"NASA scientists say that, during the summer, Arctic is absorbing 5 percent more of the sun’s incoming energy than just 15 years ago. The trend coincides with the steady decrease in Arctic sea ice during the same period.

The extra energy is equal to an additional 10-watt light bulb shining continuously over every 10.76 square feet of Arctic Ocean for the entire summer.

The change in the region’s energy balance is happening because ocean water is darker than sea ice and absorbs the sun’s energy at a higher rate. The decline in the region’s reflectivity has been a key concern among scientists since the summer Arctic sea ice cover began shrinking in recent decades."

The Summit County Citizens Voice had the story December 22, 2014. [2]