The latest data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado Boulder shows that the peak range of Arctic sea ice this winter has reached its lowest level since satellite records began 47 years ago. This data is not only strong evidence of climate change in the Arctic region, but also sounds the alarm of global climate change, which will have profound impacts on global climate, ecology, and human life. 鈥�

1銆� The sharp decline in sea ice area: the crisis behind the data

Every March, Arctic sea ice reaches its maximum coverage and then enters a six-month melting season. On March 22 this year, the National Snow and Ice Data Center of the United States measured the maximum extent of Arctic sea ice to be 14.33 million square kilometers, which is 1.31 million square kilometers smaller than the average highest value from 1981 to 2010 and 800000 square kilometers smaller than the lowest value recorded in 2017. These data intuitively reflect that the Arctic sea ice area is rapidly decreasing, and the trend of shrinking sea ice extent is becoming increasingly evident. This change is not accidental, but the result of long-term climate change, highlighting the imbalance of the global climate system. 鈥�

2銆� Vicious cycle intensifies: summer melting and winter recovery challenges

Although the extent of sea ice is shrinking throughout the year, summer is crucial for the overall health of the Arctic ice sheet. Scientists warn that the thin ice formed in winter will accelerate melting in summer, leading to a vicious cycle. When ice free sea areas are exposed to sunlight, they absorb more heat, leading to an increase in sea temperature and a continuous weakening of sea ice recovery ability in autumn and winter. This vicious cycle will not only further reduce Arctic sea ice, but also disrupt the ecosystem and climate balance in the Arctic region, causing a chain reaction on the global climate. 鈥�

3銆� Ecological crisis emerging: Polar bears face survival challenges

The melting of Arctic sea ice poses a serious threat to the survival of polar bears. Polar bears mainly rely on sea ice to hunt seals, and the reduction in sea ice area has greatly reduced their habitat and hunting range. Long term food scarcity has led to a sharp decline in the population and weakened physical condition of polar bears, posing severe challenges to their survival. If sea ice continues to melt at the current rate, polar bears are likely to go extinct in the coming decades, causing irreversible damage to the integrity and biodiversity of the Arctic ecosystem. 鈥�

4銆� Global climate disturbance: frequent occurrence of extreme weather

The warming rate in the Arctic region is four times faster than in other parts of the world, and this rapid warming will affect the weather in other regions. With the warming of the Arctic, the pressure and temperature difference between the north and south have decreased, weakening the jet streams that drive the weather system to move deeper into the south, leading to frequent extreme weather events such as cold waves and storms, and an increase in rain and snow. These extreme weather events not only pose a threat to human life and property safety, but also affect global agricultural production, transportation, and energy supply, bringing many adverse effects to social and economic development. 鈥�

5銆� Immediate response action is needed

The phenomenon of the winter peak of Arctic sea ice hitting a 47 year low reminds us of the severity of global climate change. Countries need to work together and actively take effective measures to address climate change. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting the use of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, protecting ecosystems such as forests and wetlands, and enhancing the ability to address climate change. At the same time, we also need to increase our research efforts in the Arctic region, gain a deeper understanding of the laws and impacts of Arctic climate change, and provide a basis for formulating scientific and reasonable response strategies. 鈥�

The new winter peak of Arctic sea ice is a strong signal from nature to humanity. If action is not taken in a timely manner, the impact of global climate change will become increasingly severe. Coping with climate change is not only to protect the ecological environment of the Arctic, but also for the future of humanity itself.