RSSResources will determine Arctic traffic
Nov
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Melting ice ( thechronicleherald.ca) might make it easier sailing, but ships won’t go just because they can
Mineral exploration and development will drive increases in Arctic shipping, says a senior official with Transport Canada.
With scientific evidence that Arctic ice is melting at an increasingly fast rate, attributed in large part to global warming, there has been discussion in the marine industry that moving cargo from Europe to Asia through Arctic waters is a real possibility. more »
Gazprom, the world’s third largest corporation and biggest gas extractor is contemplating whether or not invite other gas bigwigs to join them in the development of the Arctic gas project. Two of the companies that have made it onto Gazprom’s short list are Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips, which are counted among the Unites States’ largest gas companies. But it is not just American companies that are hoping to get in on the project. French oil company Total SA and Royal Dutch Shell PLC are also on the short list of companies the Russian gas mogul is considering bringing in on its future Arctic endeavors.
There has been lots of debate over the past ten or so years as to exactly when the Arctic ice caps will be gone. At first it was merely a “what if” game played by scientists worldwide. But with the drastic change in our climate over the past few years due to global warming it is no longer a question of “what if” but “when”.
Polar bears have been the subject of major media attention this year, mainly due to the long-term threat to their survival posed by climate change. Recently, a more immediate and avoidable threat has come to the fore – ironically, one that comes from the very people who rely on polar bears the most. It relates to a decision that threatens not only polar bears, but also Canada’s Arctic sovereignty aspirations, and our reputation as strong stewards of the Arctic.