There was a sharp decline in December 1 global sea ice area from 2015 to 2016, but over the past seven years it has been increasing.
ftp://osisaf.met.no/prod_test/ice/index/v2p2/nh/osisaf_nh_sie_daily.txt
ftp://osisaf.met.no/prod_test/ice/index/v2p2/sh/osisaf_sh_sie_daily.txt
Why is sea ice important? For probably 99% of the biosphere’s existence, there was no sea ice.
An hour ago leaves covered my backyard. Then the wind began to blow so I closed my garage door. Now the leaves in my backyard are fewer and sparser as most have blown against the garage door.