Part 2/15:
Recently, there was a notable stir in climate circles when data revealed that Arctic sea ice on January 9, 2024, reached its highest level in two decades. This rekindling of ice was heralded by some as a sign of recovery, challenging narratives of relentless Arctic melting. While skeptics pointed out that a single data point does not define long-term trends, others reminded us that the September minimum in 2012—an infamous low point—was nearly surpassed in terms of ice extent many years later. Specifically, in 2025, Arctic ice on September 17 totaled approximately 4.686 million square kilometers, roughly 40% more than that historic low. This figure is well above the 2012 mark and suggests a rebound rather than an unending decline.