Source: Physical Sciences Professor Scott Mandia's presentation, "What Does Climate Change Mean for New York" at Suffolk Community College on Saturday, April 28, 2012.  

Notes: Scott Mandia went on to inform his audience: 

"Arctic sea ice is melting and this is the volume of sea ice.  Most of the time on the news you will hear and see pictures of the extent of the sea ice, which is how much ice is truly extending out from the pole.  However, that does not tell the whole story.  What is also important is the thickness of the ice.  

"The thickness of the Arctic sea ice is rapidly decreasing.  Over the past several years it has been over two standard deviations away from the average.  This is significant.  This is a big change from what is normal.  Although there are wiggles on (the Arctic sea ice thickness graphs), this is a clear downward spike.  Some scientists actually call it 'The Arctic Death Spiral.'  There are estimates that perhaps by the 2030s, maybe 2040s, that the entire North Pole will be open water during the summer.  There will not be any ice at all.  

"One of the complications is Santa Claus's workshop is at the North Pole, so he going to have to adapt.  It is going to cost him money, so probably a few less gifts under the Christmas tree for all of us."