The Arctic Flashcards

1
Q

How does the Arctic’s oil and gas reserves impact global energy markets?

A
  • Significant untapped reserves could affect global supply and prices
  • Exploration and extraction challenges due to harsh conditions
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2
Q

What are the main natural resources found in the Arctic?

A
  • Oil and gas
  • Minerals (e.g., nickel, copper, diamond)
  • Fish
  • Marine mammals
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3
Q

What are the environmental risks of Arctic resource extraction?

A
  • Oil spills could damage fragile ecosystems
  • Disturbance to wildlife habitats
  • Permafrost melting from infrastructure development
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4
Q

What is the significance of the Arctic for global fishing industries?

A

Home to major commercial fish stocks, providing a significant portion of the world’s fish supply

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5
Q

How do mining activities in the Arctic affect local communities?

A
  • Can bring economic opportunities but also social challenges
  • Environmental concerns from mining operations
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6
Q

What challenges do companies face when extracting Arctic resources?

A

-Extreme weather conditions
- Ice-covered terrain
- Remote locations requiring special logistics

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7
Q

How does climate change impact Arctic natural resource exploitation?

A

Melting ice opens new areas for exploration but raises environmental and sovereignty issues

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8
Q

What role do Indigenous peoples play in the Arctic economy?

A
  • Participate in traditional economic activities like fishing and hunting
  • Involved in modern industries through land rights and agreements
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9
Q

What are the geopolitical implications of Arctic resource exploration?

A

-Territorial disputes over resource-rich areas- Increased military presence

  • Diplomatic tensions among Arctic states
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10
Q

How is sustainable development being pursued in the Arctic?

A
  • Initiatives to minimize environmental impact
  • Investment in renewable energy sources
  • Indigenous community involvement
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11
Q

What international agreements regulate Arctic resource exploitation?

A
  • United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
  • Arctic Council guidelines
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12
Q

How does the Arctic’s tourism industry impact the economy and environment?

A

-Provides economic benefits but risks environmental damage from increased human activity

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13
Q

What renewable energy resources are found in the Arctic?

A
  • Wind and hydroelectric power potential
  • Geothermal energy in some areas
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14
Q

How are Arctic resources critical to the global technology industry?

A

Rare earth minerals essential for electronics and renewable energy technologies

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15
Q

What is the potential impact of Arctic drilling on global oil prices?

A
  • Could increase supply, potentially lowering prices
  • Environmental and operational risks may increase costs
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16
Q

How do shipping routes like the Northern Sea Route affect Arctic economies?

A

Reduce transport times between Asia and Europe, boosting regional trade and economic activity

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17
Q

What are the main environmental concerns associated with Arctic fisheries?

A
  • Overfishing threatening fish populations
  • Impact on marine ecosystems
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18
Q

How do geopolitical interests affect Arctic resource management?

A

-Competition for resources can lead to conflicts

  • Collaborative management efforts through international forums
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19
Q

What technologies are being developed for Arctic resource extraction?

A
  • Ice-resistant drilling platforms
  • Remote-operated vehicles for under-ice exploration
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20
Q

How does global demand for resources drive Arctic exploration?

A

Increasing demand for oil, gas, and minerals motivates exploration despite environmental concerns

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21
Q

What is the impact of Arctic resource development on local wildlife?

A
  • Habitat disruption
  • Potential for oil spills and pollution affecting marine life
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22
Q

How are Arctic countries collaborating on resource exploitation?

A
  • Sharing technology and best practices
  • Joint ventures in exploration and development projects
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23
Q

What economic benefits does Arctic resource development bring to local communities?

A
  • Job creation
    -Infrastructure improvements
  • Revenue from resource extraction
24
Q

How is Arctic resource development regulated to minimize environmental impact?

