Hillary Clinton Visits the Arctic Region to Witness the Effects of Climate Change
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took a closer look at how global warming is affecting the Arctic region this week. The visit was in response to a growing desire to use the region to tap into billions of dollars worth of oil reserves. “Billions” may not be the right word, since the estimated economic value is actually $900 Trillion. The resources would be shared with the five countries surrounding the region if they can reach the natural gas, minerals and oil that lies underneath.
The warming of the climate is opening up 18,000 square miles per year for areas that were once covered in ice. This opens the door for additional oil exploration, as well as additional trade routes.
Upon returning from the region with a team of scientists, Clinton proclaimed that “many of the predictions about warming in the Arctic are being surpassed by the actual data.”
“That was not necessarily surprising but sobering,” she said.
The US is asking that the change in the region be overseen by the Arctic Council, an advisory group that consists of the countries that surround the region.
“A lot of countries will be looking at what will be a potential for exploration, as well as new sea lanes, and are increasingly expressing interest in the Arctic,” Clinton said.
“We want the Arctic Council to remain the premier institution that deals with Arctic questions.”
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