On the basis of a comprehensive analysis of ancient pieces of driftwood in north Greenland, Danish researchers have reported in the journal Science that the present concerns over a ‘tipping point’ in the disappearance of Arctic sea ice appear to be misplaced.

Noting that the analysis of ancient pieces of driftwood in north Greenland is a precise way for measuring the extent of ancient ice loss, the research team cited evidence that ice levels were approximately 50 percent lower 5,000 years back.

To elaborate that a tipping point under existing scenarios is unlikely, the researchers – led by Dr Svend Funder from the Natural History Museum, Denmark – said that analyzing ancient driftwood gives a clear picture of the ice loss dating back 11,000 years.

As per the researchers, driftwood takes several years to ferry across the ocean on ice, and is thus a signal of multi-year sea ice --- the ice which is at risk at the moment.

Claiming that their data reveals a clear connection between temperature and the amount of sea ice, the researchers said that for nearly 3,000 years - during a period called the Holocene Climate Optimum -, there was more open water and much lesser amount of ice than today --- probably less then one-half of the minimum Arctic sea ice recorded in 2007.

Reiterating that the sea ice will not reach a point of no return, Funder said: “I think we can say that with the loss of 50% of the current ice, the tipping point wasn't reached.”