Excerpt:

”In a historic move, the United States has officially expanded its geographical territory by one million square kilometers — an area nearly 60 percent the size of Alaska. The catalyst for this territory expansion lies in the redefinition of the U.S. continental shelf boundaries.

By invoking international law, the State Department has outlined new areas under the sea where the continental shelf, a seabed area surrounding large landmasses with relatively shallow waters, extends further than previously recognized.

This monumental addition is spread across seven distinct ocean regions, with over half of the new territory located in the Arctic.”

1,000,000 square kilometers! I know, nobody knows how much area that is, what even is a kilometer? But it’s an important area of the world, gives us a legit claim to keep Russia out of the area, and takes ownership of tons of natural resources.

The Arctic may be the cradle of the future of humanity, as the rest of the planet becomes to warm to inhabit.

Further reading: America’s Arctic strategy: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/docs/nat_arctic_strategy.pdf

“We seek an Arctic region that is stable and free of conflict, where nations act responsibly in a spirit of trust and cooperation, and where economic and energy resources are developed in a sustainable manner that also respects the fragile environment and the interests and cultures of indigenous peoples.”

Of course if the Republicans win again the strategy just reverts to “drill baby drill” and Trump will probably sign Alaska over to Russia as a gift.

  • Flying Squid
    link
    2111 months ago

    what even is a kilometer?

    It’s one of those weird Euro measurements that we don’t use in the good old U.S. of A. Freedom units forever!

    • LostXOR
      link
      fedilink
      1811 months ago

      I love having to do long division to convert feet to miles! Freedom units are the best!

      • Flying Squid
        link
        1411 months ago

        If I don’t know how many buckets there are to a hogshead, I’ll never figure out how much sarsaparilla to make.

          • Flying Squid
            link
            311 months ago

            I’m sorry, Lemmy doesn’t let me do fractions.

    • teft
      link
      011 months ago

      Except literally every soldier and marine uses metric. I’m pretty sure the navy and air force still use imperial measurements though.

      • Flying Squid
        link
        111 months ago

        Do you really think someone would post an image of an eagle saluting with a human hand and mean it seriously?

        • teft
          link
          111 months ago

          It’s the internet. Everything is serious.