Tipping Point in the Making???

Arctic sea ice is now at its lowest WINTER extent in satellite recorded history. This means there is more dark ocean to absorb solar radiation, and less sea ice to reflect solar radiation back into space. Will this lead to the lowest arctic sea ice extent ever by the end of summer 2011?

Additionally, will this continue on for several years of positive feed-backs to become a major climate change tipping point? It certainly seems to have that potential.

For a Washington Post report on this winter sea ice reduction, click here. The Post article also covers the effects on Polar Bears, such as a significant reduction in body weight since 1980, because the bears have had to spend more time hunting on land, which is less productive than hunting on sea ice.