We do know that the Arctic ice cap is melting faster than was predicted even five years ago.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Holds a Press Conference

Researchers are using a nuclear submarine to take them beneath the Arctic ice cap to study ocean currents that may have an effect on global climate.

CNN: Nuclear sub dives under the ice to explore climate change

It's the cue for effusive guide Fridjon Thorleifsson to introduce the surrounding Columbia Icefield, a 77-square-mile web of six silvery tentacles between Jasper and Banff, and the largest ice cap south of the Arctic Circle.

BBC: The perfect trip: The Canadian Rockies

Most of Greenland is covered by an ice cap, but the acceleration of Arctic melting is making it easier to tap the territory's resources.

BBC: Greenland rare earths: No special favours for EU

For the past three years, the vast cap of shining-white ice covering the Arctic has melted away in summer to an area that would have been unbelievable just a decade ago.

ECONOMIST: An imminent answer to an Arctic riddle

Using ever fancier technologies, the oil business is drilling in deeper waters, more difficult terrain and even in the Arctic (which, as global warming melts the polar ice cap, will perversely become the next great prize in oil).

ECONOMIST: Why the world is not about to run out of oil

They were objecting to oil exploration in the Arctic territory where they say an oil leak would be difficult to cap.

BBC: Greenland blow for Edinburgh-based Cairn Energy

They spend most of their time on sea ice, this cap of ice that is floating around on the surface of the Arctic Ocean.

CNN: Polar bear now listed as 'threatened' species