Categories: Cryosphere Capsules

COP29 Video of the Week: Antarctic Sea Ice at a Crossroads – Status Quo and Future Implications

Since 2016, Antarctic sea ice has remained below the long-term average, with extreme lows in recent summers and winters. These extremes impact terrestrial and marine ecosystems, heat and nutrient distribution, ocean circulation, and expose the margins of the Antarctic Ice Sheet to greater wave and storm activity. Speakers included Stefanie Ardent, Alfred Wegener Institute; Will Hobbes, University of Tasmania; Robbie Mallett, UiT The Arctic University of Norway; Jacqueline Stefels, University of Groningen; and Petra Heil, Australian Antarctic Division. They discussed the current state of Antarctic sea ice, its global climate and ecosystem impacts, and their implications in recent climate projections in an open dialogue with policymakers and other stakeholders. Note: some portions of this on-site video have competing noise, but turning on closed captions (button in the bottom right corner) can help.

Video Recording

Pam Pearson

Recent Posts

Record Low Snow in Hindu Kush Himalaya Threatens Water Supply

ICIMOD, April 24, 2026 2026 marks the fourth consecutive year of below-average snow conditions in…

5 days ago

Global Warming Weakens AMOC While Temporarily Strengthening Nordic Overturning Circulation

Ocean Science, 20 Apr 2026 Global warming and increased freshwater input from melting ice are…

5 days ago

Lack of Monitoring for Glacier Biodiversity: A Critical Gap in EU Policy

Science, 23 Apr 2026 Specially-adapted species living in glacier regions face rapid snowpack and ice…

5 days ago

Tides and Ocean Layering Shape Ice Shelf Melt, Impacting Antarctic Sea-Level Rise Projections

Science Advances, 24 Apr 2026 Observations from the grounding zone beneath the Ross Ice Shelf…

5 days ago

COP30 Video of the Week: Forecast-Based Financing and Adaptation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

The Hindu Kush Himalaya faces rising climate extremes that threaten mountain communities, demanding a shift…

5 days ago

Without Emissions Cuts, A Real Risk of Extreme Sea-level Rise by 2100

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, 23 April 2026 Observations suggest we are currently tracking…

3 weeks ago