To the editor:

On Nov 7, 2012, the Russian tanker Ob River left its port in Hammerfest, Norway, bound for Japan via a “northern route.” For the first time in navigational history, this ship went straight through the ice of the Arctic in winter. This unbelievable voyage never would have been possible if it weren’t for global warming.

Reports such as this should be alarming, but, unfortunately, voices of environmental opposition have worked hard to diminish the credibility of global warming truths. Even worse, they have angled the prism of climate change to such an extent that in their convoluted minds they see it as a benefit to industry, completely undermining the implications of warning signs such as this.

Hal Brown, who works for the shipping journal Lloyds List, says, “It cuts sailing time between Russian ports and Asia from 40 days to 22 days. So it saves owners a huge amount on fuel.” This ideology of industry is akin to informing a terminal cancer patient that, after just completing their final round of chemotherapy, “at least you’ve saved money at the barber.”