Current issues, feedback & complaints on public services in Malaysia
I COULD not help but be disappointed with the views expressed in your report about the effects of global warming on polar ice caps (”Melting polar ice cuts pollution in Straits of Malacca” — NST, Oct 7).
According to the report, the effects of global warming will be to clear sea routes across the top of the world — the Northwest Passage along Canada’s shores and the Northeast Passage along the shores of Norway, Finland, and Russia.
These passages will provide a great opportunity for international shipping by cutting the distance (and travel time) between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.
The article also notes that this will mean that fewer ships will travel through the Straits of Malacca, reducing pollution of water and air and reducing coastal erosion as well.
But one wonders about the effects of international shipping through the Northwest and Northeast passages on the sensitive Arctic tundra and boreal forest ecosystems of Canada, Norway, Finland and Russia. Are these areas not deserving of consideration in the international drive towards globalisation so more private companies can make more money?
Another thing which was not mentioned in the article is the effect of the melting of polar ice caps on rising sea levels. If things continue as they are, Klang town will become a coastal area as Port Klang will be submerged.
There has been a significant curb in piracy activities in the Straits of Malacca.
Let us see the littoral states working together to reduce water and air pollution and coastal erosion. We should tackle the issue instead of hoping for it to go away to another country.
MOAZ YUSUF AHMAD, Subang Jaya
Source: NST – October 9, 2008
2 responses to “GLOBAL WARMING: Melting ice has other effects, too”
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W Robichaud
October 9th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
But that would be “IF” the Ice was melting. As of today the Arctic has more ice then 2007 and so does Antarctica.
Now the Arctic being a floating sheet of ice of course can not raise water level. Antarctica with it’s ice shelf being km thick and 1000s KM before it reach the continent would take <if one want to use the 1998 melt as a starting point, would take 10000 years to melt. But since we are now going to have a cooling for the next 30 some years.. Port Klang will not be submerged.
W Robichaud
October 9th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
But that would be “IF” the Ice was melting. As off today the Arctic has more ice then 2007 and so does Antarctica.
Now the Arctic being a floating sheet of ice of course can not raise water level. Antarctica with it’s ice shelf being km thick and 1000s KM before it reach the continent would take <if one want to use the 1998 melt as a starting point, would take 10000 years to melt. But since we are now going to have a cooling for the next 30 some years.. Port Klang will not be submerged.