Arctic Thaw

October 1, 2014

Gr 6 Up-An important case study and source of current information for serious students of climate change. Drawing almost exclusively from recent documents and news reports, McPherson surveys the ambitious, conflicting, and increasingly hostile claims that the major countries circling the Arctic have made on the polar region's major oil and gas resources. Along with showing how melting ice has already opened both the Northwest (over Canada) and the Northeast (over Russia) Passages to shipping, she frankly explores the ecological and economic challenges faced by indigenous peoples and by Greenland, which is inching its way toward independence over vast and increasingly accessible reserves of oil, rare earths, and other potentially lucrative natural resources. The author closes with a consideration of sources of renewable energy, including Russia's potentially alarming plan to build multiple floating nuclear reactors in Arctic waters, and generous lists of relevant print and web documents. Revealing maps and small but often telling color photos underscore the idea that serious climate change isn't just coming to this region; it has already arrived.-John Peters, Children's Literature Consultant, New York City

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September 1, 2014
The rapid melting of Arctic ice has opened a new frontier for international competition or cooperation.The book opens with a dramatic scene, as three men in a submersible search for a hole in the ice above the North Pole location on the ocean floor where they've just planted a Russian flag. McPherson goes on to describe the changes in polar ice cover that are encouraging exploration and allowing access to previously inaccessible energy resources. Subsequent chapters describe new, shorter ocean passages, the jockeying for territory as nearby nations lay claim and others look for ways to get involved, and the likely difficulties of development. Native peoples, whose livelihoods and cultures are inextricably connected to this harsh environment, have to make difficult choices, and the melting of the ice sheet over Greenland offers new opportunities as well as potential for disaster. McPherson's clear explanations and balanced approach encourage reflection; there are no easy answers. Given that the burning of fossil fuels contributes to global warming, should the newly accessible oil and gas be extracted and added to the world's supply? Does the North Pole belong to one or another nearby nation or to the world? Is it even possible to develop this area without spoiling it? Maps, photographs and a thoughtful design add to the package. A chilling look at a timely topic. (source notes, glossary, bibliographies, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)

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December 1, 2014
Grades 7-10 The melting of the Arctic ice cap offers opportunities for wealth and economic development, as well as unwelcome prospects. Included in some of the most concerning possible effects are geopolitical conflicts over control of this enormous region, social upheaval for the people living there, and environmental disasters with far-reaching consequences. McPherson's account opens in 2007 as a Russian submersible plants a Russian flag on the ocean floor below the ice at the North Pole. After following the international uproar that followed that event, the chapters examine issues such as the opening of the Northwest Passage to shipping and the likelihood of companies finding oil and natural gas deposits in previously inaccessible locations. The author also balances discussions of national and corporate interests with the points of view of indigenous people in the Arctic. Succinct and clearly written, the text offers up-to-date information, illustrated with clear color photos and useful maps. An articulate introduction to the Arctic in a time of profound, striking changes.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)