Researchers based in Korea, Canada and Germany say the Arctic could be deprived of sea ice in September as early as the 2030s. This will happen "regardless of the emission scenarios", say the scientists who warn that it is already too late.
The decline of this ice can be attributed in large part to greenhouse gas emissions, say the researchers. The disappearance of the ice "will accelerate Arctic warming, which can increase extreme weather events in mid-latitudes, such as heat waves and forest fires," says the lead author of the study.