(CNN) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday praised the Arctic region -- and its rapidly shrinking levels of sea ice -- for its economic opportunities, despite continued warnings about the catastrophic effects of climate change. "The Arctic is at the forefront of opportunity and abundance," Pompeo said in remarks in Rovaniemi, Finland. "Steady reductions in sea ice are opening new passageways and new opportunities for trade," he continued. "Arctic sea lanes could become the 21st century Suez and Panama Canals," Pompeo remarked. According to the US Global Change Research Program, the loss of sea ice leads to warmer global water temperatures, which in return lead to greater sea ice melting.

Source: CNN May 06, 2019 22:52 UTC