Arctic ice has now dropped to a record low for this time of year after having a well below average summer. This is something that should make the news but never will.
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Total sea ice is also likely to be at a record minimum because of Antarctic sea ice extent being so low (there has definitely been a step change in the conditions there, with the Arctic things have been more gradual, but steady along with increasing regional temperatures). But interesting to see the Arctic back down to such low levels.
This is all inevitable. That’s why I can’t stand the deniers. They ignore all the negative events happening due to a specific cause but will cherry pick some event (for example a record low temperatures somewhere) that can be explained by natural variability. It’s enraging. And there are very specific purveyors of this bullshit.
Is it also good that it's above 2012 values? As in, we are at least repairing some damage as it were, even if things are not back to median levels?
It’s only a matter of time before the record minimum low extent from 2012 is broken. The up and downs are a result of year to year variation. The trend is not our friend that’s where you see the main decrease over time.
The Arctic is warming roughly 3 times faster than the temperature increased globally, sea ice concentration is probably near record levels, though I would have to check for that. But basically all the old thicker ice isn’t there anymore because it’s melted away.
(edited for correcting autocorrect 🫠).