New research indicates that Arctic sea ice has been melting at a slower rate over the last 20 years, despite ongoing global warming. While human-caused climate change accounts for two-thirds of the melting, natural climate variability contributes to the slowdown. The study shows that the rate of sea ice loss has been the slowest since satellite records began, but this is a temporary phenomenon. Scientists warn that once the slowdown ends, the rate of decline could accelerate significantly.