Sea Ice News Volume 3 number 12 – has Arctic sea ice started to turn the corner?

From tjfolkerts on September 11, 2012 at 1:20 pm:

TSI is not a major factor in climate, since TSI hardly changes (as noted in the quote you gave). However, the DISTRIBUTION of insolation DOES matter — and several thousand years ago the North Pole got more summer sun and hence would be expected to have less summer ice.

Arctic Circle:

The position of the Arctic Circle is not fixed, but directly depends on the Earth’s axial tilt, which fluctuates within a margin of 2° over a 40,000 year period,[2] notably due to tidal forces resulting from the orbit of the Moon. The Arctic Circle is currently drifting northwards at a speed of about 15 m (49 ft) per year; see Circle of latitude for more information.

So since the Arctic Circle is currently heading northward, the North Pole (the Arctic) is getting more summer sun, hence it is expected to have less summer ice.
Good point, Tim, thanks for bringing it up.