Sea ice plays many important roles for the global climate: Its white surface can reflect energy back into space, helping the planet cool. It also acts like a blanket for the ocean, insulating it and preventing ocean heat from reaching the atmosphere. Less sea ice means more heat goes in Earth’s systems, warming the atmosphere and the oceans.

The extent of sea ice blanketing the Arctic this winter fell to the lowest level on record, researchers announced this week, an ominous signal about the effects of climate change in the world’s fastest-warming region.

Several researchers the Barents Observer spoke with underline that sea ice extent has already changed dramatically. Just a few decades ago, both the Amundsen and Nansen basins of the Arctic Ocean were covered by several years old ice up to 4 metres thick.