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2019 Arctic Report Card: Visual highlights

The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent ties up to the Coast Guard Cutter Healy in the Arctic Ocean on September 5, 2009. The two ships were taking part in a multi-year, multi-agency Arctic survey to map the Arctic continental shelf. Photo by Patrick Kelley, U.S. Coast Guard.

NOAA’s 14th Arctic Report Card recounts the numerous ways that climate change continued to disrupt the polar region during 2019, with near-record high air and ocean temperatures, a massive melt of the Greenland ice sheet, record low sea-ice extents, and major shifts in the distribution of commercially valuable marine species. 

The Arctic Report Card is an annual volume of original, peer-reviewed environmental observations and analysis of a region undergoing rapid and dramatic change. Compiled by 81 scientists from 12 nations, the 2019 report card tracks a number of environmental indicators to inform decisions by local, state and federal leaders, as Arctic residents confront the challenges and opportunities presented by a rapidly changing climate and ecosystem. It was released today at the American Geophysical Union fall meeting in San Francisco. 

Full press release | Arctic Report Card 

Below are links to five image-based stories that highlight some findings from this year's report.


2019 was Arctic's second-warmest year on record


At gateways to the Arctic, northern fish are retreating


2019 Melt season on Greenland Ice Sheet rivals record for area and duration


Less than 1 percent of Arctic ice has survived four or more summers


As sea ice disappears, Arctic seas are experiencing extreme summer warmth


Previous years' coverage

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

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