Ice melts through Northwest Passage

[lovuian]

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=282356

The European Space Agency says the passage that links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Canadian Arctic is breaking up, raising concerns about global warming.

After being ice-bound through history, the most direct route through the Northwest Passage has opened up completely for the first time since records began.

The ice-covered area has dropped to around 3m square kilometres.
more...

take a cruise through the famed Northwest passage
Northwest Passage Cruises
I can see it now

Global Warming is a fact

[upi402]

1. I hate Republicans

I never used to hate. I guess the lethargic, apathetic masses deserve to burn for this too in a way. But the media is culpable for the betrayal of not only democracy, but of life on earth -therefore life itself.


(i feel better now... NOT!)

[whoneedstickets]

2. This is great! We can ship ANWR oil via tanker!

:sarcasm:

[lovuian]

3. that was the plan

the poor polar bears
Life on this planet is changing NOW

[sandnsea]

6. That's already been proposed

"Last year, scientists found tantalizing hints of oil in seabed samples just 200 miles from the North Pole. All told, one quarter of the world's undiscovered oil and gas resources lies in the Arctic, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The polar thaw is also starting to unlock other treasures: lucrative shipping routes, perhaps even the storied Northwest Passage; new cruise ship destinations; and important commercial fisheries."


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/10/science/10arctic.html?ex=1286596800&en=1f4059714b781260&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

[BrotherBuzz]

4. Should I use my blue felt tip marker to correct my globe?

:shrug:

[banana republican]

5. Looks like a great cruse...... nt

[intaglio]

7. Spells a lot of trouble

In the long and medium terms for the world

In the short term? Panama will find the canal less used as ships will be able to avoid the tolls for one or two or more months. This will ruin Panama's economy. Shipping companies will be happier to have ships larger than the PanaMax making the inevitable disaters even more disasterous to the environment.

/edit for personal note

It will mean that my sister and her husband will be able to avoid Panama ;) and save money when they sail their self build yacht to the Pacific!