CSIRO Fellow and Research Team Leader Dr Steve Rintoul said while there is some annual variation in ice coverage, this year’s records are the lowest in the 40 years since records started.
  • The decrease in sea ice in Antarctica is causing oceans to absorb more heat, leading to further warming and potentially severe impacts on ecosystems.
  • Global average sea surface temperatures have been warm since May, contributing to the warm temperatures experienced in July, which may be the hottest month ever recorded.
  • The decrease in sea ice is affecting the krill population, which migrating whales rely on for food, and penguins, which rely on sea ice for breeding.
  • The factors influencing sea ice include stronger winds from north to south, which push sea ice towards Antarctica and restrict its spread.
  • Less sea ice exposes Antarctic ice shelves to warmer water, resulting in greater melting and possible sea level rises.