Sea ice plays many important roles for the global climate: Its white surface can reflect energy back into space, helping the planet cool. It also acts like a blanket for the ocean, insulating it and preventing ocean heat from reaching the atmosphere. Less sea ice means more heat goes in Earth’s systems, warming the atmosphere and the oceans.

Several researchers the Barents Observer spoke with underline that sea ice extent has already changed dramatically. Just a few decades ago, both the Amundsen and Nansen basins of the Arctic Ocean were covered by several years old ice up to 4 metres thick.