Melting Arctic Ice Has Consequences

OriginalArlen writes to tell us about some compelling global warming coverage in the Washington Post. First there is an article about a study indicating that melting Arctic ice is threatening polar bears with extinction. The article quotes an environmentalist: "This study is the smoking gun. Skeptics, polluting industries and President Bush can't run away from this one." And the polar melting is opening new shipping lanes. The second article details a trip late in October through the Northwest Passage by a Canadian icebreaker. Never before in history could this trip have been accomplished so late in the year; ice would have choked off the passage. Estimates of when the passage might be navigable by commercial shipping range from 2020 to the end of the century. The indigeneous people are not looking forward to this development.

Re:Hyperbole?

[__aaclcg7560]

Wal-Mart greeters are more dangerous than a hungry polar bear.

This gives the phrase...

[thewiz]

"Baked Alaska" a whole new meaning.

huh???

[krell]

"Wal-Mart greeters are more dangerous than a hungry polar bear."

I know they are usually huge and white, but other than that....?

Sounds good.

[GigsVT]

So .. less man-killing polar bears... and more new trade routes.

Hell, I might go set a few gallons of crude oil on fire just to help out the cause!

Re:Cape Wind project

[RenderSeven]

So speaking of Cape Wind... I couldnt quite make up my mind on which side to back. The economics of the project really did sound questionable without the massive government subsidies, although you cant really trust any numbers from either side. On the other hand, I giggle every time I think of plopping an eyesore onto the Kennedy mansion's horizon. I can believe wind power can provide some percentage of our power needs cost-effectively, but I dont think Nantucket Sound is a cost-effective place. Being only 4 miles offshore, Teddy could still hit one while driving.

Re:Cape Wind project

[kimvette]

Being only 4 miles offshore, Teddy could still hit one while driving.

*snickerfits* Well this certainly clears up the objections he has toward the project. :D

Re:Polar bears

[Hebbinator]

A bear from the Smokey Mountains and a bear from the Arctic are dropped into the water. Which one dissolves first? The one in the arctic, because it is POLAR