Arctic Sea Ice To Hit Record Low

By Cheston Catalano with comments August 23, 2012 11:58

Submitted by Cheston Catalano

The previous record low was set in 2007.

Arctic sea ice plays a key role in help keep polar regions cool and helps control the global climate system.

The white surface of the ice reflects about 80% of incident sunlight back into the atmosphere, or into space.

When the sea ice melts, it exposes more of the dark ocean surface, resulting in 90% of the sunlight being absorbed, which warms the Arctic ocean.