Observed and Projected Arctic Ice Cap Loss

Since 1979 more than 20% of the Polar ice cap has melted away.
Satellite observations show a very dramatic and worrying trend with a melting of the Arctic ice cap of about 30%. If this trend followed, all the ice cap would probably melt by the end of this decade.
However, the IPCC forecasts a less dramatic scenario. Anyways, we can see from the graph how the trend goes proportionally together with the increase of the world’s temperature.
The melting of ice caps leads to a direct loss of the polar ecosystem with a consequent threat for the local species. An example seen over and over the news is the imminent extinction of the polar bear.

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