On trip to Greenland, Sen. King finds effect of climate change ‘amazing and scary’

[jpak]

Source: Portland Press Hearald

Maine’s U.S. Sen. Angus King returned from a fact-finding trip to Greenland on Thursday determined to push for more icebreakers to clear emerging Arctic trade routes, some of which could be built in Maine.

The United States has only one working heavy icebreaker capable of clearing shipping lanes through Arctic waters as the ice sheet there melts, while Russia has at least a dozen, King said. Icebreaking abilities are essential in a warming world, he said.

Arctic trade could play a big role in the Maine economy, with Maine ports being the first ones reached by ships traveling east through the Northwest Passage, King said. So icebreaking is important to the state’s economic future, as well as America’s, he said.

President Obama has set aside money for another heavy icebreaker to be built in the future, but by the time it is done, the existing ship will probably need to be retired, still leaving the United States with just one, King said.

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Read more: http://www.pressherald.com/2016/08/25/on-fact-finding-trip-to-greenland-sen-angus-king-finds-effect-of-climate-change-amazing-and-scary/

[Gman]

1. The Northwest Passage was always referred to as "fabled"

Now it's real.

[marybourg]

2. Remember when the Publicans told us:

"We each know how we want to spend our own money", when taxes were an issue.

I guess no-one wanted to spend his own money on an icebreaker.

[eppur_se_muova]

3. Damn, I was hoping it was that OTHER King -- he's a Rep., not a Senator. nt

[YOHABLO]

4. So they're more worried about icebreakers for trade routes than the fact the ice is melting?

I mean is anyone else getting this? Who do they intend to trade with. Oh, that would be Russia.

[Judi Lynn]

5. It made me sick, too. Unbelievable. n/t

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. No, with China and other East Asian countries

That's what the North West Passage has always been aimed at - at first from Europe, and later from the North American Atlantic coast.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

6. Looking for more work for BIW it seems n/t

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. Russia has about 6 times as much Arctic coastline as the USA

So it's not that surprising they have a lot more icebreakers. Maybe it would be a good idea for the USA to have 2.

[dembotoz]

9. while we fight climate change we must be pragmatic about the change already taken place

humans are still around because we tend to adapt.

Long term....don't invest in florida real estate.....and build ice breakers

and thousands of other changes...we screwed the pooch and we need to figure out our next step