Arctic Ice

I just read a news story about how the ice coverage in the arctic has receded to record lows. The ice has withdrawn to 1 million square miles, with the previous low being 1.5 million square miles in 2005. As a result, ships now have the ability to sail trough the Northwest passage which has always been blocked by ice. This route could shorten the trip for boats from Europe to Asia by thousands of miles, and it is a route that “explorers and traders have long dreamt could open fully”. This passage is also potentially oil-rich, and with its opening, many country are trying to claim it. I believe that this is totally the wrong reaction. Many experts believe that global warming is the cause for the melting ice, and I agree. I think that instead of focusing on how this path will help them, these governments should be looking at why this area is opening up. It seems like they are only concerned about being in control of it rather than trying to fix a very real problem.