Arctic may be ice-free in the summer before 2050

According to foreign media reports, coordinated by Dirk Notz of the University of Hamburg in Germany, a new study involving 21 research institutions around the world shows that the summer in the Arctic Ocean is very likely to be ice-free by 2050. The research team studied the latest results of 40 different climate models. Using these models, the researchers analyzed the future evolution of Arctic sea ice cover in the future with high carbon dioxide emissions and little climate protection. The study found that, as expected, Arctic sea ice will quickly disappear in the summer. The new study also found that even if carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced rapidly, sea ice in the Arctic summer will still occasionally disappear. Knotts said: "If we reduce global carbon emissions rapidly and substantially, so as to keep global warming below 2 ° C relative to pre-industrial levels, Arctic sea ice may still occasionally disappear in summer before 2050 Surprised us. "

At present, the Arctic is covered by sea ice all year round. Every summer, the area covered by sea ice decreases, and in winter it increases. Over the past few decades, the total area covered by sea ice in the Arctic Ocean has rapidly decreased. This has a major impact on the Arctic ecosystem and climate: Sea ice is a hunting ground and habitat for polar bears and seals, which keeps the Arctic cold by reflecting sunlight. Research shows that how long the Arctic will lose sea ice cover in the future depends on the future carbon dioxide emissions. If emissions are reduced rapidly, the ice-free year will only happen occasionally. As emissions increase, the Arctic Ocean will become ice-free in most years. Therefore, humans still have an impact on the frequency of losing sea ice cover in the Arctic all year round.