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Sea ice in Antarctica reached its smallest area on record in February for the second consecutive year, continuing a decade-long decline.

Ice cover decline: Key data

The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) provided the figures, highlighting the significant decrease in Antarctic sea ice.
On February 16, the ocean surface covered by ice around Antarctica shrank to 2.09 million square kilometers (800,000 square miles), the lowest level since satellite records began.

Both the North and South poles have experienced significant warming, with temperatures rising by approximately 3 degrees Celsius compared to late 19th-century levels, three times the global average.
Arctic sea ice has been diminishing by about 3 percent per year since the late 1970s, while sea ice in Antarctica has remained relatively constant with large annual variations.

Recent ice cover reduction during the southern hemisphere summer has been most pronounced in West Antarctica, which is more vulnerable to the impacts of global warming compared to East Antarctica.
Antarctica witnessed its first recorded heatwave in 2020, with temperatures 9.2 degrees Celsius above the mean maximum. Unusual temperature spikes have been observed in various parts of Antarctica.
The Arctic has also experienced significant declines in sea ice, with the record minimum sea ice extent occurring in 2012.

Global sea level rise: Melting ice in Antarctica contributes to rising sea levels worldwide.
Disruption of ecosystems: Declining ice cover disrupts habitats and food sources for ice-dependent species.
Increased warming: Less ice reflects sunlight, leading to more heat absorption and further ice melting.
Changes in ocean circulation: Declining ice cover can disrupt currents and impact global climate patterns.
Release of stored carbon: Melting ice releases trapped carbon, potentially affecting marine ecosystems and contributing to climate change.
Amplification of global warming: Reduced ice cover creates a positive feedback loop, exacerbating climate change.
Disruption of biodiversity and food chains: Changing ice conditions impact species relying on ice algae and affect the overall Southern Ocean ecosystem.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicted with high confidence that the Arctic Ocean would become practically ice-free in September at least once by mid-century.
The decreasing trends in both Arctic and Antarctic sea ice highlight the urgent need to address climate change and its impact on the Polar Regions.