NBC News: Arctic is again the hottest it's been in 125 years, with record-low sea ice, NOAA report says.

Dec 16 - The extent of sea ice during its usual maximum in March was the lowest in 47 years of satellite record keeping. The North American tundra was more green with plant life than ever recorded. “The Arctic continues to warm faster than the global average with the last 10 years (being) the 10 warmest years on record,” said Steve Thur, NOAA’s acting chief scientist. As a result of this warming, “melting permafrost is altering ecosystems, turning over 200 watersheds in Arctic Alaska orange as iron and other elements are released into its rivers,” Thur said. Researchers have observed higher acidity and a greater concentration of toxic metals in these rusting streams. More STORY.