International expedition to set off around North East Passage

The North East Passage, now known as the Northern Sea Route, is a shipping lane running along Russia's Far Eastern and Siberian coasts that is usually only free of ice for around eight weeks a year, however, the affects of global warming are causing ice to retreat opening up previously closed maritime routes.

In 1878 Nils Adolf Erik Nordenskjold made the first successful attempt to completely navigate the North East Passage from west to east as part of the Vega expedition.

Rep. Henry Waxman at the 43:20 minute mark of this video:  He defends coal burning, and at 44:20, admits that he didn't know about Jim Hansen's arrest

Today we spend the hour with one of the most influential members of Congress who has played a key role in the debate over climate change and healthcare, among many other issues. Democratic Congress member Henry Waxman has represented California’s 30th congressional district for nearly thirty-five years.