Tensions have been rising in the South China Sea as China has stepped up its defense of what it regards as its territory. At this time, the main confrontation seems to be between China and the Philippines, but there are many other claims by different states. The stakes are unknown, but there is some belief that there are significant reserves of oil and natural gas in the contested areas. The most difficult issue in resolving the territorial claims is China’s claim that it owns virtually the entire expanse of the sea, as evidenced by this map indicating China’s claims.
Scientists have published a paper in the British journal, Nature, that indicates that the process of climate change could be vastly accelerated by the melting of permafrost in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The melting releases methane which is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, but which was underrepresented in earlier climate change models. The worst case projections for the release of the methane are truly worrisome, and underscore the need to take more effective action as quickly as possible.
World Politics News 
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