Arctic sea ice fell to its lowest ever May extent, prompting fears that this year could beat 2012 for the record of worst ever summer sea ice melt. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Monthly May Arctic sea ice extent for 1979 to 2016 shows a decline of 2.6% per decade. “This [slow formation of winter ice] leads to thinner ice that can break up more easily,” said Cottier. Melting sea ice does not raise sea levels, because the ice is floating, but has a strong effect on the earth’s albedo – the reflectivity of the poles and other snow and ice covered areas. In addition, melting sea ice in the Arctic is often a good indicator that land ice and snow – such as that which covers Greenland – is also melting, and land-based ice does contribute to sea level rises.

Source: The Guardian June 08, 2016 14:42 UTC