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This daring attempt by the Russians to claim
2007年 俄罗斯大胆地声称
the disputed seabed at the North Pole in 2007
北极受争议的海床是自己的领土
caused fury among the competing countries
引发了几个竞争国的强烈反对
and it's unlikely to be the last such dispute.
而这样的争端将会源源不断
The Arctic has never been so important
北极从来没有这么重要过
and not just because of its resources.
而这并不仅仅因为它资源丰富
The North-West passage,
西北水道
a legendary sea route
是加拿大北部和阿拉斯加周围的
around the north of Canada and Alaska,
一条传奇海路航线
cleared of ice in the summer of 2007
2007年夏天
for the first time since records began.
自有记录以来 冰雪首次消融
This promises a much faster and cheaper shipping route
从此 往来大西洋和太平洋的航线
between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
变得既快捷又便宜
And some wildlife could benefit from an ice-free Arctic too.
无冰的北冰洋同时也惠及了一些野生动物
Bowhead whales are one of just
北极露脊鲸是少数
a few whales that can live year-round in the Arctic
一整年待在北极的一种鲸鱼
because they have no dorsal fin.
因为它们没有背鳍
This means they can come up for air in small spaces
因此它们能在狭小的空间里浮起来呼吸
and travel easily under the ice.
并能在冰下自如游弋
Their unique body shape used to mean that the Arctic whales had
独特的身形曾让它们
the seas to themselves for most of the year.
几乎整年都独占这片海域
But now, some cousins from down south are moving in.
但现在 南方的"亲戚"也来搬来这里
