In 2003 the IPCC issued a report that summer sea-ice levels in the Arctic would be reduced to 50% by the end of the 21st Century as a result of climate change. Observations since 2007 show that this estimate is outdated to the point that today estimates show that the Arctic Sea will be virtually ice free in summer by the mid 2020’s. Research is underway to understand how this rapid change could come about but linked with the research is a project, Cape Farewell, which undertakes science in the Arctic alongside internationally renowned artists, musicians and writers.