Polar regions

Almost 30 per cent of CO₂ released to the atmosphere is taken up by the oceans. As a consequence, the oceans become more acidic – in a process called ocean acidification.

Summer snow cover in the Arctic has decreased by 2.5 million km² in fifty years. The changes for animals and human livelihoods in the affected regions are dramatic.

Research shows that the tipping point for long-term melting of polar regions and high-mountain glaciers could be close.

The UK Met Office reports that “global warming will thaw about 20 per cent more permafrost than previously thought, scientists have warned – potentially releasing significant amounts of greenhouse gases into the Earth’s atmosphere.

Study argues that Arctic summer sea ice can survive only if global warming is kept below 1.5°C.