Ecological
Impact
For 30 years now, we observe the Arctic closely from space. On
August 21st, 2007 the European Space Agency established the
largest decline of pack ice n the area, opening the Northwest
Passage and allowing a fast connection between Asia and Europe.
The Northeast Passage however remains partially blocked.
The possible navigation of the Passage by freighters, tankers
and other large vessels can have frightening consequences to the
marine environment, land and Polar wildlife, namely:
- The risk that the Northwest Passage could become the highway
of choice for vessels of four corners of the world
- The risk that the Northwest Passage does not impose any
limitation on size of vessels in contrast to the Suez Canal and
Panama ending up with boats even bigger and potentially more
serious pollution accidents
- The danger of being trapped by forming ice in the autumn could
make the use of nuclear or diesel icebreakers necessary with all
its inherit dangers
- The danger of collision with icebergs or drifting ice: their
shells may burst, releasing oil or other toxic chemicals
directly into the ocean with serious risk of pollution of the
marine fauna
- The risk of having to control, monitor and guide these marine
behemoths will cause the emergence of new human settlements
along the course, disfiguring an almost uninhabited region and
seriously damaging its fragile ecosystem
- The risk of disturbing lives of isolated tribes Inuit …
- The risk of military or legal or economical disputes - states
involved still to define the legitimacy or otherwise of this
passage and its security - waterway outside of Canada or
international bodies
- The danger that vessels may invade protected areas and
reserved for whales, seals, polar bears… etc…