This year, the Arctic sea ice level might just break the record set only last September, since scientists have stated, after studying satellite images, that the graph describing Arctic ice extent shows a quick slide downwards.

The ice-covered surface is now 2 million square miles, a figure below the average for September and, given that ice normally reaches its lowest level in mid-September, researchers fear that witnessing a new minimum in the next few weeks is highly possible.

And, irrespective of whether this will occur or not, one thing is crystal clear. The side-effects of this meltdown are already visible to the naked eye.

A federal aerial survey discovered 9 polar bears swimming in Chukchi Sea, Alaska, approximately 60 miles from shore. World Wildlife Fund director for Alaska, Margaret Williams, explained that "It is very unusual to see so many bears in the open water at one time during a short flight period. It's very worrisome. It's what we had anticipated, but it's happening right before our eyes," The Washington Post informs.

To fully understand the true measure of this event, it must be noted that, during 1987 and 2003, federal scientists found a total of 12 polar bears swimming in the open ocean.

Furthermore, the more sensitive issue is that these polar bears cannot be rescued by researchers, since tranquilizing them would mean causing them to drown.

And, even though one might hope, there is no silver lining to this dark cloud. A couple of weeks ago, the federal Climate Change Science Program delivered a "synthesis and assessment" report about global warming effects in the Arctic and northern latitudes, which states that “sustained changes in sea-ice coverage may cause perhaps the largest temperature changes observed on the planet."

Still, the question is: will this be a milestone for our planet or the very exit from an already slippery highway lane?