How much has climate change affected the Arctic?

The average temperature of the Arctic has increased 2.3°C since the 1970s. Ice dependent species such as narwhals, polar bears, and walruses are at increasing risk with shrinking sea ice cover. By 2100, polar bears could face starvation and reproductive failure even in far northern Canada.

Who runs the National Snow and ice Data Center?

NSIDC is part of the University of Colorado Boulder Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), and is affiliated with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information through a cooperative agreement.

When did NASA begin collecting satellite data on Arctic sea ice?

Useful satellite data concerning sea ice began in late 1978 with the launch of NASA’s Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) satellite. When scientists compare average sea ice conditions between years, they often use a 30-year reference period of 1981 to 2010.

How much of the Arctic has melted due to global warming?

Polar ice caps are melting as global warming causes climate change. We lose Arctic sea ice at a rate of almost 13\% per decade, and over the past 30 years, the oldest and thickest ice in the Arctic has declined by a stunning 95\%.

What is climate change in the Arctic?

Over the past 30 years, the Arctic has warmed at roughly twice the rate as the entire globe, a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification. Most scientists agree that this rapid warming is a signal of human-caused climate change. The floating sea ice cover of the Arctic Ocean is shrinking, especially during summer.

What is climate change doing to the Arctic?

The Arctic is warming three times as fast and the global average. This significant regional warming leads to continued loss of sea ice, melting of glaciers and of the Greenland ice cap. The Arctic is warming three times as fast and the global average.

Where is the National Snow and Ice Data Center located?

Boulder, CO
NSIDC DAAC is located in Boulder, CO. NSIDC DAAC has served at the forefront of cryospheric data management practices since 1976.

What university does Nsidc operate out of?

The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) part of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado at Boulder, serves as a national information and referral center in support of snow and ice research.

How can a loss of sea ice cause climate change?

Changes in the amount of sea ice can disrupt normal ocean circulation, thereby leading to changes in global climate. Even a small increase in temperature can lead to greater warming over time, making the polar regions the most sensitive areas to climate change on Earth.

How climate change is changing the maritime transportation in the Arctic?

1. The changing climate in the Arctic is opening up new sea lanes for vessels faster than communities and governments are currently able to adapt. 2. Increased maritime traffic is already impacting international, national, and human security in the Alaska region and throughout the Arctic.

How can we stop global warming in the Arctic?

Fast mitigation at scale can still slow future Arctic warming, starting with immediate cuts to the short-lived climate pollutants—black carbon, methane, tropospheric ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons. Cutting emissions of these short-lived pollutants immediately can reduce the rate of Arctic warming by up to two-thirds.

How can we help save the Arctic?

Reducing your carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels can help save the Arctic. Discover practical ways you can make a difference, from joining our campaigns to shopping greener at the supermarket and making your home energy efficient.