Renewable Revolution

Make Nexus Hot News part of your morning: click here to subscribe.

July 2, 2019


Sea ice in Antarctica is experiencing a rapid and puzzling decline after years of gradual growth, scientists say. A NASA study of satellite data shows that ice levels hit a record low just three years after hitting a record high in 2014, bringing the amount of ice lost in Antarctica in this period equivalent to the amount of ice the Arctic has lost over 34 years.

Global weather patterns have formerly encouraged gradual sea ice growth on the continent, and some researchers worry that the mysterious ice decrease could mean overall warming has caught up with the South Pole. "The rapid decline has caught us by surprise and changes the picture completely," scientist Andrew Shepherd told the Guardian. "Now sea ice is retreating in both hemispheres and that presents a challenge because it could mean further warming."

Read more: