Finding 1:
Arctic climate is now warming rapidly and much larger changes are projected
- Annual average Arctic temperature has increased at almost twice the rate as that of the rest of the world over the past few decades, with some variations across the region.
- Additional evidence of Arctic warming comes from widespread melting of glaciers and sea ice, and a shortening of the snow season.
- Increasing global concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, are projected to contribute to additional Arctic warming of about 4-7 °C over the next 100 years.
- Increasing precipitation, shorter and warmer winters, and substantial decreases in snow cover and ice cover are among the projected changes that are very likely to persist for centuries.
- Unexpected and even larger shifts and fluctuations in climate are also possible.
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