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The complexities surrounding climate change have been simplified for viewers trying to decode the worrying phenomenon. In a video posted by AsapSCIENCE, science educator Bill Nye explains the nature of events as they may unfurl if ice continues to melt.

Nye focuses on the serious damage caused to the natural habitats of animals like polar bears, seals and walruses, emphasising that they’re rapidly being left without homes. Whales and narwhals aren’t safe either as the trend continues to manifest itself in various ways.

The water is more accessible to commercial ships now – there's less danger in sailing in parts previously left untouched. Thanks to this, seismic blasting is taking place at an alarming rate as they look for oil. Marine life in the Arctic Ocean may suffer greatly because of this.

The scenario will only get grimmer. According to the video, the melting ice in Greenland and Antarctica will increase sea levels as high as 70 meters. Billions of people in coastal places and major hubs like Tokyo, New York, Sao Paulo, Mumbai and Shanghai will be forced to look for homes elsewhere.

It can also possibly drown major parts of the US, huge chunks of Asia, and create an entirely new inland sea in Australia.