superpowers and causes of tension Flashcards
How much of the globes undiscovered gas and oil sit below the Arctic ocean?
1/4
What might lead to conflict over the resources in the Arctic?
rising demand , pressure to extract oil is increasing
What is making exploitation of the Arctic more likely?
Receding polar ice (climate change)
What is causing territory and boundary disputes in the Arctic?
UNCLOS
What is UNCLOS?
states a country may claim the sea bed (&resources within it) that lie within 200 nautical miles of its coastline
What is the 200 nautical mile zone from UNCLOS called?
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
Why does UNCLOS cause disputes?
As there are several claims o parts of Arctic and some overlap leading to political and military disputes in the area
What are some ways the UNCLOS members are preparing to claim the Arctic?
Canada has carried out military exercises in the Arctic
Norway has expanded its navy
Russia carries out Arctic bomber patrols
Denmark is creating an Arctic military command & response force
What might make drilling in the Arctic viable?
Due to unconventional methods oil prices will need to be high so companies still make a profit
Other then oil and gas what is another benefit of climate change affecting the Arctic?
benefitting trade shipping routes reducing distance travelled and speeding up transportation time possibly making goods cheaper if they are more available
How many ships used the summer melt period to access trade in the Arctic? (2014)
71 cargo ships (46 in 2012)
What is the Arctic council?
Intergovernmental group tasked with managing the Arctic region
Who are the members of the Arctic council?
USA
Canada
Denmark
Finland
Iceland
Norway
Sweden
Russia
Who took over as chair of the Arctic council in 2015?
USA
What is the possible problem with USA being chair of the Arctic council?
May be some bias and favour towards some countries over others
