Environment Alert: 95 percent of the Arctic’s oldest ice has been lost in just three decades, federal scientists report

The report, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, suggests that the sea at the top of the world has already morphed into a new and very different state. That has major implications not only for creatures like walruses and polar bears, but in the long term, perhaps, for the pace of global warming itself. If the Arctic begins to experience entirely ice-free summers, scientists say, the planet will warm even more, as the dark ocean water absorbs large amounts of solar heating that used to be deflected by the cover of ice.

Democracy Dies in Darkness     Environment Alert Dec 11, 10:01 AM     95 percent of the Arctic's oldest ice has been lost in just three decades, federal scientists report The report, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, suggests that the sea at the top of the world has already morphed into a new and very different state. That has major implications not only for creatures like walruses and polar bears, but in the long term, perhaps, for the pace of global warming itself. If the Arctic begins to experience entirely ice-free summers, scientists say, the planet will warm even more, as the dark ocean water absorbs large amounts of solar heating that used to be deflected by the cover of ice. Read more » Advertisement You received this email because you signed up for news alerts from The Washington Post. Manage my newsletters and alerts | Unsubscribe Privacy Policy | Help ©2018 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071