Global sea ice reaches new record low

Global sea ice reached a new record low in February after decades of decline, breaking a record set just two years ago.

Global sea ice reached a new record low in February, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. This data, which combines the extent of sea ice from the Arctic and Antarctic, has records that date back to the late 1970s.

Previously, 2023 held the record low for global ice following decades of decline. Scientists blame an Arctic heat wave for the new record, which prevented the normal growth of ice in February.

Arctic sea ice reached its lowest monthly extent for February, at 8% below the historical average, Copernicus said. The Arctic had previously set a record low for minimum (summer) ice just last year in September.

According to NOAA, sea ice helps prevent further warming of the globe, and the loss of ice impacts natural ecosystems on land and below sea-level.

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