This summer tension mounts as researchers wait for September and the annual minimum of Arctic sea ice. This year is particularly important because last September the ice reached its lowest extent in modern times. The movie below, from The National Snow and Ice Data Center, represents nearly 30 years of Arctic sea ice history.
What the movie shows is that sea ice was relatively stable until the last decade when changes became more pronounced. In the last five years the retreat has become even more dramatic with 2007 (Pictured on right side of movie.) being the most extensive since satellite pictures began recording the North Pole. Never in human history has the famed Northwest Passage been opened to shipping.
This event brought tears to the eyes of the Earth's oil barons because of potentially new undiscovered reserves of natural gas and oil. In fact the USGS reported in mid July 2008 that there are 90 billion barrels of oil across the arctic and 30% of the worlds undiscovered natural gas reserves.
As if to say, "not yet you greedy bastards." The arctic is showing signs of having slightly more ice this year. As many of you know it was a cool winter across the Northern Hemisphere and that may be contributing to the rebound. Also for the last year or so the Pacific Ocean has been in a La Nina phase, or cold period. The enormity of this ocean has brought minor cooling to many areas around the globe. In just about two months researchers will examine the Arctic sea ice again and we'll know if the Arctic fever continues.
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