Background: Reduction of the area of Arctic sea ice reduces the planet's average albedo, possibly resulting in global warming in a positive feedback mechanism. Research shows that the Arctic may become ice free in the summer for the first time in human history within by 2040. Estimates vary for when the last time the Arctic was ice free: 65 million years ago when fossils indicate that plants existed there to as few as 5,500 years ago; ice and ocean cores going back 8000 years to the last warm period or 125,000 during the last intraglacial period.Warming temperatures in the Arctic may cause large amounts of fresh meltwater to enter the north Atlantic, possibly disrupting global ocean current patterns. Potentially severe changes in the Earth's climate might then ensue.As the extent of sea ice diminishes and sea level rises, the effect of storms such as the Great Arctic Cyclone of 2012 on open water increases, as does possible salt-water damage to vegetation on shore at locations such as the Mackenzie's river delta as stronger storm surges become more likely.Global warming has increased encounters between polar bears and humans. Reduced sea ice due to melting is causing polar bears to search for new sources of food. Beginning in December 2018 and coming to an apex in February 2019, a mass invasion of polar bears into the archipelago of Novaya Zemlya caused local authorities to declare a state of emergency. Dozens of polar bears were seen entering homes and public buildings and inhabited areas.

Situation: Mike was reading about climate change. The author compared two different time periods, era A and era B. Era A was set in the present day. But era B was set in the year 2040. Mike was surprised to find how Arctic area would change in the coming years.

Question: Which period would see less ice in the Arctic, era A or era B?
Answer: era B

Situation: Mike was reading about climate change. The author compared two different time periods, era A and era B. Era A was set in the present day. But era B was set in the year 2040. Mike was surprised to find how Arctic area would change in the coming years.

Question: Which period would see more ice in the Arctic, era A or era B?
Answer: era A

Situation: Mike was reading about climate change. The author compared two different time periods, era A and era B. Era A was set in the present day. But era B was set in the year 2040. Mike was surprised to find how Arctic area would change in the coming years.

Question: Would era A see less or more ice in the Arctic than era B?
Answer: more

Situation: Mike was reading about climate change. The author compared two different time periods, era A and era B. Era A was set in the present day. But era B was set in the year 2040. Mike was surprised to find how Arctic area would change in the coming years.

Question: Would era B see less or more ice in the Arctic than era A?
Answer: less

Situation: Mike was reading about climate change. The author compared two different time periods, era A and era B. Era A was set in the present day. But era B was set in the year 2040. Mike was surprised to find how Arctic area would change in the coming years.

Question: In which time more fresh meltwater would enter the north Atlantic, era A or era B?
Answer: era B

Situation: Mike was reading about climate change. The author compared two different time periods, era A and era B. Era A was set in the present day. But era B was set in the year 2040. Mike was surprised to find how Arctic area would change in the coming years.

Question: In which time less fresh meltwater would enter the north Atlantic, era A or era B?
Answer: era A

Situation: Mike was reading about climate change. The author compared two different time periods, era A and era B. Era A was set in the present day. But era B was set in the year 2040. Mike was surprised to find how Arctic area would change in the coming years.

Question: Would less or more fresh meltwater enter the north Atlantic in era A than in era B?
Answer: less

Situation: Mike was reading about climate change. The author compared two different time periods, era A and era B. Era A was set in the present day. But era B was set in the year 2040. Mike was surprised to find how Arctic area would change in the coming years.

Question: Would less or more fresh meltwater enter the north Atlantic in era B than in era A?
Answer: more

Situation: Mike was reading about climate change. The author compared two different time periods, era A and era B. Era A was set in the present day. But era B was set in the year 2040. Mike was surprised to find how Arctic area would change in the coming years.

Question: Which period would see more human polar bear encounters, era A or era B?
Answer: era B

Situation: Mike was reading about climate change. The author compared two different time periods, era A and era B. Era A was set in the present day. But era B was set in the year 2040. Mike was surprised to find how Arctic area would change in the coming years.

Question: Which period would see less human polar bear encounters, era A or era B?
Answer: era A