Climate Change

The Arctic is without a single regimen to govern state behavior it  is surrounded by eight highly developed states that compete for their own interests  Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States. Disputes over sovereignty such as determination of borders  exclusive economic zones (EEZ’s) and access to marine passages are geopolitical issues that tend to dominate the most. Improvement technologies and market conditions have facilitated access to the Arctic regions natural resources. Climate change issues have affected the Arctic geopolitics.  Melting sea ice cap is speculated  to lead to  increase usability of Northwest Passage for shipments of goods between Europe and Asia.  Melting sea ice cap has also facilitated efforts to carry out mapping exercises.

Geopolitical issues are not exclusively conflicts over interest they also reflect cooperation amongst nations, multilateral initiatives such as  the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy 1991 signed an agreement to protect the Arctics marine environment and conserves flora and fauna. The Arctic Council was established in 1996 and it takes on the functions which concern the environment, and which, social and economic matters are discussed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mo_VA1_Vk0

Above is a link to  youtube  where I have found the speech made by Senator Wirth, President of the Better World Campaign and the UN Foundation, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs asked Timothy E. Wirth to testify at a hearing titled “Copenhagen and Beyond: Is there a Successor to the Kyoto Protocol?” Senator Wirth’s answer was “a resounding yes.”

According to the Better World Campaign, Senator Wirth in his testimony made several key points: “[First,] certain near-term steps would immediately contribute to solving the climate problem and help reach a global deal…. [Second,] the UN Foundation and the Center for American Progress just released a report that shows how energy efficiency, renewable energy, forest conservation, and sustainable land use worldwide could provide 75 percent of needed global emissions reductions by 2020…. [Tird,] these “core elements” of a new agreement would help developed and developing countries address strategic interests such as job creation, energy security and energy access, food security, environmental quality, and public health…. [But] most importantly, Senator Wirth emphasized that climate change is about more than proposals and metrics – it’s about people, too. To reach a successful agreement, we must move people to the center of the debate so politicians understand the global as well as personal effects on citizens worldwide.”

Arctic climate changes

• 2008 global temperature map shows accentuated increase in the Arctic region
• Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme – Working group of the Arctic Council
• Record Arctic Ice extent minimum of 2007
• Catlin Arctic Survey Expedition

Geopolitics

• Who owns the Arctic Ocean?
• Maritime jurisdiction and boundaries in the Arctic region

Natural Resources

• Assessment of Undiscovered Oil and Gas in the Arctic

Poster: Changing Arctic Landscapes