Scientists have warned that ships traveling through the Arctic are leaving behind marine trash as the region warms twice as fast as the rest of the world, causing sea ice to disappear and opening new shipping routes. The trash, which was noticed last year, is a direct result of increased human maritime activities, according to climate scientist Rick Thoman. Voyages by fishing, cargo, and military ships jumped 58% between 2016 and 2019 along the region's busiest lane along the Siberian coast, and experts say the traffic will rise further as global temperatures continue to climb. The shipping traffic also causes noise, which is a problem for marine mammals who rely on sound to navigate and socialize. The annual Arctic Report Card released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration noted a new springtime sea ice record low in 2021, among other signs that climate change is fast transforming the region.