Very recent studies have shown a strong deceleration of the Arctic sea ice loss rate in recent decades (since 1990). Scientists warn that this slowdown is short-term and is the result of a natural climate cycle and does not indicate a stoppage to longer term human-induced warming. It is estimated that the melting will again pick up speed even surpassing the past rates.
A Long Baseline Decrease
The Arctic has served as a severe barometer to climate change and since the 80s of the last century, it has lost more than 10,000 cubic kilometres of sea ice. The major cause of this decline is human resulting in greenhouse gas emission. Reflective ice reflects heat into space thus its melt opens darker oceans, which takes more heat, further increasing global warming.
In temporarily lowered speed
The amount of loss in sea ice became steady at a rate of about 0.35 million square kilometres a decade between 2003 and 2023. This is in sharp contrast to the greatest rate of melting of around 1.3 million square kilometres per decade witnessed between 1993 and 2012. Scientists can agree that such a slowdown is not a recovery but verifies to natural fluctuation.
Natural Cycles: The Role
Such climatic variability as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and the Atlantic Multidecadal Variability involve changes in sea surface temperatures. Such patterns Ocean waters get cooled momentarily, which makes ice meltdowns less active for several years. This within-year variation may hide the long-term downward trend of anthropogenic loss.
Future Projections
The climate models that have correctly predicted this recent slowdown confirm that such halt will continue to happen repeatedly, even in the event of high emission scenarios. There is a 50–50 prospect of the present slowdown continuing another five years. Though when it does come to an end, it is predicted that the pace at which it melts will become very high with a further loss of 0.6 million square kilometres per decade.
Repercussions and the need to act
A faster melt will increase global warming, raise sealevels, weaken Arctic ecosystems and will change world weather. The same is echoed by the study, which advises that such temporary relief should not be taken to be complacent. Amidst records greenhouse gas emissions, we still need to urgently address and take strong climate action in order to avoid the worst outcomes on the arctic and the globe.
Month: Current Affairs - August 27, 2025
Category: current affairs daily