The world’s oceans are rapidly warming, and the Arctic Ocean is on the verge of a catastrophic shift. A new study published in Nature Communications warns that the Arctic Ocean could have its first ice-free day as soon as 2027, with inevitable melting occurring within the next 20 years if greenhouse gas emissions continue unchecked.
The alarming rate of Arctic sea ice decline has accelerated by more than 12% each decade, with nearly all of its ice temporarily disappearing in the near future. This “ominous milestone for the planet” will likely happen regardless of human actions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Scientists attribute the rapid heating to greenhouse gases, which have transformed the Arctic from a refrigerator to a radiator, warming it four times faster than the rest of the world. The impact has been drastic, with the northernmost sea ice extent plummeting from 2.6 million square miles in 1979-1992 to 1.65 million square miles this year.
The study used 11 climate models and ran 366 simulations, predicting that an ice-free day could occur as soon as three to six years. However, most projections suggest the event will likely happen in the 2030s.
Researchers emphasize the importance of reducing carbon dioxide emissions to prevent such a drastic change. Any reductions would help preserve sea ice, alleviating the shock caused by its melting. The findings underscore the urgent need for global action to mitigate climate change and protect the Arctic Ocean’s delicate ecosystem.
Source: https://www.space.com/the-universe/climate-change/ominous-milestone-for-the-planet-arctic-oceans-1st-ice-free-day-could-be-just-3-years-away-alarming-study-finds