In February of this year, satellite measurements showed that there was less sea ice covering the oceans than ever before. This is because of the warmer temperatures in the world causing the ice to melt. The global average temperatures in February were 1.59°C higher than before the Industrial Revolution, making it the third warmest February on record.
The high temperatures affected the sea ice extent globally, including in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. In the Arctic, the sea ice was 8% below average, missing an area of ice about the size of the UK. This was the third month in a row to have the lowest ice extent in the Arctic.
In the Antarctic, the sea ice has been declining over the past two years. In February, the ice reached its fourth-lowest extent, remaining 26% below average. This decline in ice levels is concerning as it can harm polar ecosystems and contribute to sea level rise.
Vocabulary List:
- Extent /ɪkˈstɛnt/ (noun): The area or range covered by something.
- Declining /dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/ (verb): Becoming smaller or weaker.
- Ecosystems /ˈiːkoʊˌsɪstəmz/ (noun): Communities of living organisms interacting with their environment.
- Contribute /kənˈtrɪb.juːt/ (verb): To give (something such as money or time) to help achieve or provide something.
- Concern /kənˈsɜrn/ (noun): A matter that is important or affects someone.
- Temperatures /ˈtɛmpərətʃərz/ (noun): A measure of how hot or cold something is often measured in degrees.
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