IPCC forecasts ice-free Arctic before 2050
UN reports says world can expect ice-free Arctic for increasing periods
An exhaustive report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that the Arctic will be ice-free for increasing periods of time. It also warns that iceberg numbers are also expected to increase, forming an heightened risk to navigation and offshore facilities.
The report’ authors said the Arctic is likely to be practically ice-free in September at least once before 2050. “There is high confidence that sea ice in the Arctic will further decrease in the future under all emission scenarios,” they said.
“The Arctic is projected to be ice-free more often during summer under 2C global warming compared to 1.5C global warming, opening new shipping lanes for international commerce and lengthening the season for offshore resource extraction,” scientists wrote in the Climate Change 2021 report.
