EARTH CHANGE
The Arctic
Arctic sea ice is melting even faster than last year, despite a cold winter. The year began with ice covering a larger area than at the beginning of 2007. But now it is down to levels seen last June, at the beginning of a summer that broke records for sea ice loss. Scientists say that much of the ice is so thin that it melts easily, and the Arctic may be ice-free in summer within five to 10 years. A few years ago, scientists were predicting ice-free Arctic summers by about 2080. 
Then computer models started projecting earlier dates, around 2030 to 2050. By the end of last year, one research group was forecasting ice-free summers by 2013. "I think we're going to beat last year's record melt, though I'd love to be wrong. If we do, then I don't think 2013 is far off anymore. If what we think is going to happen does happen, then it'll be within a decade anyway." The ice cap holds enough water to lift sea levels globally by about seven metres (22ft) if it all melted.
Then computer models started projecting earlier dates, around 2030 to 2050. By the end of last year, one research group was forecasting ice-free summers by 2013. "I think we're going to beat last year's record melt, though I'd love to be wrong. If we do, then I don't think 2013 is far off anymore. If what we think is going to happen does happen, then it'll be within a decade anyway." The ice cap holds enough water to lift sea levels globally by about seven metres (22ft) if it all melted. 
