New figures on Arctic sea ice have reignited debate over climate projections after the 2025 summer minimum measured 4.6 million square kilometres — around 35 per cent higher than the record low of 3.4 million square kilometres recorded in 2012.
Commentators highlighting the data say late-season ice retention has improved significantly over the past 13 years and argue that media doomsday predictions of rapidly accelerating summer ice loss have not materialised.
Some analysts claim the longer-term trend now shows little net decline in summer sea ice extent over the past 18 years, despite earlier warnings of an imminent Arctic collapse.
Arctic sea ice measured 4.6 million km2 at the 2025 summer minimum, which is 35% higher than the record low of 3.4 million km2 set in 2012.
Late-season ice retention has improved drastically in the past 13 years. Losses have not accelerated.
And when the trend is extended, the… pic.twitter.com/L66CetqpAj
— Electroverse (@Electroversenet) May 19, 2026
