Friday 13 August 2021

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Why are Sea Ice so important?

Although sea ice is mostly in the Arctic and Antarctic, when it melts it has a knock-on effect on the entire planet.

This is because the bright surface of the ice reflects sunlight back into the atmosphere, and out into space - keeping the polar regions much cooler than the equator.

But as the ice gradually melts, there are fewer bright surfaces to reflect this sunlight, meaning that more of the heat is absorbed in the surface and the temperature of the oceans rise.

The warmed ocean then melts the ice further, triggering a continuous cycle of warming and melting. This also disrupts the normal circulation of the ocean, which affects the rest of the world's climate too. 

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