Implications of Artic ice sheet melting completely this summer?

Question

I just saw a report where scientists are reporting that the Artic ice sheet could completely melt by this summer. . .http://www.propeller.com/viewstory/2008/06/26/exclusive-no-ice-at-the-north-pole/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Fenvironment%2Fclimate-change%2Fexclusive-no-ice-at-the-north-pole-855406.html&frame=true

This scares me, as earlier reports predicted it might happen by 2050 (40 years from now). Does this mean that global temperatures have already increased more than we predicted, I thought it was something like .6 to 1 degrees C? Also, does this mean that future warming will happen more quickly than we expected? Thank you everyone for your help!

Answer 1

The major short-term implications include improved access to the Arctic meaning better fishing, faster shipping, but more dangerous over-ice transportation.

Over the long-term this will decrease the albedo of the Arctic Ocean, which will only accelerate melting. It also means loss of habitat for ice-dependent animals. Additionally, it might lower the salinity of the upper layers of the ocean, which might have some bad side effects. Most arctic marine species will be pushed northward.

The melting sea ice itself will not raise sea levels, though thermal expansion of water and melting land ice will.

Also, notice how the climate change denier "idiot detector" failed to address the question.

Answer 2

It means that most projections jumped on the political bandwagon and have ignored (intentionally?) much of the real and complete scientific data.  They choose to report only on the stuff that supports their theory.  They chose to ignore the volcanics because that negates a large part of the "man is the cause" politics.

It just shows that the world and climate are much more complex than the political pseudo-scientists would want you to know or believe because it doesn't further their political agenda.  

Ask what else they have NOT been fully disclosing.

added comment --

Ask onelifeisenough if he is as gullible in every aspect of life as he appears to be...if man were the cause of global warming, how did the globe go through several ice ages?  And I did answer the question as meaningfully as his propaganda did.