Arctic Ice Levels at Record Low, Opening Northwest Passage

For the first time in recorded history, the Northwest Passage is now open and almost completely free of pack ice. Researchers say that sattellite photos show that artic ice is now disappearing at a rate three times greater than in 2005.

According to the European Space Agency, nearly 200 satellite images from the Danish National Space Center (DNSC) indicate that the Arctic ice levels are at an all time low since the first images were taken in 1978. As a result, the Northwest Passage has completely opened up for the first time in recorded history.

The images show that the melting of artic ice has "dramatically increased," more than previously thought, and that by 2030 all of the summer ice could be gone, with the region being completely ice free by 2070. Researchers call an it an "extreme" situation, and say that the ice is now shrinking at a level of about three million square kilometers a year, up from one million in 2005.

"The strong reduction in just one year certainly raises flags that the ice may disappear much sooner than expected," said DNSC spokesman Leif Toudal Pedersen.

The new findings have put Canada and the United States at a standoff, both laying claim to the passage because it could be a valuable resource for the shipping industry. The passage goes through the boundaries of both nations. In 1985 diplomatic relations between the two nations were strained after a U.S. icebreaker navigated the passage without notifying Canadian officials.

As a result, the Canadian military is building two new bases at both ends of the areas they claim to be theirs. There will also be at least six new naval patrol ships built that will be stationed in the passage.

The U.S. claims that regardless of which countries the passage borders, the waterway should be open to anyone who wants to use it.

"We believe it's an international passage," said U.S. President George W. Bush.

Denmark, Norway, and Russia also lay claim to the vast amounts of minerals, natural gas, and oil in the area.

©Copyright 2007 by AlternativeApproaches.com