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.
How much do you know?
What was the global average temperature difference in February compared to before the Industrial Revolution?
In the Arctic, the sea ice extent was below average by what percentage in February?
How many months in a row had the lowest ice extent in the Arctic?
What percentage below average was the sea ice extent in the Antarctic in February?
Why is the decline in Antarctic sea ice concerning?
What was the rank of February in terms of global temperature records?
Satellite measurements in February showed there was higher sea ice coverage than ever before.
The decline in Antarctic sea ice levels has no impact on polar ecosystems.
The Arctic sea ice extent in February was 5% below average.
The global average temperatures in February were lower than pre-Industrial Revolution levels.
February experienced the highest recorded global temperatures in history.
The sea ice decline in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is solely due to natural causes.
The global average temperatures in February were 1.59°C higher than before the Revolution.
In the Arctic, the sea ice was 8% below average, missing an area of ice about the size of .
The sea ice in the Antarctic reached its fourth-lowest extent in February, remaining 26% below .
The decline in ice levels is concerning as it can harm ecosystems and contribute to sea level rise.
The Arctic sea ice extent has been declining over the past years.
The third month in a row to have the lowest ice extent in the Arctic indicates a trend.
