The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) reported that the Arctic sea ice extent presently stands at it second-lowest level ever and the situation might get worse over the coming weeks. We are currently several weeks away from the melt season’s end that’s why no final conclusions can be drawn for the moment.

NSIDC reported that Arctic sea ice extent has decreased 795,000 square miles since the beginning of the month and that the extent in now 760,000 square miles below the 1979-2000 average. In 2007 the Arctic ice melted to about 1.7 million square miles.

Scientists forecast that the Arctic Ocean is likely to remain ice free during summers as early as 2012, further accelerating the process of global warming. Because without the white ice that reflects sunlight back into space, the Earth will absorb more heat into the ocean.

The best proof for the ecological disaster we are heading towards is the recently reported case of the nine polar bears that were found swimming in open water at least 60 miles from shore. The sea ice on which they live keeps melting and bears have to swim a longer way to find food.

“The bottom line here is that polar bears need sea ice, sea ice is decaying, and the bears are in very serious trouble.  For any people who are still non-believers in global warming and the impacts it is having in the Arctic, this should answer their doubts once and for all,” said Professor Richard Steiner of the University of Alaska’s Marine Advisory Program.