During the past 40 years, the Arctic Ocean has undergone significant changes due to global warming and climate change. The Arctic sea ice has been gradually declining in extent, thickness, and volume, with the summer minimum shrinking by approximately 13.1% per decade. The Arctic sea ice cover is also becoming younger and thinner, as well as more vulnerable to melting and weather events. The warming of the Arctic Ocean has caused the permafrost to thaw, releasing previously trapped methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, further amplifying global warming. Additionally, these changes have disrupted the Arctic ecosystem, affecting the survival of unique species and altering ocean circulation and coastlines.
