New Report Outlines Risks from Declines in Antarctic Sea Ice

News Briefing: 17 April 2023

Last month, the Australian Antarctic Program Partnership (AAPP) and the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (ACEAS) released a briefing paper for policy makers covering three unprecedented extreme low Antarctic sea ice events, all of which occurred in the past seven years. Antarctic sea ice plays a crucial role in local marine ecosystems, weather, ocean circulation and climate. The main message: this crucial life-support system for Earth may be faltering. The Report states that, “…the only practical mitigation measure to preserve sea ice, and the ecosystems and the services they provide to our society, is a rapid reduction in carbon emissions to slow the rate of global heating.” Authors provide a concise overview of the importance of Antarctic sea ice, its recent decline, and global implications of that decline;, and outlines actionable steps for policy makers to limit long-term ice loss from Antarctica.

https://aappartnership.org.au/publications/