Arctic ice had been expanding for 1,000 years before reaching its greatest extent around 1960

A recent study indicates that the Barnes Ice Cap had begun expanding nearly 2,000 years ago. This expansion was attributed to cooler summer conditions that allowed ice to grow. However, rising greenhouse gas emissions reversed this trend and caused significant ice retreat since the 1960s. Researchers emphasize that human-induced warming has disrupted natural climate patterns that favored renewed glacial growth.