The polar regions are one of the most important drivers of the world's climate. They are responsible and directly affect the world's temperatures, global ocean circulation, and sea level.
The impacts of a ice-free Arctic are far reaching, and could trigger an abrupt and cataclysmic change in climate in the future. Although it is difficult to see exactly how a decline in ice will impact the local and global environment, basic understanding of the Arctic and careful observations gives us a rough estimate of how things will change. |