Ice Covering the Arctic is Fast Disappearing, Say Scientists

The ice covering of the Arctic Ocean is fast melting because of the increasing temperature. This year it has recorded the lowest level twice for the first time, which thus signifies the alarming trend of global warming in the areas around the North Pole.

The rate in which the ice is melting in the region is a crucial, as it is also the indicator of the world’s climate that has been affected continuously by the bordering nations who are struggling for the resources and trade routes. 

According to the Colorado-based National Snow & Ice Data Center, the melting of ice on the Arctic Ocean this month was close to the record that has been set in July 2012. The heatwave this year in the Arctic Circle has led to record temperatures in the areas of Alaska, Greenland and Canada, which extended to the long-term trends with the disappearance of more ice. 

The growing trend of ice melting faster than the average rates also has been observed over the last three decades. Additional 20,000 square kilometers of the ice cover are disappearing every new day. The area of melting ice is equal to an area about the size of Wales.

The melting of ice starts with the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and by the end of September; the days grow shorter and cooler. According to the UK Met Office the chance of a record low by September, “is higher than it has been in the previous few years”.

This summer, the radar also captured various dramatic images showing the pace and extent of the ice melting on the Arctic Ocean and whose effect later have been observed around the world, which thus shows the harsh reality of global warming and the struggle governments of the countries face in trying to slow it down. 

According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, globally, June was the hottest year on record. The satellite service also said that the increasing number of ‘unprecedented’ wildfires are currently raging in the Arctic Circle, with over 100 burnings were observed in the last few weeks in the Sakha Republic of Siberia and Alaska.

The average surface temperature of Earth has been risen by 1°C since the 1880s, which is largely driven by man-made greenhouse gases. The world keeps on warming and the past five years collectively been the hottest time on record, according to NASA and the Arctic is feeling the effects more than anywhere on Earth.