Aug. 20, 2013 | COPING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTES ABOUT ARCTIC ICE AND DISTANCE CALCULATIONS
Arctic sea ice extent refers to the area of the ocean with at least 15 percent sea ice. Comparative data taken for Aug. 15. 2013 and the average of each Aug. 15 from 1980 to 2010. See the National Snow and Ice Data Center's Arctic Sea Ice News and Analysis for more information.
Shipping distances are estimates and can vary depending on sea conditions and the exact route used. All comparative distances in miles used Shanghai to Rotterdam.
National Snow and Ice Data Center
“The Northern Sea Route versus The Suez Canal: cases from bulk shipping” — Journal of Transport Geography
Royal Belgian Institute of Marine Engineers
Dept. of Global Studies and Geography, Hofstra University
MIT Technology Review
“Final Frontier: The Northern Sea Route” — husdal.com
Northern Sea Route Information Office
The Northern Sea Route Administration.
Read the full story, China May Have New Short-Cut Thanks to Melting Arctic Ice.
See all of our stories about Coping With Climate Change.