Data released by the National Snow and Ice Data Center in the United States shows that Arctic sea ice has reached a record low.

 

The research shows the area covered by Arctic sea ice has shrunk to 3.41 million square kilometres, which is 760,000 square kilometres less than the previous record minimum in 2007.

 

Chief Climate Commissioner Professor Tim Flannery warned that if the trend continues Australia will face serious consequences.

 

“We might think that what happens in the Arctic region has little impact on the rest of the world but in reality what happens in the polar regions affects the whole world including Australia,” Professor Flannery said.

 

“While melting sea ice does not directly raise the sea level it has flow-on effects by contributing to rapid temperature increases in the Arctic, which, in turn, causes loss of ice from the Greenland ice sheet and a rise in global sea level.”

 

“Changes in the amount of sea ice can also disrupt normal ocean circulation and are an indication of much bigger changes that are underway in the far north,” said Professor Flannery.

 

“Rising temperatures are also causing some areas of the permafrost in northern Russia and Alaska to melt, releasing the greenhouse gases methane and carbon dioxide.

 

“This is absolutely the critical decade for action. We’re only seeing the beginning of rising sea levels; the real question is the rate – how fast will sea level rise? This poses risks for coastal communities, infrastructure and ecosystems right around the world including in Australia.