The North Pole was once a rather pleasant spot, at least by comparison to today's temperatures. Via Eurekalert.

The Arctic Coring Expedition homepage is also well worth a visit, as is that of the Swedish Polar Secretariat. Moreover, you can order:

The Polar Research Secretariat Yearbook!
The beautiful 2003 yearbook is ready! It describes the Swedish polar year of 2003 in text and image, and can be ordered free of charge from the Secretariat.

Mine's already on the way!

The Swedish Astrobiology Network is fun, too, even if infrequently updated. (*Ring* *ring* "Hello?" "Hello, Pot? This is Kettle. You're black!") This artikel on terraforming Mars is good. Or you could just re-read Genesis.