Loss of Arctic ice: Satellite imagery shows the melting is happening much faster than climate models had predicted.

[...]

At this rate, a complete melting of Arctic sea ice could happen by 2030 - far sooner than expected.

"We've been seeing this loss of ice. What has greatly surprised us is how quickly we are losing it," said Mark Serreze, senior research scientist at the center, who led a team of six analyzing new satellite imagery received Friday.

"This is telling us the Arctic is on a fast-track of change. It may well be unstoppable ...," Serreze said. "The numbers that come to us day-to-day leave us agog, ... somewhat blue, yes. This is disturbing stuff we are seeing."

Arctic sea ice keeps polar regions cool and helps control the global climate, reflecting sunlight back into space. As the ice melts in summer, oceans heat up. Scientists at the center here in Colorado measure the amount of sea ice using imagery from U.S. Department of Defense satellites delivered by NASA. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Science Foundation support the monitoring.

Five years ago, 2070 was thought to be the soonest a total summer meltdown was possible, based on the computer modeling scientists worldwide use to try to anticipate global climate change.

[...]