The Arctic's sea ice cover has been shrinking

Arctic-wide, sea ice in 2020 dwindled to the second lowest minimum extent on record, and it was taking longer to form in the fall. The chart tracks the amount of ocean with at least 15% sea ice cover.

Satellite measurements have provided full coverage of the Arctic since 1979.
Chart: The Conversation, CC-BY-ND Source: National Snow and Ice Data Center Get the data