Antarctic ocean sanctuary talks end in failure

Time to start whaling again.

Russia is poised to be the country that gains the most from future changes in the polar regions and the worldwide thawing of permafrost. The last thing on their minds is a sanctuary in the Antarctic, where they've been drilling for 30 years+.

Russia is poised to be the country that gains the most from future changes in the polar regions and the worldwide thawing of permafrost. The last thing on their minds is a sanctuary in the Antarctic, where they've been drilling for 30 years+.

Are you sure you aren`t mixing the Arctic up with the Antarctic. There is no permafrost in the Antarctic and the Russians have not been doing drilling in the Antarctic for the last 30 years but they have been drilling in the Arctic.

Maybe the Chicoms wil claim Antarctic waters. They're seeking a place in Arctic ownership negaotiations.

The last thing on their minds is a sanctuary in the Antarctic, where they've been drilling for 30 years+.

the Antarctic has no Russian drilling, try Artic.

Which begs the question what does Russia and the Ukraine gain from this?

@kiwi07, spudmanreincarnated:

Russians have been drilling in the Antarctic for over 3 decades, like I said: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vostok_Station#Ice_core_drilling http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/09/world/europe/russian-scientists-bore-into-ancient-antarctic-lake.html I advise you read up on Lake Vostok, interesting stuff.

I know there is no permafrost in the Antarctic, I was talking about the polar regions.

True, but they are not drilling for oil. It is scientific drilling (and yes, I actually mean scientific drilling, not like scientific whaling).:) Scientific drilling would not be restricted by the conservation area so it is irrelevant.

I think the quote about it being political is more pertinent. Certain countries want to say no because it gives them some clout.