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WVPE is your gateway to green and sustainable resources in Michiana. Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This is accomplished by finding a balance between businesses, the environment, and our society (people, planet, and profit).State, National and International resources on sustainability include:The Environmental Protection AgencyThe Natural StepSustainability Dictionary45 Sustainability Resources You Need to Know Explore ways to support sustainability in the Michiana area through the Green Links Directory.Sept. 17, 2019 from 2-3:30pm"Global Warming: A Hot Topic"Sept. 17, 19, 24, and 26All sessions are from 2-3:30pmGreencroft Goshen Community Center in the Jennings Auditorium1820 Greencroft Blvd.Goshen, IN 46526The event will look at possible solutions and suffering as well as consequences beyond warmer weather. The event will examine what other civilizations have or haven’t done when faced with environmental problems. Plus there will be an exploration of the biggest unknown in the climate system: What will the humans do? Paul Meyer Reimer teaches physics, math and climate change at Goshen College. The events are presented by the Lifelong Learning Institute. The Institute can be reached at: (574) 536-8244lifelonglearning@live.comhttp://life-learn.org/

Russia Launches World's Biggest, Most Powerful Icebreaker

By Camila Domonoske

Published June 16, 2016 at 7:48 AM EDT

The new Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker Arktika launches in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday. Russia has been modernizing its icebreaker fleet as part of its efforts to strengthen its Arctic presence.

Russia launched the world's biggest, most powerful icebreaker on Thursday in St. Petersburg.

The Arktika is 568 feet long and powered by two nuclear reactors. It can break through ice 13 feet deep, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly reports.

The ship set forth early, ahead of its planned 2017 launch, according to Sputnik News and the shipyard where the Arktika was built.

The Arktika is the world's largest, most powerful icebreaker.

"She is one of several new icebreakers planned for Russia's growing fleet — a fleet already bigger than all other countries, combined," Mary Louise reports.

"Russian interest in the Arctic is rising, as global warming opens up shipping routes and access to mineral resources."

In addition to launching new icebreakers, Russia is building new bases in the Arctic Circle and modernizing its nuclear submarines.

The steps are "unmistakable signals of Russia's intent to reassert itself on the global stage," Mary Louise says.

Another Russian nuclear icebreaker, Yamal, travels through the Arctic Ocean on its way to the North Pole in 2007. Russia is the only country with nuclear-powered icebreakers.

As we've previously reported, the U.S. Coast Guard currently operates one heavy icebreaker that can access the Arctic, as well as one smaller research vessel.

Russia has more than two dozen oceangoing icebreakers, Adm. Paul Zukunft, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, told NPR's Jackie Northam last year.

Five countries have territorial claims to the Arctic's lands and waters: the U.S., Russia Canada, Norway and Denmark.