Humans May Have Altered Arctic Ice Much Earlier than Thought – Inside Science
Article Synopsis – For 40 years, heat trapped by human-caused greenhouse gas pollution has been eating away at Arctic sea ice. But for a brief span in the 20th century, Arctic sea ice was actually increasing — and that may be our fault too, according to a new study. Researchers found that between 1950 and 1975, certain types of air pollution – sulfate aerosols – counteracted the effects of greenhouse gases that hold heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. The balance of these gases at that time cooled the Earth and helped sea ice to grow. The findings emphasize the fragility of the Arctic sea ice system, with humanity’s changing pollution habits buffeting the region first one way, then the other. To read the actual article click here.