Oh Brave New World

Explorers are going into the formerly frozen wastes of northern lands and finding many things, among them natural resources. While that is making some of us aware that we are losing aspects of the climate we don't want to do without, for others it means more oil.

Canada is sending out an expedition to look for ships lost in early attempts to find a usable inland waterway. The Franklin Expedition is a part of Canadian history that has excited fascination for eons.

As global warming shrinks the Arctic ice, Russia, the US, Canada, Denmark, Iceland and Norway all stake claims to areas potentially rich in gas and oil.

"We have staked our claim. It's use it or lose it. For far too long our country has not had a strong presence in the far north," Mr Baird said.

Canada says that the waterways of the Northwest Passage are Canadian rather than international waters - a view disputed by other countries, including the US and Britain.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said Canada will buy new Arctic patrol ships, increase aerial surveillance and expand the Canadian Rangers military unit in the region.

He is due to tour Arctic regions later in August.

"Oil and mineral resources in the far north, gas reserves... put it higher on the agenda than it would have been even just a year ago," Mr Baird said.

Licking your lips over more fossil fuels to burn is anachronistic of course, but it seems to be drawing out all kinds of exploratory urges. Hopefully, not too much destruction will happen as we plow those new territories.