Recent analysis has revealed that the Southern Ocean has increased its speed by 30% in recent years and this will serious consequences for us all.
​It means that the climate models will be underestimating the rate of melting to the ice in Antarctica and the strength of the wind in places like New Zealand will have a higher proportion of strong Westerlies.
This year in particular New Zealand has had a succession of strong westerly winds which has brought flooding to the west coast but also drought to the populated areas in the east.
The technical reasons for the drought are dealt with here. ​http://www.climateoutcome.kiwi.nz/drought.html
The report on the original research is here. 
​https://eos.org/research-spotlights/notorious-ocean-current-is-far-stronger-than-previously-thought#.WIbgaF8rGdU.twitter

When discussing an ice free Arctic we dont need to be too particular about the minimum amount and one million square kilometres would be considered so low that it might just be ice free.
The effect on the weather in the populated regions just South of the Arctic region can be devastating. North America, UK and Europe, Russia and China can all have extreme weather with floods, freezing winters or drought which can put a huge strain on the economies and the lives of the people.
The loss of Arctic ice is the fastest reaction to climate change. There is no waiting for half a century for the ice to melt and sea levels to rise. This is almost instantaneous.