A
  • Strict environmental regulations and standards
  • Monitoring and impact assessments
25
Name an oil field in the Arctic and describe its significance.
Prudhoe Bay Oil Field, Alaska, USA - North America's largest oil field, significant for US oil production and the subject of environmental and indigenous rights debates.
26
Identify a significant mining operation in the Arctic and its primary resource.
Norilsk Nickel, Russia One of the world's largest producers of nickel and palladium, crucial for global electronics and automotive industries.
27
Give an example of a major Arctic fishing ground and its importance.
Barents Sea, Shared by Norway and Russia One of the world's richest fishing grounds, vital for global cod and haddock supply.
28
Describe a renewable energy project in the Arctic and its impact.
Hydroelectric Power Stations in Norway - Utilize Arctic rivers, significantly contributing to Norway's goal of sustainability and energy export capabilities.
29
What is a controversial Arctic oil exploration project and why?
Shell's Oil Drilling in the Chukchi Sea, Alaska, USA - Faced opposition due to environmental risks, including potential oil spills and threats to marine life.
30
Name an Arctic region impacted by mining and the community concerns involved.
Voisey's Bay Nickel Mine, Canada - Concerns from indigenous communities about environmental impacts and the need for agreements on employment and revenue sharing.
31
What is an example of an Arctic tourism destination and what is its appeal?
Svalbard, Norway - Attracts tourists with its unique polar environment, wildlife (polar bears, walruses), and opportunities for adventure tourism like glacier hiking.
32
Provide an example of a shipping route that benefits from Arctic ice melt and its economic implications.
Northern Sea Route, along Russia's Arctic coast Reduces shipping time between Asia and Europe, impacting global trade dynamics and Arctic sovereignty concerns.
33
Mention a case of indigenous community involvement in Arctic resource management.
Gwich'in Steering Committee opposing drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, USA - Advocates for the protection of caribou habitats and indigenous rights.
34
What are the Arctic Five?
-Canada, Denmark (via Greenland), Norway, Russia, and the United States. These countries have sovereign territory within the Arctic Circle.
35
What is the Arctic Council, and what is its purpose?
An intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination, and interaction among the Arctic States, indigenous communities, and other inhabitants.
36
How does the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) relate to the Arctic?
Provides a legal framework for maritime disputes, territorial waters, and exclusive economic zones, which are relevant for Arctic claims and resource exploitation.
37
Name a significant territorial dispute in the Arctic.
The Lomonosov Ridge dispute between Russia, Canada, and Denmark, each claiming it as an extension of their continental shelf for sovereign rights.
38
How has climate change influenced geopolitical interests in the Arctic?
Melting ice has opened new shipping routes and access to resources, intensifying territorial claims and strategic military interests.
39
What role does NATO play in the Arctic?
Ensures security and stability, conducting military exercises and addressing concerns of member Arctic states against potential threats, including from Russia.
40
How is Russia's military presence in the Arctic viewed by other nations?
As a strategic move to assert control over new shipping routes and resources, raising concerns among NATO members and Arctic states.
41
What are China's interests in the Arctic?
Access to new shipping routes, resource exploration opportunities, and scientific research, positioning itself as a "Near-Arctic State."
42
How do indigenous peoples' rights influence Arctic geopolitics?
Indigenous groups advocate for environmental protection, sustainable development, and a say in resource management, affecting policies and corporate actions.
43
What is the significance of the Northern Sea Route for global shipping?
Offers a shorter route between Europe and Asia, reducing shipping time and costs, with strategic implications for control and access.
44
Describe the geopolitical implications of the United States' interest in Greenland.
Seen as a strategic move to assert military and economic influence in the Arctic, counterbalancing Russia and China's growing presence.
45
What challenges face Arctic governance?
Balancing national interests with environmental protection, indigenous rights, and international cooperation in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
46
How do environmental treaties impact Arctic geopolitics?
Agreements on climate change, pollution, and sustainable development shape policies and cooperation among Arctic and non-Arctic states.
47
What is the significance of the Transpolar Sea Route?
A potential future shipping route across the central Arctic Ocean, becoming navigable due to ice melt, with major geopolitical and economic implications.
48
How do technological advancements affect Arctic geopolitics?
Enable new exploration and extraction methods, changing the strategic value of the region and access to previously unreachable resources.
49
How is global warming reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the Arctic?
Accelerating competition for resources, shipping routes, and strategic territories previously inaccessible due to ice coverage.
50
What role does scientific research play in Arctic geopolitics?
Promotes cooperation among states through shared research initiatives, but also used to support territorial claims and resource rights.
51
How does the concept of "Arctic sovereignty" differ among Arctic states?
Varies based on historical claims, interpretation of international law, and strategic priorities, leading to differing policies and positions.
52
Give an example of a military installation in the Arctic and its strategic importance.
Thule Air Base, Greenland (USA) - The northernmost base of the US Air Force, crucial for missile warning, space surveillance, and as a key point in the strategic defense network.
53
Name a significant Arctic oil exploration project and the countries involved.
Shtokman Field, Russia -One of the world's largest untapped natural gas fields, highlighting Russia's intent to dominate Arctic energy resources.
54
Identify a dispute over Arctic territory and the countries claiming it.
Hans Island Dispute between Canada and Denmark - A small, uninhabited island in the Nares Strait, subject of territorial disputes reflecting the broader competition for Arctic sovereignty.
55
Describe a joint Arctic research initiative and its contributing countries.
The Nansen and Amundsen Basins Observational System (NABOS) - Russia and Norway, among others, collaborate to monitor water column properties in the Arctic Ocean, enhancing understanding of climate change impacts.
56
What is an example of China's investment in the Arctic and its purpose?
Yamal LNG Project - China has significant investments in this Russian liquefied natural gas project, aiming to secure energy resources and strengthen its position in Arctic affairs.