Causes and impacts of global sea ice fall to record lows

Why in the NEWS?

• Global sea ice cover has reached historically low levels, signalling serious climate change.

Key Ponits:

• Sea ice is the ice that floats on the surface of the ocean in Polar Regions.
• This ice spreads during the winter and melts in the summer, but some sea ice remains year-round.
• Sea ice plays a key role in regulating Earth's temperature, as it prevents heat from the ocean from escaping back into space.
• The declining cover of global sea ice is a serious sign of climate change. 
• This decline can have serious impacts on the environment, such as increased temperature, changes in the speed of ocean currents and threats to the stability of ice shelves.

What will you read next in this topic?

• Declining sea ice cover
• Declining Arctic sea ice
• Antarctica sea ice decline
• Scientific reasons for decline
• Effects of sea ice decline on Earth
• US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC)
• Scope of NSIDC:
• Hudson Bay

Declining sea ice cover

• According to the US National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC), by February 13, 2025, sea ice cover had declined to 15.76 million sq km, even lower than last year's record low of 15.93 million sq km.
• Declining in both Arctic and Antarctic regions: Sea ice extent has declined significantly in both the Arctic and Antarctic, and this decline is a major signal of climate change.

Declining Arctic sea ice

• Year-on-year decline: Between 1981 and 2010, Arctic sea ice extent has shrunk at a rate of 12.2% per decade.
• Delay in Hudson Bay: Sea ice in Hudson Bay, which is located in north-eastern Canada, was delayed in freezing. This is due to unusually warm oceans, which cooled over a longer period of time, which reduced the extent of the ice.
• Storm effect: Storms caused sea ice to break up in the Barents Sea near the northern coasts of Norway and Russia and the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia, worsening the situation.

Antarctica sea ice decline

• Slight increase until 2015: By 2015, a slight increase in sea ice was observed in Antarctica, but by 2017, sea ice decreased by two million square kilometres.
• 2023 record: In 2023, Antarctica's sea ice cover reached a historically low level. It was two million square kilometres less than normal, which is about 10 times the size of Britain.
• Effect of warm winds and oceans: The main reason for the decline of sea ice in Antarctica is warm winds and warming of the oceans. Due to these reasons, the ice shelf and the edge have melted.

Scientific reasons for decline

• Warm oceans and winds: The warming of the ocean has increased the melting of sea ice. Ice-breaking winds are affecting sea ice, especially in Antarctica.
• More heat absorption: The white surface of sea ice reflects sunlight into space, but as the ice decreases, more water absorbs the sun's heat, causing temperatures to rise.
• Slowing of ocean currents: Melting sea ice is causing fresh water to enter the oceans, reducing the ocean's salinity and density, and consequently slowing down ocean currents.

Effects of sea ice decline on Earth

• Effects on climate: Decreasing sea ice cover can seriously affect Earth's climate. It is causing temperatures to rise, especially in Polar Regions, as sea ice reflects the sun's heat into space.
• Effects on ocean currents: Melting sea ice is affecting the flow of water in the oceans, which can have serious implications for climate and marine food chains.
• Impact on stability of ice shelves: Slowing down of ocean currents can also impact the stability of ice shelves, increasing the risk of glaciers and icebergs breaking off.

US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC)

• It is a leading institution that provides data and research on snow and ice cover around the world.
• This center specifically collects and analyzes information on snow, ice sheets, icebergs, and sea ice.
• NSIDC aims to contribute to the study of climate change and environmental changes, especially in the context of changes in snow cover.

History and objectives of NSIDC:

• NSIDC was established in 1976 at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
• Its main objective is to collect, analyse and make data related to snow and ice available to the scientific community. 
• This center conducts research on snow conditions, snow cover extent, ice changes in the Himalayas and Polar Regions, etc.

Scope of NSIDC:

Data Collection:

• It collects data about sea ice, glaciers, ice sheets, and icebergs, which are important for the study of climate and environmental changes.
• The center receives data from various satellites, such as NASA satellites, that observe the state of ice.

Analysis and Reporting:

• NSIDC conducts detailed analysis and releases scientific reports on changes in the ice cover.
• It studies sea ice changes, especially in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
• It publishes data on the minimum and maximum extent of sea ice every year.
• It also conducts research on the melting of glaciers and their environmental impacts.
• These studies help the scientific community understand the effects of climate change.

Key Data and Reports of NSIDC:

• Sea Ice Report: Data on the expansion and contraction of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice is released every year by NSIDC.
• Glaciers and ice sheet reports: Reports on the condition of glaciers and ice sheets and their melting, which impact global climate.
• Satellite data: Ice conditions are continuously monitored based on data from satellites.

Contributions of NSIDC:

• Scientific research: NSIDC is an important source for climate scientists and environmental researchers who conduct research on sea ice, glaciers, and ice sheets.
• Public awareness: It makes data publicly available, allowing people to learn more about climate change and environmental impacts.
• Climate policy and conservation: NSIDC's data helps policymakers make decisions for climate policy and the conservation of ice covers.

Hudson Bay

• It is a large bay located in the northern part of Canada.
• This bay is one of the largest inland water bodies in North America.
• Hudson Bay was named after British explorer Henry Hudson, who discovered the region in 1610.
• This bay is surrounded by the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba, and meets the Arctic Ocean to its north.

Some important facts about Hudson Bay:

• Location: Hudson Bay is located in the northern and eastern part of Canada and several major river systems flow around it, including the Hudson River, Churchill River, and Winnipeg River.
• Size and shape: The bay covers an area of ​​1.23 million square kilometres, making it the largest bay in North America. Its average depth is less than 100 meters.
• Climate: The climate of Hudson Bay is very harsh and cold, especially in the winter season, when it freezes completely. The region shows characteristics of the Arctic climate, with winters being long and cold.
• Marine life: Hudson Bay is an important place for marine life, especially for walruses, seals and other marine life. The region is home to species of birds, fish and marine mammals.
• Ecosystem: The ecosystem of the Hudson Bay region is extremely sensitive, especially due to the effects of climate change. The region is facing environmental challenges due to melting sea ice and development in coastal areas.
• Economic and human activity: Some small towns and communities are located on the shores of Hudson Bay, such as Churchill (Manitoba), which is famous for wildlife tourism, especially polar bear sightings. The region also already has economic activities such as mineral resources and fishing.

Historical and cultural significance:

• Exploration and trade: Hudson Bay was historically important to European traders and explorers, who established the Hudson Bay Company in the region, which was a major centre of the fur trade in Canada.
• In modern times: Hudson Bay's ecological importance has grown even more as sea ice and the effects of climate change have been studied intensively. It has become a key region for understanding the effects of global climate change.