The Arctic is melting. Last January, its sea ice registered a new all-time low, according to satellite images. With a loss of 13,400 billion square kilometers, scientists predict that this winter will be one of the most difficult for the Arctic. and, above all, for its inhabitants, such as the polar bear, who need ice to be able to approach and hunt their prey.
However, the global average temperature continues to rise. The polar regions are especially vulnerable, as snow reflects the sun's rays, sending them back into space. But there comes a time when it weakens and melts, causing the sea level to rise.
In this image you can see the area that the ice occupied during the month of January of the years 1981-2010 marked with a red line. Image - National Snow and Ice Data Center
In this image from the National Snow and Ice Data Center you can see the surface that the ice occupied during the month of January in the period 1981-2010, marked with a red line and the one it occupies this year. The difference is huge. But, the situation could not be different. According to NOAA, It has been the third warmest month of January taking as reference the same period (1981-2010).
Temperature anomalies on the land and ocean surface in January 2017. Image - NOAA
The global average temperature stood at 0,88ºC above the 12ºC average of the last century, the third highest in January in the period 1880-2017, and the temperature of the sea surface was 0,65ºC of the 15,8ºC of the average of the XNUMXth century, which was the second highest for the same reference period.
Percentage of loss of Arctic sea ice during the months of October to February since 1981. Image - National Snow and Ice Data Center.
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