New research by a team from McGill University indicates that the “Last Ice Area” (LIA) in the Arctic may vanish sooner than previously thought, due to climate change. Using the Community Earth System Model, the team found that the LIA, expected to be the last refuge for Arctic ice, could become ice-free annually by 2035, with the last permanent ice disappearing within 6 to 44 years thereafter. The study highlights the importance of the northern LIA in maintaining sea ice and supporting wildlife like polar bears and seals, many of which are already threatened. The implications of losing this area extend to indigenous communities that rely on it for sustenance. The research underscores the urgent need to address global warming to protect Arctic habitats. The findings are documented in the journal Communications Earth & Environment.
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