Arctic Has Lost Enough Ice to Cover Texas

Staff / Truthdig Apr 7, 2009 Although this wasn't the worst winter on record for retention of Arctic sea ice, a report from NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center says that the region is now missing a Texas-sized chunk of the stuff that keeps polar bears alive and cities above sea level. More alarming, the ice that is there is younger, thinner and more fragile than in years past. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Predicted Rise in Sea Levels May Be Way Short

Staff / Truthdig Mar 11, 2009 A team of researchers has found that sea levels could rise up to three times higher over the next century than U.N. estimates have indicated. The findings have dire implications for the 600 million people who live in vulnerable areas. Scientists gathered in Denmark said they expect polar and glacial melting to accelerate. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Arctic Oil

Cameron Cardow / Truthdig Jul 29, 2008 Dig deeper

Politicizing the Polar Bear

By Richard Ellis Jul 1, 2008 More than any other mammal (except of course Mr. Homo sapiens), Ursus maritimus, which translates as maritime bear, has been in the forefront of the news lately, the subject of television specials, lawsuits, congressional debates, and New York Times editorials. Why? Dig deeper ( 19 Min. Read )

Polar Bears ‘Threatened’

Staff / Truthdig May 15, 2008 The plight of the polar bear has come to represent the real-world impact of the climate crisis, so it is only fitting that the Bush administration had to be ordered by a court to make a decision on the endangered status of the species. After years of delay, the Interior Department finally classified the animal as threatened, but also promised to fight any meaningful protection. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

UK Joins Grab for Polar Territories

Staff / Truthdig Oct 17, 2007 While Russia is leading the race to claim the North Pole for itself, Britain has decided to expand its territory on the other end of the world, in Antarctica. The British Foreign Office says it has no immediate plans for the additional 1,000 square miles of seabed, but simply wishes to "safeguard for the future." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Arctic Land Grab Update: Russia Claims Victory

Staff / Truthdig Sep 21, 2007 Russian officials say they have proof to back up Moscow's claim to the north pole -- and nearly half a million square miles of neutral Arctic territory -- but don't expect Denmark, Canada and the U.S. to go down without a fight. It's all part of a nakedly opportunistic attempt to cash in on energy resources made available by global warming and melting ice caps. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Not So Fast, Putin

Staff / Truthdig Aug 11, 2007 For years the North Pole has been considered international territory, and that seemed to suit everyone just fine until global warming came along, making it theoretically easier to extract oil and gas from the region. The Russians kicked off the land grab by planting an underwater flag, and now Denmark is launching a similar expedition. Canada, Norway and the U.S. also have territory disputes in the Arctic. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Russian Flag on North Pole Seabed

Staff / Truthdig Aug 3, 2007 Although Canada and the U.S., among other nations, are disputing Russia's claim to vast territory in the Arctic, Russia has planted its flag on the ocean floor at the North Pole. Why does it matter? Well, some 25 percent of the Earth's oil reserves might be at stake. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Russia Claims Much of Arctic

Staff / Truthdig Jul 25, 2007 Russia is launching an underwater expedition to the North Pole in order to back up its claim to a massive section of the Arctic, which may contain vast energy reserves. "The Arctic is ours and we should demonstrate our presence," said a Russian parliamentarian and explorer who will participate in the flag-planting expedition. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Polar Bears Threatened

Staff / Truthdig Dec 27, 2006 The Department of the Interior will recommend adding polar bears to the endangered species list, a rare acknowledgment by the Bush administration of the impact of global warming. The world's largest bears depend on ever-shrinking Arctic sea ice for their survival. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Global Warming Slams Arctic

Staff / Truthdig Dec 12, 2006 Last month Arctic sea ice shrunk by an area the size of Alaska when compared to historical averages, according to a new study by the National Center for Atmospheric Research. By 2040, summer ice could disappear altogether. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )