Unfortunately, the Arctic region is already seriously threatened by global warming; climate change is occurring there at a rate that is twice as fast as the worldwide average.

Friis Arne Peterson, Denmark"s Ambassador to China, says he believes the Arctic region must be treated very carefully if it is to be developed at all.

"I think what makes the Arctic area especially frail are these very, very low temperatures, which means that all kinds of pollutants will remain there almost forever unless taken out by human hands. So its really a place where you cannot afford to pollute or to litter."