[lmilcin]

I think the main problem here is not necessarily the actual extent of the ice but rather rapid change and how we, people, are dependant on particular climate in particular parts of our planet.

We are all dependant on very fragile balance of various mechanisms that we do not fully understand.

For example, European climate depends very much on the mass of warm water transported by Gulfstream. Europe would be basically north Canada if not for all that warm water and precipitation that comes with it. But we also know that this stream itself depends on the water cooling up north and sinking to complete the cycle. If the water can't cool the cycle will be broken and Europe may suddenly change the climate dramatically at an astonishing rate.

I am not worried about plant and animal life -- these will migrate or adapt. Nature has always found a way in the past.

What I am worried is human toll, masses of people affected by rapid climate change that are unable to fend for themselves.