The reflective arctic sea ice that regulates earth’s temperature has shrunk to the smallest extent recorded in 32 years — and scientists tracking the data say they believe the impact will be felt worldwide.
Satellite images analyzed over the weekend at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, in Boulder at the University of Colorado, show that the total area covered by sea ice shrunk by 27,000 square miles from the previous low in 2007.
These findings amount to an exclamation point on a trend in which the past six years have brought the six lowest levels of sea ice since 1979, when the scientific measuring began.
The annual lowest points typically are not reached until mid September. The sea ice still is melting this week.
Sea ice affects climate by reflecting sunlight as the light reaches earth. This helps cool the planet.
“Without the ice there, the ocean absorbs that energy, and that heats up the ocean,” said Walt Meier, research scientist at the Snow and Ice Data Center. “We do expect there are going to be changes. We are changing a major part of the earth’s surface.
“The arctic is not like Las Vegas,” Meier said. “What happens in the arctic does not stay in the arctic.”
The area covered by miles, down from 1.61 million square miles at the previous low recorded on Sept. 18, 2007.
The overall sea ice area has decreased by about 40 percent over the past three decades. Scientists say they expect the shrinking will continue. The arctic sea ice measured by scientists represents the total area in all arctic oceans, where ice covers at least 15 percent of the ocean surface.
A national research team based at CU has embarked on a $3 million effort to understand the broader impacts. Scientists plan to use tools including unmanned aircraft to understand the characteristics and changes in sea ice.
The national snow and ice data center is part of CU-Boulder’s Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, an institute tied to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Bruce Finley: 303-954-1700, bfinley@denverpost.com or twitter.com/finleybruce
