Hello Friends,

This article we explore something of the legend and lore: The Northwest Passage mysterious, elusive, very profitable. We explore the history and the significance of the Northwest Passage to see how recent events may influence our world.

The Northwest Passage is a sea-route through the Arctic Ocean passing Ellesmere Island and much of Canada?s north. It is a very profitable seaway that, if navigated, dramatically reduces the shipping distances from Western Europe, Americas, and Africa to Asia and vice versa. The value of a potential route to Asia was first recognized by the Italian throne when Christopher Columbus was sent on his first voyage to reach India through this so called Northwest Passage. Since then many expeditions have been attempted to navigate this route. However, the despite these many attempts the arctic pack ice delayed the first successful voyage of the Northwest Passage until finally it was navigated by Roald Amundsen from 1903 to 1906. In the status quo, the ships wishing to trade between these places must navigate through the Panama Canal through South America. This can be a very long trip which uses precious time and fuel. However, if the Northwest Passage could be opened up, then shipping distances could be greatly reduced. This is the history and the value of the Northwest Passage. However, the history begs one question: why was the first successful navigation conducted almost 400 years after the first attempt?

The answer to this lies in the fact that in history these voyages took many years due to the lack of technology. In the time of Columbus (pre-industrial era) the ice packs in the north would have been near impenetrable. However, as time went on, especially after the industrial revolution, the ice packs started to melt as the early effects of anthropogenic climate change. As this progressed, eventually in 1903 Amundsen was able to fully navigate the passage for the first time. This is yet another proof of how climate change is affecting our world.

But, many consider this to be a good thing. The Northwest Passage opening up is considered by some to have great economic benefits and some even claim that the reduced shipping distances would use less fuel and thus would benefit the environment. However, it is very important to note that the ice pack in the north are already melting. The damage has been done, so should we inflict even more damage? I think not! The Northwest Passage opening up should be a startling indicator of climate change and should remind us that we must take action to prevent impending consequences. However, many think that economic gain is more important than preserving our environment. I think that is not up to us to decide bad or good, rather it is up to us to heed warnings and adapt to them. It is up to us to preserve our environment and right the wrongs that have been done in the past. Rather than quarrelling on whether or not the Northwest Passage opening is a good thing or bad, we should consider it a warning.

Regards,

Nitish Bhatt 

image courtesy: wikipedia..org and national geographic