stable, thinning by 0.6cm/year since 2010.
- Global temperature rise has shown similar pauses before, but the long-term trend remains upward.
- Scientists emphasize climate change is real, human-driven, and requires urgent action despite temporary slowdowns.