The North Pole has become an island for the first time in human history. Startling satellite pictures taken three days ago show that melting ice has opened up the fabled North-West and North-East Passages - making it possible to sail around the Arctic ice cap. The opening of the passages has been eagerly awaited by shipping companies which hope they will be able to cut thousands of miles off their routes. But to climate change scientists it is yet another sign of the damage global warming is inflicting on the planet. Mark Serreze, a sea ice specialist, described the images as an 'historic event' - but warned they added to fears that the Arctic icecap has entered a 'death spiral'.

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