Wake up, Henry Hudson: Thanks to global warming, the Northwest Passage will soon be open for business.

As the North Pole’s ice cap gives way to global warming, countries bordering the formerly inaccessible Arctic are now vying to claim its untapped resources.

Captain Melissa M. Bert, USCG saysnow is the time for the Obama administration to advance a comprehensive Arctic strategy that addresses both governance and acquisition requirements, or it risks further harm to the economic and national security of the United States.

Scott Borgerson visually explores the changing Arctic using an interactive map.

Scott Borgerson and Paula Dobriansky discuss the economic, environmental, and security implications of a changing Arctic region and its significance for the United States.

The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty "was signed in Madrid on October 4, 1991 and entered into force in 1998. It designates Antarctica as a 'natural reserve, devoted to peace and science' ".

The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) was adopted on May 20, 1980 and entered into force on April 7, 1982.

John Vinocur of The New York Times examines news developments in the Arctic and explores Russia's goal of building a "comprehensive presence" in the area.

Paula J. Dobriansky argues that the continuing success of the Antarctic Treaty at its 50th anniversary offers policymakers a powerful diplomatic template on which to combat pressing security, economic, and environmental challenges in the region.

The Arctic Council assesses the impact climate change is having on the Arctic environment, human health, and social, cultural and economic systems. The Assessment encourages Member States to take effective measures through enhancing the access of Arctic residents to information and decision makers.

A report prepared by CSIS on the foreign policy and national security implications of global climate change.

The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports on the rapid rates of warming in recent years in the sub-regions of the Arctic and Antarctic.

Ice, snow and climate change are closely linked. The Global Outlook for Ice and Snow investigates those connections, the current situation of ice and snow and the global significance of changes, now and in the years to come.

NOAA has published a report on the decline in Arctic snow and ice coverage.

This report by World Wildlife Fund catalogues the damaging effects of climate change on glaciers and offers possible solutions.