“When we look at sea ice trends, positive trends are just as likely to occur as negative ones, specifically within the next 10 years”

Research scientist address Arctic Sea ice loss | lehighvalleylive.com

“When we look at sea ice trends, positive trends are just as likely to occur as negative ones, specifically within the next 10 years,” [Dr. Jennifer Kay, a research scientist from the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado] said. “But once you hit 20 years, it’s more skewed toward negative trends.”

Kay said, in terms of the atmospheric response to sea ice loss, sea ice is under the control of the climate system. In other words, if you warm the climate, the sea ice goes away. However, she also said sea ice loss is reversible and there is no evidence for the existence of a “tipping point.”