Scientists 'shocked' by extreme events in Antarctica as Earth heats up
New ScientistJUL 2023
Global warming — which has caused record-warm oceans and brought significant changes in ocean currents and wind patterns — is to be blamed for Antarctica's vanishing sea ice. A drop in the continent's sea ice levels has repercussions beyond the polar regions. This loss has consequences for Earth's greater climate and global weather events.
This isn't the first time scientists have raised alarms regarding vanishing sea ice levels in Antarctica. The region witnessed similar lows in 2017 and 2022. Besides, as scientists are still trying to figure out the factors that led to this year's low sea ice, it would be too early to jump to conclusions. The El Niño weather phenomenon, currently developing in the Pacific, could be at fault.