Sea ice levels in Antarctica have registered historic lows for three consecutive years, portending grave consequences for life on Earth as we know it

Sea ice levels in Antarctica have hit record lows for three consecutive years, signaling dire consequences for life on Earth as we know it.

However, despite these warnings, scientist Miguel Angel de Pablo expresses frustration over humanity's seeming disregard for the issue.

"We (scientists) are deeply concerned... because we don't see a way to address it on our own," stated the Spanish planetary geologist to AFP from Livingston Island in the South Shetland Antarctic archipelago.

"Despite our efforts to raise awareness and alert society to the situation, it appears that we are not being heard, and are often dismissed as alarmists, despite the overwhelming evidence," he lamented.

The US National Snow & Ice Data Center (NSIDC) reported Wednesday that minimum Antarctic sea ice extent came in at under two million square kilometers (772,000 square miles) for a third consecutive February -- the height of the southern summer thaw season.

Minimum sea ice cover for all three years were the lowest since records began 46 years ago.

Melting sea ice has no immediate impact on ocean levels, as it forms by freezing salt water already in the ocean.

But the white ice reflects more of the sun's rays than darker ocean water, and its loss accentuates global warming while exposing the on-land freshwater ice sheet, which could cause a catastrophic sea level rise if it melts.

"Even though we are far from any inhabited part of the planet, in reality what happens in Antarctica affects everything" in the rest of the world, said De Pablo.

A study last year found that nearly half of Antarctica's ice shelves -- floating sheets attached to the landmass -- have also reduced in volume in the past 25 years, releasing trillions of tons of meltwater into the oceans.

This has implications not only for sea levels but also for ocean salinity and temperature, said De Pablo.