Antarctic sea ice levels are now at their lowest on record

Sea ice in the Antarctic has fallen to its lowest level since records began 40 years ago, according to preliminary data from satellites. 

The new measurements show it has surpassed the previous record minimum, set in March 2017, of 810,000 square miles (2.1 million square kilometres), after dropping to 765,000 square miles (1.98 million square kilometres) on February 20. 

Campaigners say the situation is so dire that ice is now dwindling three times faster than in the 1990s, contributing to global sea level rise.

Preliminary measurements show it has surpassed the previous record minimum, set in 2017 (pictured), of 2.1 million square kilometres, after dropping to 1.98…