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Melting Ice Opens Arctic to Trade, But US Lags

Climate change opens north to shipping, tourism, resource development

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 6, 2009 5:34 PM CDT

(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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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
SilenceDogood
Sep 7, 2009 12:52 PM CDT
Regardless how much Al Gore has influenced the weak minded in our society; the truth is we do not know with certainty what changes are occurring in our climate. A good read is http://www.larouchepub.com/eiw... What people conveniently forget to discuss is the mini- ice age in the 16th to 19th century. If we are oil burning lunatic humans are responsible for the current warming trend, then who was responsible for the cooling trend of the mini-ice age? It must follow logically that if humans are the only factor that can cause change, then who caused the 16th century cooling? If we say we do not know, or that the earth simply cooled on it’s own, or there are factors we do not understand; then we are also stating that the conclusion that mankind is causing this current warming trend is flawed also.
piyrwq
Sep 7, 2009 12:40 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.
godawgs
Sep 7, 2009 4:07 AM 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.

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