Climate Change opens Northeast Passage through Arctic
Climate change has warmed the Arctic Ocean opening the fabled Northeast Passage. Two German ships became the first to make the journey going from South Korea to Holland. The merchant ships MV Beluga Fraternity and MV Beluga Foresight arrived this week in Yamburg, Siberia and will continue on the Holland. Making the Northeast Passage cut 30% off the traditional voyage saving fuel and 10 days travel time.
Scientists report that the Arctic Ocean ice cap has been shrinking to unprecedented levels in recent summers, because of global warming, opening up many passages through the Arctic. "We are seeing an expression of climate change here," said Mark Serreze, director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Colorado. "The Arctic is warming; we're losing the sea ice cover. The more frequent opening of that Northeast Passage is part of the process we're seeing."
A new study has determined that the release of greenhouse gases jumped by the biggest amount on record. These gases are root cause of global warming.
Arctic Sea ice melted this summer to the second lowest level since record-keeping began more than 50 years ago
The protective ozone layer in the Arctic that keeps out the sun's most damaging rays, ultraviolet radiation, has thinned about 40% percent this winter, a record drop.
A rapidly warming climate is reshaping Denali, Kenai Fjords and other national parks comprising the crown jewels of Alaska's heritage as America's last frontier.
A United Nations program under debate at the climate change conference in Cancun could help millions who live in the world's forests earn more while slowing the deforestation that accounts for 20% of the carbon dioxide emissions