Arctic Ocean could become ice-free by 2030. Why it matters?

Jun 8, 2023

The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet. This is due to human-caused climate change. Image: Pexels/Lars Bugge Aarset

Jonathan Bamber

Professor of Physical Geography, University of Bristol

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Arctic sea ice grows until March and then shrinks until September. Image: NASA

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The thickest ice (highlighted in pink) is likely to remain even if the North Pole is ice-free. Image: NERC Center for Polar Observation and Modelling, BY-SA

Walruses depend on sea ice. As it melts, they’re being forced onto land. Image: outdoorsman / shutterstock

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