While most of the world may want to maintain or increase polar sea ice, Russia and some other nations have historically desired an ice- free Arctic ocean, which would liberate shipping and open potentially vast oil and mineral deposits for exploitation.
Wingi wa dunia itataka kuiwacha hivyo ama kuongeza barafu ya bahari, Urusi na taifa zingine kwa historia zimetaka Arctic isiyo na barafu, itayowachilia mameli na pengine itafungua njia ya kunyonya mafuta na madini kwa wingi.