Arctic may not have any sea ice in the summers by 2030s, reveals study

Published Tuesday, an international study has suggested that the Arctic Ocean could be ice-free in the summers by the 2030s irrespective of world’s efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses which are leading to global warming. The study, led by Seung-Ki Min of the Pohang University of Science and Technology in South Korea, also states that the Arctic without any ice in September is likely already “baked” into the climate system of Earth.

Min told USA Today that the researchers found “ice-free conditions” are set to occur even in a scenario where emissions are low. It is to mention that the researchers used computer models to find out what will happen to Arctic’s ice , especially as the planet’s temperature continues to rise in the next decades.

The study is published in peer-reviewed British journal Nature Communications and it was conducted by adjusting the models and scaling them based on the data collected across the year. The researchers have also noted that the greenhouse gas emissions are leaving “profound impacts” on the Arctic which were “significantly” downplayed in the studies conducted in the past.


For the unversed, Sea ice is basically the frozen water which melts every summer before refreezing in winters. For several years now, sea ice in the Arctic has been declining especially in September with lowest coverage in the entire year. According to the study, Arctic Sea ice has seen an increased decline since 2000.

It is to note that Sea ice impacts the communities and wildlife in the Arctic including polar bears, walruses and others and it ultimately helps in regulating the temperature of Earth. The greenhouse gas emissions by humans has severely contributed to the declining sea-ice in the Arctic with activities such as burning of fossil fuels. There are other natural factors also such as solar and volcanic activity, however, they were comparatively lower than human impact.

FAQs:

Where is the Arctic Ocean?
North Pole

What are greenhouse gas emissions?
Gasses such as Carbon Dioxide, which trap the heat in the atmosphere are identified as greenhouse gas emissions.