How Melting Arctic Ice Affects the Earth

As Arctic ice continues to melt, the planet will experience more frequent and intense heatwaves — this climate scientist explains why.

In June 2021, temperatures in the Pacific Northwest reached a high of 115°F and resulted in the deaths of nearly 200 people. Heatwaves are a natural phenomenon, but concurrent conditions can exacerbate their impacts. As Arctic sea ice continues to melt in a warming world, there is a ripple effect on the global climate.