Melting of Arctic sea ice has surprisingly slowed down
Temperatures have been rising globally due to increased burning of fossil fuels. (Photo: AFP)
'Summer sea ice conditions in the Arctic are at least 33% lower than they were at the beginning of the satellite record nearly 50 years ago,' said Dr. Mark England, who led the study while at the University of Exeter. 'Given this—and the indisputable fact of human-driven climate change—it may seem surprising to find a temporary slowdown in Arctic sea ice loss.'The researchers point to natural climate variability caused by the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean currents, which influence the flow of warm waters into the Arctic. 'It is, however, entirely consistent with climate model simulations and is likely due to natural climate variability superimposed on the human-driven long-term trend,' Dr. England added.The study reveals a widespread pause in Arctic sea ice loss over the past 15–20 years. But scientists warn that this is only temporary. 'This is only a reprieve,' said Dr. England. 'Before long, the rate of sea ice decline will catch up with the longer-term trend.'The findings do not mean the melting of Arctic sea ice has stopped. In fact, the area of sea ice at its annual minimum has halved since 1979. Researchers caution that melting could accelerate again—potentially at twice the long-term rate—within the next five to ten years.They stress that the climate crisis remains 'unequivocally real.' The Arctic is still expected to face ice-free summers later this century, threatening biodiversity and further accelerating global warming.The slowdown, scientists emphasise, is not a sign of recovery but a reflection of ocean current variability. The long-term decline continues, underscoring the urgent need for climate-resilient and sustainable measures.- Ends
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