Arctic ice set to hit another record low

The Arctic ice is a kind of temperature gauge for the global climate, and U.S. measurements this summer show that the ice is now at its second lowest level since the beginning of the satellite measurements of the ice fields began.

The National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) in Boulder, in the U.S. state of Colorado, reported on Wednesday the ice was in decline down to 2.03 million sq miles down from its previous second worst figure of 2.05 million sq recorded in 2005.

The record low was in September 2007 with a figure of 1.59 million sq.

If the melting ice continues at the same, predicted rate until September this year a new low record would be set before the winter freeze sets in again.

The Arctic ice is considered an important indicator of climate change.

Since 1979 it has suffered a continuous shrinking of the total area.

Although reformed in the winter there is not sufficient ice to meet the strong losses during the summer months offset.

Scientists say that it is not a matter of if the record low is broken again this year, more important is a clear and persistent trend towards less and less summer arctic ice.