Arctic Ice In Death Spiral (News)

More than 2.5 million square kilometres
of the Arctic Ocean have been opened
 up to the heat of the 24-hour summer sun.

At present we have warming in the Arctic at at least twice the global rate.
This warming is being accelerated by the sea ice retreat in a process of
positive feedback. As the sea ice melts and gives way to water, the surface
albedo (reflectivity) changes, more heat energy is absorbed which enhances
the warming and melting. The whole region is flipping into a hotter state
- and we could ultimately have an ice-free Arctic - melting permafrost would
release vast quantities of methane - and it would be the end of the world as
we know it.
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