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I.C.E.-Partner
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The
Future
The Arctic Highway
The ice that is covering large parts of the Arctic has started to melt.
This is due to a manmade global warming process. The polar icecap of the
Arctic Ocean is getting thinner and thinner; the area covered by pack ice
in the winter is decreasing. Climate experts predict that possibly as
early as in 2040, the Arctic Ocean will only be ice-covered during winter,
whereas it will be ice-free in summer.
Shipping companies are already taking advantage of this development; at
the same time huge reservoirs of crude oil and natural gas are being
discovered and tapped. In transport and industrial development, enormous
prospects are opening up in what was once one of the most remote areas of
the planet.
 Imagine that your are on a huge container ship travelling in 2040 on the
new opened shipping route from Hamburg (Bergen, Tromsö) via the Arctic to
Yokohama in Japan, witnessing the enormous changes which have taken place.
Task:
inform your classmates about your impressions, observations and personal
feelings on this future imaginery journey through this then flourishing
region. Describe the economic upturn which has recently taken place there
and the progress that is happening in industry, traffic, transport and
tourism. Make sure that you mention the changes in climate and in natural
conditions. Report on the environmental damage that might have occured due
to the exploitation of the vast crude oil and natural gas reserves. Tell
them what has happened to the indigenous people who had lived for
centuries in absolute harmony with nature. Were they able to keep their
ancient culture? Have they found ways of uniting their past with their
present lives?
Form:
It is up to you to decide how you want to report on this journey. You
could write a diary, a travel journal, a series of e-mails, do a
power-point presenation or make a film on a DVD or create a computer
programme. The scientific methods you use aren't quite as important as are
a unique approach, new perspectives and your creativity.
Sources on information:
You will have a collection of internet addresses and
relevant documents, maps and satellite data at your disposal. You can also
refer to Arved Fuchs' homepage.
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