As the summer sea ice loss hit yet another record this year, the Arctic continued the warming process, the latest report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration revealed. The changes are obvious, and one example of that is the surface ice of Greenland.

The Arctic is suffering from fast and dramatic changes, and that reflects in a domino effect in the region, more clearly here than in any other place, James Overland, oceanographer at NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory in Seattle and lead author of the report noted.

The report revealed that the temperatures for this autumn are at a record 5 degrees C (9 degrees F) above normal, a consequence of the massive loss of ice in the past years. Ice loss also means a greater ocean surface receiving sun heat; this means the warmer the ocean, the warmer the air, and the bigger the loss of winter sea ice, and of course, disastrous effects on wildlife here.

NOAA’s Arctic Report Card, which monitors the changing conditions in the region, red-flagged three of six Arctic areas: the atmosphere, the sea ice and Greenland, while the other three – the biology, ocean and land – have been flagged yellow. Greenland was flagged yellow in 2007.

In August this year, the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) reported that the sea ice levels have dropped below the 2005 minimum, and that the meltdown tendency will continue.

NASA reported in March this year that its satellite observations have shown an increase in sea ice in the beginning of the year, but only due to weather conditions. At the same time, they reported the perennial sea ice continued to shrink, as a consequence of global warming.

NOAA’s latest report reveals a dramatic situation getting even worse, and raises alarm signals on what should be done in order to prevent the Arctic region from becoming a giant pool.