The Jefferson Institute, an American research and education body, has developed an interactive visualisation to highlight the growing use of the Northern Sea Route, an Arctic passage that has been opened up by global warming and whose use is growing to the detriment of the marine environment.
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In 2009, two ships made the trans-continental journey through the waters between the Novaya Zemlya and the Bering Straits. In 2011 it had risen to 41 ships and 2012 it was 46, so the institute, working with the Barents Observer newspaper, has developed an internet tool to show the countries whose ships are using the route and the products transported. The Northern Sea Route is considered by shipping companies as a shortcut for European-Asian traffic compared to the Suez Canal.
For more information: T&E blog on Arctic shipping
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