The explanations cited in the article seem to be cherry-picked to point towards the worst scenario.
"The weight of that excess snow pushes sheets of sea ice down into the water, causing more water to freeze. "
Pushing the ice underwater could just as easily cause more sea ice to melt.
"Four of the continent's largest glaciers (whose fates are largely unrelated to that of sea ice) are retreating rapidly, and researchers blame increases in ocean temperature."
If increased ocean temp is melting the glacier why isn't it also melting the sea ice?
Also, faster melting at the glacier/ocean interface shouldn't speed up the movement of the glacier (its speed should be based on the friction with the land underneath the glacier.)
Maybe there's less snow inland because the increased area of sea ice effectively moves the open water (ie source of moisture) farther from the land. Perhaps the precipitation falls on the sea ice before it reaches the land and there's less left to fall on mountains and glaciers.
"The situation on the globe's roof seems truly dire; despite the fact that last year's Arctic winter was unusually frigid, the region's sea ice continues to deteriorate. "
Temp goes up, ice disappears. Temp goes down, ice disappears. If temperature isn't a factor, what is? Are the polar bears eating the ice?
