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NORTHWEST PASSAGE

2.2 Effects of Climate Change

The Northwest is noted for its coastal region and wet season. The Cascade Canyon,

which spans north-south across Northern California, creates significant climate changes on Asian

and European sides. Year-round weather is moderate west of the Alps, with winter months and

warm season. It is often brighter and warmer east of the highlands across the year, with winters

being cooler and summertime being much hotter. The Northwest region is being harmed by

climate change. According to predictions, global temperatures would climb by 1 to 4 feet

through the middle of the century, which might have ramifications for the 140,000 areas of the

territory within 3.3 feet of the tidal cycle. Residents, buildings, and wildlife are at risk of rising

sea levels and heavy rainfall, specifically in low-lying locations. Global warming and the acidity

of the oceans pose a hazard to economically productive aquatic communities and ecosystems.

The changing of the climate in the region has reignited the dispute. With the ice melting

earlier each year and longer periods of open water, previously inaccessible passages become

navigable, making the Northwest Passage a more feasible commercial shipping route.

With this rapid Arctic warming, the Northwest Passage has continuously becoming ice-free for a

longer period of time every year. As the temperature continues to rise as a result of climate

change, it is now declining the sea-ice which opened and allowed research vessels and trades

ships to sail through. Apart from that, the warming of temperature will likely lead to greater oil,

gas, and mineral development. However, this also means an increase of risk of pollution in the

Arctic region as oil spills in ice-covered waters will be more difficult to clean up as strategies for

cleaning up oil spills in ice-covered water have yet to be developed. The effect of climate change

in the Arctic could also pose threat to the endangered species, which may result in the migration

of fish stocks to new waters. Thus, these climate change represent a negative effect when it

comes to a global perspective, but this is beneficial for shipping companies because having an

ice-free Northwest passage make this route profitable. This also allows further exploration for

mineral resources and any other raw materials that can be found through accessing this route

bringing commodities to market.

2.3 Economic Analysis of the Region (Canadian Arctic)

Economic research has mostly focused on predicting economic prospects of increased oil

and mineral extraction, shipping, tourism, and agriculture. The Arctic changes pose a both

negative and positive economic impact on global and even regional levels. Growing industrial

activity in the region is linked to negative environmental consequence. One example is the black

carbon pollution from ships and also an increase chances of oil spills. As the local communities

in the said region thrives for natural resources, the climatic changes bring threats in the

communities. Because Arctic change represents a threat to Arctic people' food and water

security, there is a need for monitoring programs that include quantitative indicators. (Nilsson et

al. 2013)

Increased marine shipping infrastructure is likely to induce resource development. As

mentioned, one of the most significant challenges for resource economics in the Canadian Arctic

is its harsh climate, ocean-bound ice, and remote nature. The costs and challenges of transporting

equipment, goods and people to work-sites, and of transporting commodities produced in the

region to outside markets, are significant. For example, the government of Nunavut has cited the

lack of sufficient port infrastructure as one of the major challenges to developing the Nunavut

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1 NORTHWEST PASSAGE 2.2 Effects of Climate Change The Northwest is noted for its coastal region and wet season. The Cascade Canyon, which spans north-south across Northern California, creates significant climate changes on Asian and European sides. Year-round weather is moderate west of the Alps, with winter months and warm season. It is often brighter and warmer east of the highlands across the year, with winters being cooler and summertime being much hotter. The Northwest region is being harmed by climate change. According to predictions, global temperatures would climb by 1 to 4 feet through the middle of the century, which might have ramifications for the 140,000 areas of the territory within 3.3 feet of the tidal cycle. Residents, buildings, and wildlife are at risk of rising sea levels and heavy rainfall, specifically in low-lying locations. Global warming and the acidity of the oceans pose a hazard to economically productive aquatic communities and ecosystems. The changing of the climate in the region has reignited the dispute. With the ice melting earlier each year and longer periods of open water, previously inaccessible passages become navigable, making the Northwest Passage a more feasible commercial shipping route. With this rapid Arctic warming, the Northwest Passage has continuously becoming ice-free for a longer period of time every year. As the temperature continues to rise as a result of climate change, it is now declining the sea-ice which opened and allowe ...
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Tags: climate change natural resources Canadian arctic economic developments Northwest passage