Melting sea ice is negatively impacting Canadian Arctic shipping routes: study

Predictions that the melting of ice due to climate change will improve shipping routes in the Canadian Arctic are being complicated by the fact that thick sea ice is flowing into the Northwest Passage, according to new research. The entire passage was almost ice-free during summer 2007, leading to hopes the northern section could become routinely accessible. However, the new study found that the safe shipping season has actually declined along key “choke points”, particularly on the northern route. The scientists believe that the shorter seasons are primarily due to an increase in thicker sea ice flowing from an area north of Greenland known as the Last Ice Area. (New Scientist)