2007 saw a record in the loss of sea ice at Earth's northern pole. Earlier this year, observers, such as the U. S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) put out word that 2008 would not see the same or worse level of detioriation. However, all that has changed - the fundamental change in our climate is now worsening at an accelerating pace. http://www.canada.com/...
The most striking quote in the article, though, comes at the very end - which (apologies in advance for the poor pun) I found chilling. Read this and ponder the implications:
Last week, during a visit to Alaska, U.S. Coast Guard commander Admiral Thad Allen revealed U.S. plans to recast its foreign policy in the Arctic from a focus on scientific research to "sovereignty" and "security presence."
Some rambling thoughts on the ramifications below.
The most obvious implication is that the Earth as we knew it will soon be no more. I have been trying to keep up with the data as it came in this summer and the rapidly changing scientific publications and evaluations of what the future will look like. Occasionally, admidst all the dry language and statistical variances based on mean variances from extrapolated ice core date comes a picture of the future - and while it is beautiful - the idea that this is the North Pole, is well, firghtening: Click on the picture embedded in the Ottawa Citizen story for a glimpse of our new polar non-ice cap.
Now, think about Admiral Allen's ominous comment regarding foreign policy. The arctic is no longer the focus of research - it is a place where foreign policy concerns extend to "sovereignity"?? Are there other countries with potential claims to sovereignity? It turns out that there are five nations with borders on the arctic - including a sweet and lovable polar bear - Russia.
While I am not entirely sure why Russia is expressing so much interest in Atlanta - I see to have seen something lately in the news about Vladimir Putin wanting to spend some time in Georgia - it seems beyond much dispute that in the foreign policy councils of the serious and somber thinkers - that staking a claim to polar exploitation is no longer a matter of conjecture or modeling - it has arrived.
So - while our attention is focused on much weightier matters - after all there is a sex scandal in the news, and I hear Brittany is preparing a position paper - a new cold war has already ignited - brought on by global warming. I suppose I should have a deeper appreciation for the irony involved - but somehow the prospect of a militarized North Pole does not engender alot of chuckles.