After a post-Cold War lull, the Arctic is making headlines again because the world's climate is changing. The shrinking of the Arctic Ocean's vast ice sheet promises a bonanza of oil, natural gas, minerals, fish and other marine life for a resource-hungry world. At the same time, shorter and less costly sea routes are being proposed for transportation of cargo between Asia, Europe and North America--possibly through Canada's fabled Northwest Passage. As the ice recedes, Arctic waters will also be open to other marine traffic, allowing resource development on and off shore, and clearing the way for more tourists to take Arctic cruises.