Superpowers - EQ3 - 7.7 Flashcards
(57 cards)
It is estimated that …% of the world’s remaining undiscovered oil and gas may be located under
the Arctic Ocean.
25%
……………. is making exploitation of Arctic resources more ………
- Receding polar ice
- logistically and economically viable
What does UNCLOS state about the artic
- countries can claim the
- right to exploit resources in an area up to 200 nautical miles beyond their coastline (an Exclusive Economic Zone)
who have competing EEZs in the Atriz
- Russia, the USA, Canada, Denmark (which owns Greenland), Iceland, Finland and Norway
Why is UNCLOS not providing sufficient protection to the artic
- Recent claims from Norway Canada, Denmark, USA and Russia all seek to extend their territorial claim and allow mining
- A new code of practice set out by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) would permit mining
What is the artic’s value in terms of minerals
- Rare minerals are also present, with US Geological Survey (USGS) evaluating the area as the world’s largest area of undeveloped rare earth minerals
Give an example of territorial disputes in the artic
- The Lomonosov ridge is an area of undersea mountains, Canada, Russia and Greenland all have claimed EEZ extensions, which are disputed by others, and lodged these with the UN (which ultimately rules on them)
- Since 2007, military patrols and activity have increased in the Arctic, as each country shows how interested it is in the area, and willing to defend its claims
What is the risk of resource exploitation in the artic
- Any attempt to drill for oil and gas in the Arctic could become a source of diplomatic if not actual conflict
- In addition, the risks of environmental disaster from oil spills is high in one of the few remaining pristine ecosystems on the planet also with a large indigenous population (Inuit)
Currently, no natural resources are exploited………………., but the attitudes of countries may change if….
- in Antarctica, and few in the Arctic
- resources are depleted elsewhere, leaving only these protected places as sources of minerals and fossil fuels
Resource exploitation in the Arctic
What has Norway done
- Norway has granted licences for the exploration for oil and gas in the Barents Sea
Resource exploitation in the Arctic
What have Russia done
- The first offshore oil platform in the Arctic was set up in 2013 and is operated by Gazprom the Russian energy company
Resource exploitation in the Arctic
What have the USA done
- The US has recently approved the Willow project in the north of Alaska
- This will allow drilling for an estimated 600 million barrels of oil
Give examples of tensions in the Artic Circle - Russia
- Russia has reintroduced a military presence making improvements to bases in the north of Russia
Give examples of tensions in the Artic Circle - Norway
- Norway has focussed investments in the military in the north of the country
- NATO exercise Cold Response in 2022 was led by Norway and based around conflict in the Arctic
Give examples of tensions in the Artic Circle - Canada
- The Canadian Armed Forces have engaged in a number of military exercises with the US military bases around defending their claim in the Arctic
- Exercise Arctic Edge and Ice Exercise in 2022
how can claiming new territory be done in the artic
- invasion and conquest of another country’s territory, which is rare
- claiming offshore, undersea resources by extending a country’s EEZ, which is more common
Who decides on EEZ borders in teh event of a dispute
UN
Describe the Lomonosov ridge conflict
Both Russia and Denmark (Greenland) claim sovereignty over this undersea land mass that extends from Russia to Greenland which may contain 70 billion barrel oil deposits
What artic military developments were there in 2018
- NATO conducts Arctic war games with 50,000 troops from 31 nations in Norway
- Russia, China & Mongolia conduct war games in Vostok with 300,00 troops taking part
How could the artic affect the power status of Denmark
Give additional power to Denmark (just a small company) through its strategic location – also its environmental stance
How could the artic affect the power status of UNCLOS
Could weaken UNCLOS power if superpowers disagrees with rulings
How could the artic affect the power status of China
- China may increase power if it has technology to navigate before others, but could decrease due to no legitimate territorial claims
How could the artic affect the power status of UNCLOS
Could weaken UNCLOS power if superpowers disagrees with rulings
China may increase power if it has technology to navigate before others, but could decrease due to no legitimate territorial claims
Economic power through drilling leases NB Greenland is no longer releasing any more leases in order to concentrate on HEP and protect the environment. USA is see-sawing over the issue depending on politics: Trump approves leases., Biden has suspended them under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Price of oil, how quickly the Arctic melts and becomes easier to navigate, military position
How could the artic affect the power status of America
- USA is see-sawing over the issue depending on politics: Trump approves leases., Biden has suspended them under the National Environmental Policy Act.