In 2012, the world watched on as the Arctic ice cap shrank to its lowest extent ever recorded- howev

In 2012, the world watched on as the Arctic ice cap shrank to its lowest extent ever recorded- however, 2012 probably will not hold this record for long. Over the last year, the Arctic has been at record low ice volumes almost constantly since October - it didn’t set the all-time record in September, but it again has a shot this year.Every year, the Arctic is losing around 78,000 square kilometres (30,000 square miles) of sea ice. This is an area larger than the Republic of Ireland.NASA began collecting detailed satellite records on Arctic sea ice extent in the later 1970’s. Since then, researchers have watched the glaciers rapidly retreat and at ever increasing rates. Since 1980, the Arctic has lost 40% of its sea ice cover.If the current melting trends continue, the Arctic region will be completely ice free during the summer months. Realistically, this is now a matter of when rather than if.Only a decade ago scientists believed that the Arctic could expect ice free summers by the end of the century. Today however, scientists suggest that this could be an eventuality by mid-century at the latest.‘So what?’ you may ask. Well, the consequences of an ice free Arctic during summer months will be global.Less sea ice in the Arctic will mean that less sunlight is reflected off the high albedo (ability to reflect) ice. Instead, this heat will be absorbed by the oceans and hence the potential for a change to global weather patterns becomes imminent. Warmer water temperatures at the pole can alter wind patterns and intensity and can disrupt the position and effectiveness of the Jet Stream. The polar jet streams are narrow, fast-flowing rivers of wind high in the Earth’s atmosphere that push cold and warm air masses around, playing an important role in determining the weather.A further concern is the disruption of stores of methane under permafrost. As we lose the sea ice and heat up the ocean, more permafrost is encouraged to melt; releasing methane. This release of the potent greenhouse gas would almost certainly cause further spikes in temperature, creating a vicious circle of warming.The effects of climate change are accentuated at the poles. For this reason, the Arctic is considered the canary in the coalmine when it comes to a warming planet. At this point, it is wise to conclude that the canary is well and truly dead. The time to act is now.-JeanReferences:http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/arctic-sea-ice-update-unlikely-to-break-records-but-continuing-downward-trend/#.UhuU4xs3suchttp://www.livescience.com/39147-arctic-sea-ice-melting.htmlPhotos courtesy of NASA -- source link

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