New predictions
reveal that melting sea ice will allow ice-strengthened vessels to sail
directly through the pole, and regular vessels to take the 'northern sea route.
The melting process could considerably reduce the costs of trade between Europe
and China but in the result of this it may pose new economic, strategic and
environmental challenges for governments. The dramatic reduction in the thickness and extent of late summer sea ice
that has taken place in each of the last seven years has already made it
possible for some ice-strengthened ships to travel across the north of Russia
via the "northern sea route". According to shippers, last year a
total of 46 ships made the trans-Artic passage. By 2050,
says Laurence C. Smith and Scott R. Stephenson at the University of California in the PNAS journal on Monday, ordinary vessels should be able
to travel easily along the northern sea route, and ice-strengthened ships
should be able to take the shortest possible route between the Pacific and
Atlantic Oceans, passing over the
pole itself. The hope is that the best time would be in September, when the annual
sea ice levels cover in
the Arctic Ocean is at its lowest. The northern sea route has shown to save a
medium-sized bulk carrier around 18 days and 580 tons of bunker fuel on a
journey between northern Norway and China. Ship owners believe that it can save
them €180,000-€300,000 on average, each voyage. A direct route over the pole
could save up to 40% more fuel and time.
Though in recent articles I have posted the effects of
climate change and global warming can be detrimental to future life for wildlife,
vegetation and humans it does not mean that wont bear a few merits. The melting of the pole
will most certainly mean higher sea levels around the world but in this
potential eminent outcome trade could increase at a cheaper rate extending
imported goods at a cheaper price for consumption. It appears that not only
technology can have an effect on globalization but also the depletion of the
environment. As we have learned in class globalization opened doors and
opportunities for many countries, this may be one of many good things that
could come out of climate change. Time will tell.
Christopher Roberts
6 March 2013
20:46
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