How will this project affect the environment? - We must assume that its implementation would not adversely affect the environment. To long-term needs of countries in need of fresh water, enough to "collect" crop accounts for only around one tenth the mass of icebergs produced annually by. In addition, the icebergs polar ice regions containing fresh water, has less than 0,001 surface pack-ice covering the surface of the sea. Thus, we should not fear climate change as a consequence of transport of icebergs. It is possible that the cooling of the sea water off the coast destination ice "caravan" caused by using it to melt the ice, in some measure a negative impact on the coastal oceanic flora and fauna of the area. Clarification of this issue requires additional research. In the next few decades, we can say with confidence that the environmental impact will be more positive, as to ensure the melting of ice will be spent enormous amounts of unused heat power plants of large complexes, which have undesirable effects on the environment. Thus, we could reduce the unwanted heat load on the scale of entire countries.
What is the cost of fresh water of the Antarctic? - Compared with today's cost of water treatment works its value is acceptable.
These calculations appear in a better light, if you think about what alternatives are just expensive desalination plants or water delivery pipeline length is several thousand kilometers. Of course, not least the price is determined by supply. It is clear that households, as well as industry, are willing to pay higher prices for clean water because of its high subjective value. However, the largest consumer of fresh water - agriculture - cannot afford to have such a sense of the word precious moisture. Today, American farmers are still so cheap water from rivers and lakes. However, in many parts of the U.S. waters already polluted to such an extent that the water is no longer suitable for irrigation.