Global warming is causing an interesting effect in Norway. Due to melting ice, the country is now able to have much closer links with Asia. This environmental effect is causing serious concern for the wellbeing of countries around the world, as it is radically changing the way that Norway operates, in terms of trade.
Kirkenes in north Norway used to be further from Asia than almost any other European port, but it has now moved closer, and the reason is entirely down to global warming.
Melting ice has opened up a new Northern Sea Route down Russia’s Arctic coastline, and this has changed the international trade patterns.
At the moment, the new trade route has something of the sleepy country road about it, but there is great potential for it to soon resemble an international four-lane highway to Asia. This change in trade could affect the wellness of those living in both Norway and Asia.
As a direct result of the new route, the travel time between the port of Hamburg in Germany and the port of Yokohama in Japan has been cut by a staggering 40 percent, and fuel expenditure for making this same journey is also now down by 20 percent, making it far easier all round.
This is the first time in history that we have been witness to a new ocean opening up, and it will have a significant impact on the provision of energy as well as trade between the adjoining countries.
For now, the traffic on the route is negligible, especially when compared with the traditional trade routes. Ships tend to transit the Panama Canal 15,000 times per year and pass through Suez 19,000 times, but the future could show a much bigger picture.
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