Arctic Ocean 'will be ice-free within 20 years'

Global warming will leave the Arctic Ocean ice-free during the summer within 20 years, raising sea levels and harming wildlife, a leading British polar scientist said today.

The changes will mean the top of the Earth will appear blue rather than white when photographed from space and ships will have a new sea route north of Russia.

The Catlin Arctic Survey, completed earlier this year by a team led by veteran polar explorer Pen Hadow, is the latest research into the condition of Arctic ice.

Global warming: Veteran polar explorer Pen Hadow and Ann Daniels prepare to swim through thin Arctic ice during their research completed earlier this year