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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Melting Ice Opens Arctic to Trade, But US Lags

Climate change opens north to shipping, tourism, resource development

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(Newser) – Climate change is melting away the main barrier to business in the Arctic—ice—but the US lags behind other countries seeking to exploit the region, the Anchorage Daily News reports. As receding ice opens the area to shipping, resource exploitation, and tourism, it's Russia and Canada who have established transport rules and studied the ocean floor. "It's like the new Strait of Gibraltar," says a Coast Guard captain of the Bering Strait.

"As the ice retreats, the people advance," says Capt. Michael Terminel, whose company builds Arctic ships. "We just don't know what's there." Which may be the rub: While one German company recently cut 3,300 nautical miles off a voyage by traveling through the Arctic, and avoiding the Suez Canal, unpredictable weather and remaining ice could ultimately scare off shipping companies.

The Arctic Ocean gave up tens of thousands more square miles of ice Sunday in a relentless summer of melt, as scientists watched through satellite eyes for a possible record low polar ice cap.
The Arctic Ocean gave up tens of thousands more square miles of ice Sunday in a relentless summer of melt, as scientists watched through satellite eyes for a possible record low polar ice cap.   (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The midnight sun shines on the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Louis S. St-Laurent near Resolute Bay, Canada Saturday, July 12, 2008.
The midnight sun shines on the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Louis S. St-Laurent near Resolute Bay, Canada Saturday, July 12, 2008.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jonathan Hayward)
A giant glacier is seen making its way to the waters of Croaker Bay on Devon Island. Arctic sea ice is melting so fast most of it could be gone in 30 years.
A giant glacier is seen making its way to the waters of Croaker Bay on Devon Island. Arctic sea ice is melting so fast most of it could be gone in 30 years.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jonathan Hayward, File)
In this Aug. 24, 2009 picture provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy breaks ice ahead of the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent in the Arctic Ocean.
In this Aug. 24, 2009 picture provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy breaks ice ahead of the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent in the Arctic Ocean.   (AP Photo/U.S. Coast Guard, Petty Officer Patrick Kelley)
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10 comments
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Reader64481089
Sep 6, 09 7:15 PM CDT
Let's see, we are lagging in Medicine, and shipping, the late great USA, thanks GW for flushing her down the toilet so you could grow more wealthy Reply
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
piyrwq
Sep 6, 09 7:40 PM CDT
But the tax breaks! you musn't forget how awesome the tax breaks were. I'm just rolling in trickle down dough. hmmm it feels soooo good.
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
IN RESPONSE:
godawgs
Sep 6, 09 11:06 PM CDT
@reader kiss my ass, the left wing and their environmental nuts are the ones that kept us from looking into stuff like this, gotta make sure we don't affect some bugs natural habit. go hug a tree.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
godawgs
Sep 6, 09 11:07 PM CDT
@ply yeah how is that tax break for 95% of the country working out, you find a way to spend that $7 yet? give me a break.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
Reader64481089
Sep 7, 09 11:25 AM CDT
@ godawgs, to coin an old phrase....mark off a few acres your all a$$ bud and you didn't clean to well last few trips from the smell of things
Vote up! Vote down!
+2

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