Most experts now agree that the polar summer ice is beyond the point of return, and consequences will be profound, including significant changes in weather patterns for the U.S. and other countries in the northern hemisphere.

Already stressed from continuing loss of habitat to humans -- about 6,000 more acres every day -- the extreme drought this year has crippled its reproduction and survival, further decreasing numbers. This thing of beauty might not be a joy forever....

Bad US Policy Boosts Climate Change on US Megafarms, says policy expert Mark Hertgaard at the New York Times, by skewing subsidies towards a few commodity crops that use vast amounts of fossil fuel.

The National Snow and Ice Data center reports that the Arctic ice hit a record new low recently.