Just after the news that the year 2016 is the hottest year on record, there is now news that the global sea ice is at its record low for both the Arctic and Antarctica combined. According to scientists, the measured amount of sea ice is lower than any November records from previous years. However, experts have indicated that this should not be a cause for alarm for now.
A report from Business Insider shared the insights of Mark Serreze, director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center. From the interview, he has indicated that the world has been experiencing some lost ice every year since the seventies. This is a pretty normal trend that comes with global warming. It has also been noted that the behaviour of Antarctica is pretty erratic, showing that some parts have grown as other areas have shrunk.
He has also indicated, however, that there is some significant ice lost in the Arctic. He said that in context, it is something people need to deal with. Nations in the world still need to do appropriate action to provide a solution to the continuous change in the climate. But he also specifically added that people shouldn't panic.
Though scientists have indicated that there is no cause for panic, it does not mean the lessening of sea ice should be a laughable matter. As a significantly dangerous side effect of global warming, this is just an indication that further changes in the world are to be expected in the near future.
It should be a source of awareness as melting of sea ice could have detrimental effects to ecologies that rely on its existence. Just a few days ago, polar bear carcasses were seen in Ireland, a clear indication that melting ice caps is a serious problem.