Its melting ice to Arctic He has had an impressive slowdown in the last 20 years, with scientists reporting that from the 2005 There has been no statistically significant reduction in its extent.

The finding is surprising, as carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels continue to increase, trapping more and more heat in the atmosphere.

Researchers attribute the phenomenon to natural fluctuations in the melting marine currents, temporarily offsetting the rise of global temperature. However, they warn that this is a temporary respite and that the melting will probably restart at a rate of about twice as long as the long -term within the next five to ten years.

The study does not show that the ice recovers. The area of sea ice in September – when it reaches the annual minimum – has been reduced to half of the 1979so the satellite measurements began. Scientists point out that the climate crisis remains “undoubtedly real” and the need for immediate action is unchanged.

The natural fluctuation that causes the slowdown is likely to be associated with multiple -year changes in the Atlantic and the Pacific, which affect the amount of hot water flowing into the Arctic. Despite the temporary stabilization, the region is expected to experience periods without ice later in the century, with serious impact on humans, wildlife and global overheating.

The leader of the study, Dr. Mark Englandexplained:

“It is striking, when there is a debate as to whether overheating accelerates, we are talking about deceleration.” As he said, the change in natural variation “gave us a little more time, but it is temporary – when it is over, it will not be good new.”

The survey, published in Geophysical Research Lettersanalyzed two sets of ice levels in the Arctic from 1979 until today. The slowdown was observed in all months of the year. Models of climate simulation have shown that such periods can occur twice a century, but are always followed by reinforcement of melting.

Other experts such as Professor JUlienne Stroevethey reminded that internal climate volatility can “freeze” trends for several years, without meaning change in the long -term course. At the same time, the loss of ice volume continues: Since 2010, the average thickness in October has decreased by 0.6 cm per year.

This temporary slowdown, the researchers noted, is not proof that climate change is not real. “Climate change is undoubtedly real, it is due to man and continues to seriously threaten the planet. The need for action does not change, ”England said.