Melting sea ice in the Canadian Arctic is paradoxically making shipping routes more hazardous due to the movement of centuries-old thick ice, according to recent research.
Melting thinner ice is releasing thick, old ice, creating choke points in the Northwest Passage.
The study, reflecting actual ship traffic from 2007-2021, shows increased risk on key routes, despite longer shipping seasons in some areas.
Local coastal communities face increased food and supply costs due to shortened shipping seasons and reliance on costly airlifts.
Key quote:
"It's true that the Arctic sea ice in general is showing significant retreat and melting, and will continue to do so, but our new study shows that it's not a simple story."
— Alison Cook, Scottish Association for Marine Science
Why this matters:
Thick ice obstructing Arctic shipping routes poses economic and logistical challenges for coastal communities, increasing their dependence on expensive airlifts. Additionally, this complicates future plans for using the Northwest Passage as a reliable trade route, affecting global shipping logistics.
The Arctic is turning increasingly foggy, driven by climate change. A recent study looked at Arctic weather records from 1979 to 2018 and found the seas have been growing foggier, especially near newly open areas of water.
Pierre Poilievre is eyeing the Port of Churchill as a way to increase fossil fuel exports. Here’s what you need to know about the complicated reality of his plan.
China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative aims to link much of the world through road, rail, and maritime networks, including ice-free routes through the Arctic.
