Observed Arctic sea-ice loss directly follows anthropogenic CO 2 emission

Why we are losing sea ice Arctic sea ice is disappearing rapidly, leading to predictions of an ice-free summer in the near future. Simulations of the timing of summer sea-ice loss differ substantially, making it difficult to evaluate the pace of the loss. Notz and Stroeve observed a linear relationship between the monthly-mean September sea-ice area and cumulative CO 2 emissions. This allowed them to predict Arctic summer sea ice directly from the observational record. Interestingly, most models underestimate this loss. Science , this issue p. 747

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Award: PLR 1304246
• NA
  National Aeronautics and Space Administration

  Award: NNX12AB75G