Melting Could Open Northwest Passage

Melting Arctic ice is expected to open up the legendary Northwest Passage, a 4,000-mile shortcut across the top of North America through previously frozen seas, which could save ships tremendous amounts of time and money. At the rate the Arctic ice is melting, scientists predict the Northwest Passage could open as early as 2015. When the passage begins to clear, ships will take advantage and use it. This is where the danger lies. Floating ice, which is most commonly known as ice bergs, can cripple or destroy a ship. This damage would also lead to oil spills, shipwrecks and other environmental catastrophes. Although most shipping companies wouldn’t take the chance until the risk of ice bergs are low, “there is always someone who rolls the dice.”
Global warming isn’t something we’re worried people aren’t listen to anymore. It’s already here. The U.S. and Canada have recently been arguing over who has jurisdiction over the waters. Canada Clearly owns the passage but the U.S. believes that it is an international shipping lane and should be open to all navigation.
”Canada's claim is weakened by its lack of resources to patrol and manage the passage. Currently, there are no Canadian icebreakers that can make the journey during winter, no search-and-rescue helicopters stationed in the area, no military unit that can deploy quickly in the Arctic, and no submarine capable of traveling under the polar ice cap. Canada has promised to build three new icebreakers and to construct a deep water port at Iqaluit, the capital of the Canadian territory of Nunavut, but none of those projects have been funded.”
When and if foreign ships begin using the Northwest Passage, Canada will lose its jurisdictional claim. And for now, the only thing stopping ships from making the journey is the melting ice. "If a foreign vessel wanted to come through here right now, it could. It's a big welcome mat for all the fly-by-night companies."