Arctic sea ice has been in steep decline since the late 1970s, when satellite images were first used to study the region. Scientists say the disappearance of sea ice is largely a result of climate change, with the Arctic warming at a faster rate than any other region. Minimum Sea Ice Extent in the Arctic Million sq. Arctic ice set a record-low maximum extent of 5.6 million square miles this March, following an exceedingly warm winter. 2017 Arctic Sea Ice Minimum Ice extent on Sept. 13, 2017 and median for that date ASIA Chukchi Sea Beaufort Sea 2017 EUROPE NORTH AMERICA Median extent 1981-2010 ASIA 2017 EUROPE NORTH AMERICA Median extent 1981-2010The retreat of the ice is not good news for polar bears, which are already in decline in the southern Beaufort.

Source: New York Times September 22, 2017 15:45 UTC