Arctic Ocean may open to regular shipping by 2017

[Newsjock]

Source: CBC News

The Arctic Ocean could open for regular commercial shipping within the next five to 10 years, according to a Canadian polar scientist who conducted research for the International Polar Year Conference.

But while that may sound like welcome news for intercontinental commerce, the changing ice conditions could bring new hazards to ships plying the polar seas.

"Just because you're reducing the ice like that, one of the things we found was that you increase the speed at which this ice moves," said Dr. David Barber, the lead scientist on the Circumpolar Flaw Lead (CFL) System Study.

... In short, the Arctic coast is becoming more like the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. It is turning into a maritime climate that is stormy and largely ice-free during the winter.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2012/04/23/max-paris-ipy.html

[fascisthunter]

1. Less Reflection of Sun Rays, more Evaporation

more moisture for storms... and who knows what other repercussions. But hey! The fossil fuel industry that helped start this ball rolling, seems to be thumbs up.

[shimonitanegi]

2. what about polar bears

I am very worried about them.

[rustydog]

3. The famed Northwest passage about to come true