CulturalCreative
EarthNews
Arctic Drift Ice Decreasing North Of Hokkaido
Aug 15th, 2008
National Geographics notes that in recent years, Hokkaido in northern Japan has seen noticeably less drift ice. Arctic sea ice overall has been disappearing much faster than initially predicted, and this may hurt the region’s wildlife and tourism. From 1997 to 2007, the amount of sea ice forming in the Sea of Okhotsk shrank by 3.6 percent, says Japan Meteorological Agency. And in 2004 the Shiretoko town of Abashiri had just 54 days of drift ice, much less than the average of 87 days.
The Drift Ice Festivals in Abashiri and Mombetsu are one of many events in Okhotsk. At night, ice sculptures are illuminated by lights and are beautifully contrasted against the night sky. Thousands of people visit Mombetsu and Abashiri for a glimpse of the ice culptures. And in summer there is always the hotspring festival, if you still feel cold…
Treehugger: Drift Ice Decreasing In Northern Japan
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