Latest news with #JenniferFrancis
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Arctic sea ice hits record low for its usual peak growth period
Arctic sea ice had its weakest winter buildup since record-keeping began 47 years ago, a symptom of climate change that will have repercussions globally, scientists said Thursday. The Arctic reaches its maximum sea ice in March each year and then starts a six-month melt season. The National Snow and Ice Data Center said the peak measurement taken Saturday was 5.53 million square miles (14.33 million square kilometers) — about 30,000 square miles (80,000 square kilometers) smaller than the lowest previous peak in 2017. That's a difference about the size of California. Scientists said warming conditions in the Arctic — the region is warming four times faster than the rest of the world — affect weather elsewhere. Pressure and temperature differences between north and south shrink. That weakens the jet stream, that moves weather systems along, making it dip further south with cold outbreaks and storms that often get stuck and rain or snow more, according to the snow and ice center and scientists such as Jennifer Francis of the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Cape Cod. 'The warming winter atmosphere above the Arctic Circle does impact large-scale weather patterns that do influence for those of us outside the Arctic,' said Julienne Stroeve, an ice scientist at the University of Manitoba. Of the smaller sea ice, Stroeve also noted that it's not only that there's less of it. The remaining ice is thin enough for more of it to melt quickly this summer, Stroeve said. She cautioned that a record low area in the winter doesn't guarantee a record small area in the summer. Melting Arctic sea ice — mostly in the summer — is making the polar bear population smaller, weaker and hungrier because they rely on the sea ice to hunt from, scientists said. Arctic sea ice's biggest year since record-keeping began was 1979, at 6.42 million square miles (16.64 million square kilometers). That means since satellites began tracking it, Arctic sea ice's winter peak has shrunk by about the size of Pakistan. 'This record low is yet another indicator of how Arctic sea ice has fundamentally changed from earlier decades,' said snow and ice data center scientist Walt Meier. He said sea ice extent is shrinking all four seasons. The five lowest amounts for winter peak Arctic sea ice have been since 2015. Earlier this month, Antarctica came close to breaking a record for record low sea ice — this is the time of year the region hits its minimum — and ended up with the second lowest sea level on record. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
The Independent
27-03-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Arctic sea ice hits record low for its usual peak growth period
Arctic sea ice had its weakest winter buildup since record-keeping began 47 years ago, a symptom of climate change that will have repercussions globally, scientists said Thursday. The Arctic reaches its maximum sea ice in March each year and then starts a six-month melt season. The National Snow and Ice Data Center said the peak measurement taken Saturday was 5.53 million square miles (14.33 million square kilometers) — about 30,000 square miles (80,000 square kilometers) smaller than the lowest previous peak in 2017. That's a difference about the size of California. Scientists said warming conditions in the Arctic — the region is warming four times faster than the rest of the world — affect weather elsewhere. Pressure and temperature differences between north and south shrink. That weakens the jet stream, that moves weather systems along, making it dip further south with cold outbreaks and storms that often get stuck and rain or snow more, according to the snow and ice center and scientists such as Jennifer Francis of the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Cape Cod. 'The warming winter atmosphere above the Arctic Circle does impact large-scale weather patterns that do influence for those of us outside the Arctic,' said Julienne Stroeve, an ice scientist at the University of Manitoba. Of the smaller sea ice, Stroeve also noted that it's not only that there's less of it. The remaining ice is thin enough for more of it to melt quickly this summer, Stroeve said. She cautioned that a record low area in the winter doesn't guarantee a record small area in the summer. Melting Arctic sea ice — mostly in the summer — is making the polar bear population smaller, weaker and hungrier because they rely on the sea ice to hunt from, scientists said. Arctic sea ice's biggest year since record-keeping began was 1979, at 6.42 million square miles (16.64 million square kilometers). That means since satellites began tracking it, Arctic sea ice's winter peak has shrunk by about the size of Pakistan. 'This record low is yet another indicator of how Arctic sea ice has fundamentally changed from earlier decades,' said snow and ice data center scientist Walt Meier. He said sea ice extent is shrinking all four seasons. The five lowest amounts for winter peak Arctic sea ice have been since 2015. Earlier this month, Antarctica came close to breaking a record for record low sea ice — this is the time of year the region hits its minimum — and ended up with the second lowest sea level on record. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Associated Press
27-03-2025
- Science
- Associated Press
Arctic sea ice hits record low for its usual peak growth period
