Open Tech Today - Top Stories

Monday, September 01, 2008

Captain Cook Meet Global Warming

The great navigators of the Age of Explorers were a bit early in their quest to traverse the famed Northwest Passage linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. What a difference 500 years makes. What a difference global warming makes.

For perhaps the first time in recorded human history, arctic ice around the North Pole has melted clearing not only a Northwest Passage but also a Northeast Passage.

The North-West Passage (circled left) and the North-East Passage (top right) are both clear of ice now, as shown in satellite photos.

It is an historic event.

But is the world without a North Pole a good thing? Shipping companies and ExxonMobil may love the idea. Climate change scientists are wary.



Polar bears are less enthusiastic, some now facing a 400-mile swim for survival.


And for the rest of us? Is this really such good news?

Categories: GlobalWarming

3 comments:

Slickgonzalez@gmail.com said...

Jeff-

This doesn't pertain to your blog, but I don't know how else to reach you.

I saw a comment that you made on another blog about The Blue Riddim Band and how you're searching for some of their music. I have a soundboard recording of them from 1986 in Charlotte NC if you are interested. The sound is perfect and the band played flawlessly. Email me and I will hook you up!

Jacklaster@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Jeff - saw your post on a reggae music site, about Blue Riddim Band and how you lost your copies.
Are you in need of any of their music?
Let me know, maybe I can help you out.
Jon

engines said...

Global warming is pretty scary stuff if you ask me. I'm no scientist, I just work on engines for a living, but with all the shifts in the weather, I believe we are going to keep seeing more natural disasters. I live in Florida so I expect to see more hurricanes. Last year my engine shop got flooded.