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Russia Claims Large Chunk of North Pole

Posted by Zonk on from the also-santa-claus dept.

kungfoofairy writes "Russia has laid claim to over one million square kilometers of the Artic. This announcement comes on the return of a scientific expedition into the region which found that the Lomonosov Ridge connects to Russia. The area is supposed to have a reserve of 10 billion tons of natural gas and oil. 'A BBC map shows Russia's proposal; this set of maps from The New York Times illustrates the area at stake and different ways it might be divided ... The Russians have tried to advance their claim before, and were turned away by the United Nations in 2001. The new geological data is evidently meant to improve the odds for a second try. '"

6 of 242 comments (clear)

  1. Sounds like the start.... by Lord_Slepnir · · Score: 3, Funny
    ..of another cold war.

    Thanks, I'll be here all night. Tip your waitress and try the Veal.

  2. Well if we are claiming by ranges... by The0retical · · Score: 5, Funny

    Can the US claim Quebec and Nova Scotia since the Appalachian mountains run into them?

    1. Re:Well if we are claiming by ranges... by y2imm · · Score: 5, Funny

      "Can the US claim Quebec..."

      Would you? Please! We'll explain it all later, promise :-)

      Yours truly,
      English Canada

  3. Re:Santa by eln · · Score: 5, Funny

    Knowing the Russians, this claimed territory will become a polluted industrial mess. Hell, if they're not careful, they could pollute it so badly that nothing would ever grow there.
  4. Re:Just give it to them by Shadow+Wrought · · Score: 5, Funny
    At least the Russians have the balls to go there and get the oil and gas out. To hell with the baby seals and polar bears.

    The bears and seals have had, literally, thousands of years to exploit these resources. If they aren't going to use it they should darn well stand aside for someone who is, period.

    They had their chance.

    --
    If brevity is the soul of wit, then how does one explain Twitter?
  5. Artic? by Ichijo · · Score: 4, Funny

    Russia has laid claim to over one million square kilometers of the Artic.

    I say we file our claim for the Arctic before they get a chance to correct their misspelling.

    --
    Any sufficiently unpopular but cohesive argument is indistinguishable from trolling.