The rapid changes in today's climate could diminish Arctic sea ice until it's gone in just two years, which experts note would be the first time in 10,000 years. This could create an unfavorable impact to the environment and life on earth.
Artic sea ice moderates the entire global climate. According to the National Show and Data Center's website, 80% of the sunlight that hits the sea ice reflects back to the space. When the sea ice melts during summer, it exposes the dark surface of the ocean, which then absorbs 90% of the sun's heat. This phenomenon pushes the ocean's temperature up.
The current sea index tracking shows that ice in the Arctic region is steadily melting, and has not shown any signs of stopping in the coming months, according to NASA's report. This conclusion was based upon results in August, which also happened to be the hottest month of the year, in tandem with July. The temperatures for these two months was by far warmer than in previous years.
Dr. Peter Wadhams, a Professor of Ocean Physics at Cambridge University since 2001 and Director of the Scott Polar Institute from 1987 to 1992, has predicted the phenomenon, which he has detailed in his book, A Farewell to Ice: A Report from the Arctic. In his book, he describes how the ice in the North Pole region will disappear in the middle of this century.
NASA supports Dr. Wadhams analysis based on their records, which proved that 2016 has, indeed, been a "hot" year for the planet, as evidenced by the rising sea-level in different continents.
"According to climate scientists I've interviewed, nations might moderate the planetary abuse caused by generations of mankind pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, ocean, plants and soil," said Gregg Zoroya of Knoxville News Sentinel.
