WP Page A1: Melting Arctic Makes Way for Man

[Pirate Smile]

The Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Amundsen met a plate of "new ice" on the Northwest Passage, but it was easily traversed. Douglas Struck - The Washington Post

Melting Arctic Makes Way for Man
Researchers Aboard Icebreaker Say Shipping Could Add to Risks for Ecosystem

By Doug Struck
Washington Post Foreign Service
Sunday, November 5, 2006; Page A01

ICEBREAKER CHANNEL, Northwest Passage -- The Amundsen's engines growl low, as if in warning. The ship steals ahead; its powerful spotlights stab at fog thick with the lore of crushed ships and frozen voyagers. Ice floes gleam from the void like the eyes of animals in the night.

The Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Amundsen weaves in graceful slow motion through the ice pack, advancing through the legendary Northwest Passage well after the Arctic should be iced over and shuttered to ships for the winter.

The fearsome ice is weakened and failing, sapped by climate change. Ultimately, this night's ghostly procession through Icebreaker Channel will be the worst the ship faces on its late-season voyage. Much of the trip, crossing North America from west to east through the Northwest Passage, will be in open water, with no ice in sight.

The Amundsen is here to challenge the ice that has long guarded the legendary Northwest Passage across the roof of the Earth, and to plumb the scientific mysteries of an Arctic thawing from global warming.
A relentless climb of temperature -- 5 degrees in 30 years -- is shrinking the Arctic ice and reawakening dreams of a 4,000-mile shortcut just shy of the North Pole, passing beside the Arctic's beckoning oil and mineral riches.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/04/AR2006110401173.html

On the right side of the page at the link a video to watch on the topic - "VIDEO | Scientists aboard the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Amundsen discuss the effect that global warming has had on the legendary Northwest Passage. "

[angry_chuck]

1. is this an attempt to

make people think global warming will be a good thing?

"Reawakening dreams of a 4,000-mile shortcut just shy of the North Pole, passing beside the Arctic's beckoning oil and mineral riches"

Easy and Money, two words Americans like to hear.

[Theduckno2]

2. George Bush promised there would be new opportunities,

unless of course if you are a polar bear. :sarcasm:

Welcome to the DU. :hi:

[Amonester]

3. Katrina and underwater.

Two words the Reptilian $hill$ refuse to warn readers about.