No more ice in the Arctic by 2040

Researchers simulating the earth's climate with computer models say that there will be no more ice in the Arctic by 2040 unless current greenhouse gases are significantly curtailed. From LiveScience:

"We have already witnessed major losses in sea ice, but our research suggests that the decrease over the next few decades could be far more dramatic than anything that has happened so far," Holland said. "These changes are surprisingly rapid."

However, the future of the Arctic doesn't have to be so grim: running simulations with less greenhouse gases, the researchers found that the summer sea ice melted at a much slower rate.

"Our research indicates that society can still minimize the impacts on Arctic ice," Holland said.