WEBVTT FILE 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.000 2 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:08.000 Arctic sea ice grows and shrinks with the seasons. 3 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:12.000 4 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:16.000 5 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:20.000 NASA works with NSIDC to track sea ice, 6 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:24.000 identifying when it reaches its peak extent at the end of winter 7 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:28.000 and the annual minimum at the end of summer. 8 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:32.000 9 00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:36.000 This year, Arctic sea ice reached its maximum extent March 13, 2019. 10 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:40.000 Although it wasn’t a record, it continued a trend of declining maximums and minimums. 11 00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:44.000 12 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:48.000 Sea ice plays an important role in regulating the planet’s climate, reflecting sunlight and heat back into space. 13 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:52.000 14 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:58.091 NASA