Antarctic sea ice melting faster than ever amid accelerating climate change effects, data shows

The U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center says signs of climate change appear to be ramping up, with Antarctic sea ice melting faster than ever before. And experts say it could hold large impacts to regional and global ecosystems. The center says this year's maximum sea ice level is about one million square kilometers less than the previous record low set in 1986. For context, that is about the same size as British Columbia. And the average maximum amount of sea ice between 1981 to 2010 compared to this year is about 1.75 million square kilometers less, about the size of B.C. and Alberta combined. Experts say sea ice is necessary for penguins who use it to breed and rear their young, on top of other environmental factors. It affects ecosystems, it affects fisheries, it affects global climate, and it affects our sea level. So it's actually something that's really important in the Earth system and that we should care about. National National University's Arianne Purick says last year's drop in sea ice levels was responsible for around 9,000 penguin drownings. This comes as sea ice levels were at a record low during the Southern Hemisphere's summer months in February. The ice plays a role in Earth's energy balance, reflecting sunlight back into space. It has experts concerned about whether this level of decline will become a trend. The NSIDC says this is a preliminary report, with a full analysis expected early next month. Kyle Benning, Global News. Thanks.