THE RACE TO ESTABLISH SUPREMACY OVER THE ARCTIC CONTINENT & ARCTIC SEAFLOOR IS ON. HERE'S HOW THE QUEST TO DOMINATE ARCTIC REGION IS BEING PLAYED OUT.
As we transcend and evolve our means of exploration, less of the world we live in remains unexplored. The Arctic is a curious anomaly. Its frigid climate, frozen landmass, unnavigable seas & pristine ecosystem makes acute discovery impossible.
Yet several nations are embroiled in a dispute over who owns whats in this region. It seems human greed is unmitigated. So let's take a look at the whats and why of this geopolitical tussle:
WHAT IS THIS CONFLICT ABOUT?
Basically this conflict is about the ownership of Arctic land and the sea around it. There are several ways to claim landmass & oceanic waters (and resources below it) as discussed below:
1. Continental Shelf
Continental Shelf refers to an extended area of the continent which is submerged under shallow sea water. According to United Nations Convention on Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), every nation can ratify their claims by submitting geological evidence. If the evidence is true, the seabed and its resources becomes exclusive for the successful claimant.
In the Arctic region, this mechanism is used to consolidate the resource rich Lomosov Ridge. The contesting nations are Canada, Russia, Denmark & Norway. USA has abstained its claims in 2018 due to lack of geological evidence.
2. Maritime Boundary.
The issue of maritime boundary lies in the Beaufort Sea. The Beaufort Sea may be home to millions of cubic meters of hydrocarbon. This is primarily a issue between USA (through Alaska) & Canada. The Canadian position is that the maritime boundary should follow the land boundary. The American position is that the maritime boundary should extend along a path equidistant from the coasts of the two nations.
3. Trade Routes
The issue of trade routes is visible in the Arctic conflict as well. The Northwest Passage is one such geographically important trade route. As global warming defrosts previously frigid waters, new shipping routes are emerging in the Arctic Zone. However, Canada claims that the Northwest Passage is inside its territorial waters. Other nations claim its an international water where free navigation is possible. The reason why Canada is so insistent to claim this passage is it can charge shipping toll and have control over a strategic area.
Another similar route is the Northeastern Passage where Russia has claims similar to Canada.
4. Continent
Finally these nations are also fighting for a piece of land: The Arctic. In economic terms, the Arctic can be home to a vast variety of natural resources. Plus there is the added lure of having control over a continent. This is what the present situation looks like:
In summary, the fight is for:
Natural Resources like hydrocarbons
Maritime Boundaries
Ownership of Arctic
Shipping Routes
CONCLUSION
As the world develops more rapidly, the natural resources are diminishing at a frightening pace. So more and more geopolitical conflicts will be about natural resources rather than border disputes. Some recent examples are disputes in Western Mediterranean, South China Sea & the crisis in Venezuela.
It is unquestionable that the Arctic region is home to large deposits of natural resources.
Russia has an upper hand in this dispute due to its proximity & geography.
As global warming intensifies, new shipping routes will emerge in this area which will cut the cost of shipping drastically.
China has defied my logic by declaring itself as an " near arctic country". This is in lieu of its ambitions to be a global power & be involved in all major conflicts.
In all this chaos & disruption, the ecological balance of Arctic is in shambles. Oil spills & drilling is having a catastrophic effect on the ecosystem.
AN INTRIGUING CONFLICT, DON'T YOU THINK?
STAY TUNED FOR MORE.
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