Arctic sea ice had its weakest winter buildup since record-keeping began 47 years ago, a symptom of climate change that will have repercussions globally, scientists said Thursday. The Arctic reaches its maximum sea ice in March each year and then starts a six-month melt season. The National Snow and Ice Data Center said the peak measurement taken Saturday was 5.53 million square miles (14.33 million square kilometers) — about 30,000 square miles (80,000 square kilometers) smaller than the lowest previous peak in 2017. That's a difference about the size of California. Scientists said warming conditions in the Arctic — the region is warming four times faster than the rest of the world — affect weather elsewhere. Pressure and temperature differences between north and south shrink. That weakens the jet stream, that moves weather systems along, making it dip further south with cold outbreaks and storms that often get stuck and rain or snow more, according to the snow and ice center and scientists such as Jennifer Francis of the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Cape Cod. 'The warming winter atmosphere above the Arctic Circle does impact large-scale weather patterns that do influence for those of us outside the Arctic,' said Julienne Stroeve, an ice scientist at the University of Manitoba. Of the smaller sea ice, Stroeve also noted that it's not only that there's less of it. The remaining ice is thin enough for more of it to melt quickly this summer, Stroeve said. She cautioned that a record low area in the winter doesn't guarantee a record small area in the summer. Melting Arctic sea ice — mostly in the summer — is making the polar bear population smaller, weaker and hungrier because they rely on the sea ice to hunt from, scientists said. Arctic sea ice's biggest year since record-keeping began was 1979, at 6.42 million square miles (16.64 million square kilometers). That means since satellites began tracking it, Arctic sea ice's winter peak has shrunk by about the size of Pakistan. 'This record low is yet another indicator of how Arctic sea ice has fundamentally changed from earlier decades,' said snow and ice data center scientist Walt Meier. He said sea ice extent is shrinking all four seasons. The five lowest amounts for winter peak Arctic sea ice have been since 2015. Earlier this month, Antarctica came close to breaking a record for record low sea ice — this is the time of year the region hits its minimum — and ended up with the second lowest sea level on record. ___
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Scientists issue dire warning after analyzing data from 2024: '[It] will … become more frequent, intense, and deadly'
Last year brought serious heat to regions around the world — and not just in the summer months. A recent study from World Weather Attribution and Climate Central found that millions of people faced an average of 41 extra days of dangerously hot weather. What caused such an increase? According to the study's findings, human-caused climate change pushed temperatures to new extremes, with 2024 likely being the hottest year on record. In 2024, extreme heat was felt around the globe, with some areas experiencing over 150 days of dangerously high temperatures. Places including Northern California, Southeast Asia, and West Africa had scorching temperatures, leading to health issues, school closures, and disruptions to daily life. The El Niño weather pattern, which naturally warms the Pacific Ocean and changes weather around the world, was a factor. However, the researchers concluded that the rising global temperature had the biggest impact on the severity of these events. "We found that climate change made these events more likely and more intense," said Friederike Otto, a scientist involved in the study. Experts also pointed out that heat-related deaths are often underreported, and heat waves remain the deadliest extreme weather event linked to the changing climate. Last year's extreme weather led to more than 3,700 deaths and displaced millions of people. Scientists have warned that we're getting close to the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming limit set by the Paris Agreement; if we cross that threshold, the impacts will only worsen: more intense heat waves, stronger storms, and further rising sea levels. The regions hardest hit are often the poorest, where resources to adapt and recover are limited. Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center, put it simply, saying, "Extreme weather will continue to become more frequent, intense, and deadly until we reduce heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere." Otto said "people don't have to die in heat waves" but emphasized that "heat waves are by far the deadliest extreme event, and they are the extreme events where climate change is a real game changer." Do you feel like the air quality is safe where you live? Always Usually Not in the summer Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Experts stressed that with the right measures, such as preparing for extreme weather and transitioning to renewable energy, we can reduce the damage caused by the changing climate. Julie Arrighi of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre suggested that nations can lessen the impacts by improving infrastructure and supporting vulnerable communities. On a personal level, small steps — such as reducing energy consumption and supporting environmentally-friendly policies — can also help. The longer we wait, the more severe the impacts will become. But with urgent and sustained action, we can reduce the risks and work toward a more resilient future. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
