"Worse Than the Expected Worst"... Antarctic Sea Ice That Doesn't Freeze Even in Winter

New Zealand Scientist: "Sea Ice Floating in Antarctic Ocean Dramatically Decreasing"
"Rapid and Immediate Greenhouse Gas Reduction Needed"

The amount of Antarctic sea ice during the winter has dropped to its lowest level since 1980.

According to multiple New Zealand media outlets, New Zealand scientists diagnosed at the New Zealand-Australia Antarctic Science Conference held in Christchurch on the 28th that "the amount of sea ice floating in the Antarctic Ocean has decreased so dramatically that the situation is more severe than the previously anticipated worst-case scenario."

Photo by Pixabay

The current amount of sea ice is about 20% less than at any time since 1980.

Professor Tessa Vance from the University of Tasmania in Australia said, "As an earth scientist, this is very concerning," adding, "I just hope it is not an insurmountable problem."

Professor Tim Naish, a climate scientist at Victoria University of New Zealand, stated, "Antarctic sea ice has not formed to the levels observed in previous winters," describing it as "an abnormal figure completely outside the expected statistical range."

Not only is this a figure never seen in past records, but it also surpasses the worst anticipated scenario. He said, "Based on historical records, we did not expect the sea ice level to be this low," and predicted that future conditions are also unpredictable.

Quoting statisticians, he said, "An event deviating this much from expectations occurs once in 7 billion cases. The odds of winning the lottery are higher than accurately predicting the amount of sea ice this winter."

There is also an analysis that we have entered a vicious cycle. Dr. Richard Levy of the New Zealand Geological and Nuclear Science Institute (GNS) warned, "Sea ice reflects sunlight and cools the Earth," adding, "The Earth is losing an important shield in the fight against climate change."

He argued that when the Earth's surface is covered with white ice or snow, sunlight is reflected back into space. He predicted, "Therefore, if sea ice disappears, the Earth will absorb more heat, become increasingly warmer, and cause ice sheets to melt."

Scientists view greenhouse gas reduction as a crucial solution. Professor Naish emphasized, "What we can do now is to engage in deep, rapid, and immediate greenhouse gas reduction."

Not only has the amount of sea ice decreased, but extreme weather events have simultaneously struck worldwide recently. The United States experienced record-breaking heatwaves in the Southwest and heavy rains in the Northeast, while Europe faced a powerful heatwave surpassing previous highest temperatures. India has suffered flood damage due to monsoon rains lasting several days. Experts agree that abnormal weather is becoming more extreme and frequent due to warming, warning that a "catastrophic crisis" caused by climate change may occur.