Historic Arctic sea ice low spells trouble for Arctic wildlife and people
Toronto (March 15, 2016) – The maximum expanse of Arctic Ocean sea ice is expected to hit a record low this year, which could spell trouble for Arctic wildlife and people across the region.
The US-based National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) reported today that a warmer than average Arctic winter resulted in a sea ice maximum of 14,478 million km2 on March 2, 2016, which will break last year’s new record low if does not further expand.
Arctic sea ice is recorded year-round, reaching a maximum each winter, and a minimum at the end of the summer months. While low winter maximums do not always lead to extreme lows in late summer, they do have impacts on Arctic wildlife. New polar bear mothers emerging from a long fast in the dens where they gave birth over winter need quick access to sea ice to feed and regain their strength.
“The record low Arctic Ocean sea ice coverage could pose a challenge for polar bears across the region, especially in some of their most important feeding areas,” said Paul Crowley, Director of WWF-Canada’s Arctic program. “In the Canadian Arctic, the low sea ice coverage means that polar bears and many other Arctic species will have trouble finding food.”
The low sea ice conditions will also have a negative effect on ringed seals, polar bears’ main prey. The seals need sea ice to give birth to their pups, Crowley says.
“The continued loss of Arctic sea ice is another important reminder that the world doesn’t have time to waste. Governments, cities and businesses must act now on the commitments that came out of the Paris climate negotiations in December 2015,” says Crowley.
Late last year, governments meeting in Paris adopted a deal that lays the foundation for long-term voluntary efforts to fight climate change. The Paris Agreement includes a long-term temperature goal of well below 2°C of warming and a reference to a 1.5°C goal, sending a strong signal that governments are committed to following the latest science.
The Paris Agreement is also the first agreement that joins all nations in a common cause on climate change based on their historic, current and future responsibilities.
“There is simply no alternative to implementing climate commitments. The impacts we’re now seeing in the Arctic show that our most fragile ecosystems are at risk, here in Canada and across the entire region. But at the same time, we have a chance to get things right by investing in renewable energy solutions that help reduce emissions and lessen our impact on the planet,” says Crowley.
Last week, Canada and the United States agreed to several Arctic initiatives, underscoring the need to take action on both mitigating climate change and on Arctic conservation to reduce the impacts of change already being experienced.
On April 22, governments will meet at the United Nations in New York when the new global climate deal is opened for signature. This coincides with the global observance of Earth Day.
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For more information, please contact:
Chris Chaplin, Senior Communications Specialist, WWF-Canada, +1 416 669 9155, [email protected]