Reply #4: CNN was almost as bad...

[Junkdrawer]

CNN) -- Warming in the Arctic has reduced sea ice to its lowest recorded level, opening up the Northwest Passage, a long-sought shortcut between Europe and Asia, according to new satellite images.

The aerial images released by the European Space Agency shows ice at its lowest level since measurements began 30 years ago -- an "extreme" drop, experts say.

"We have seen the ice-covered area drop to just around 3 million square kilometers, which is about 1 million less than the previous minima of 2005 and 2006," Leif Toudal Pedersen from the Danish National Space Center said on ESA's Web site.

....

A permanent navigable route through the Northwest passage has been the goal of explorers for centuries, offering a swift maritime trade route between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

The route was first navigated by Roald Amundsen early last century, sea ice has generally rendered it too dangerous.

The opening up of the passage could cause international friction over the sea routes with U.S. and European Union disputing Canada's claim to the waters.


http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/09/15/arctic.nwestpssg/