While territorial claims are and will likely be heated, what struck me is that the area is right near the Drake Passage, in the Weddell Sea (which is fundamental to the world’s ocean currents AFAIU).
I don’t know how oil drilling in the antarctic could affect the passage, but still, I’m not sure I would trust human oil hunger with a 10ft pole on that one.
Also interestingly, the discovery was made by Russia, which is a somewhat ominous clue about where the current “multi-polar” world and climate change are heading. Antarctica, being an actual continent that thrived with life up until only about 10-30 M yrs ago, is almost certainly full of resources.
US about to declare war on the Arctic and bring some freedom to…uh…the penguins?
That would be a war against the world and they would break their own agreement.
And America never breaks agreements!
Yeah, it’s Russia sniffing around the area that should be unclaimable any nation.
Gonna find a penguin wedding and drone strike it. Just for shits and giggles. (All penguins within 500ft of the impact are designated “Enemy Combatants” by default. (This totally isn’t a war crime))
This totally isn’t a war crime
Robert M. Gates:
Very legal. Very cool.
I was about to correct you, but then thought, no, I wouldn’t put it past the US to invade the Arctic when oil is discovered in the Antarctic.
Just what we don’t need.
ever get the feeling that devil’s blood really is the final “fuck you, mammals!” from the dinosaurs?
The reserves uncovered contain around 511 billion barrels worth of oil, equating to around 10 times the North Sea’s output over the last 50 years.
According to documents discussed in U.K. parliament last week, the discovery was made by Russian research ships in the Weddell Sea, which falls under the U.K.'s claim in Antarctic territory. That claim overlaps with those of Chile and Argentina.
So in the water, not the land.
What difference does it make?
The land is not supposed to be claimed by any nation. The sea, well as the article says is claimed by 3.
Oh boy UK vs Argentina rematch! I need some popcorn.
At the current usage rate, how long would 511 billion barrels last?
Googling says 36.4 billion barrels per year as of 2018, so 14 years.
That kind of calc isn’t fair though because there’s a ton of protection everywhere else.
Fortunately global warming will make it super easy to get to! Win/Win!
Good, let’s all make sure it stays right where it is
Ron Howard: They didn’t.
It’s Always Sunny theme music
FRANK MELTS ANTARCTICA
Instructions unclear, we started world war 3 over Antarctican resources.
Uh-oh!
I saw a warning-documentary 2 weeks ago on the big-screen, it was called ‘John Carpenter’s The Thing’
Leave that shit well alone.
At least it turned out alright in the end!
God is effing with us now.
Oil in Antarctica? Hold on to your shorts boys, America is sending all the freedom!
Oh no
guys i don’t know about you but i have a feeling Antarctica needs some democracy right the fuck now.
Fucking Communist penguins leaving their children to fend for themselves! Do they have polar kangaroos up there in American soil? Let’s defend it! The polar kangaroos are near extinction.
The black penguins and the white penguins are getting along a little too well, they need some social media
I’ll see you all in anchorage in 2076
Why Anchorage??
“climate change is actually good because it’ll melt all this ice that’s in the way of our oil!”
“The more oil we use, the more ice we clear! The more ice we clear, the more oil to use! It’s a never ending cycle of win!”
I’m not sure I would trust human oil hunger with a 10ft pole on that one.
I’ll fix it for you:
I’m not sure I would trust human oil hunger as far as I could throw a 10 ft pole.
