The Arctic Flashcards

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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
Q

Name an oil field in the Arctic and describe its significance.

A

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
Q

Identify a significant mining operation in the Arctic and its primary resource.

A

Norilsk Nickel, Russia

One of the world’s largest producers of nickel and palladium, crucial for global electronics and automotive industries.

27
Q

Give an example of a major Arctic fishing ground and its importance.

A

Barents Sea,

Shared by Norway and Russia
One of the world’s richest fishing grounds, vital for global cod and haddock supply.

28
Q

Describe a renewable energy project in the Arctic and its impact.

A

Hydroelectric Power Stations in Norway

  • Utilize Arctic rivers, significantly contributing to Norway’s goal of sustainability and energy export capabilities.
29
Q

What is a controversial Arctic oil exploration project and why?

A

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
Q

Name an Arctic region impacted by mining and the community concerns involved.

A

Voisey’s Bay Nickel Mine, Canada

  • Concerns from indigenous communities about environmental impacts and the need for agreements on employment and revenue sharing.
31
Q

What is an example of an Arctic tourism destination and what is its appeal?

A

Svalbard, Norway

  • Attracts tourists with its unique polar environment, wildlife (polar bears, walruses), and opportunities for adventure tourism like glacier hiking.
32
Q

Provide an example of a shipping route that benefits from Arctic ice melt and its economic implications.

A

Northern Sea Route, along Russia’s Arctic coast

Reduces shipping time between Asia and Europe, impacting global trade dynamics and Arctic sovereignty concerns.

33
Q

Mention a case of indigenous community involvement in Arctic resource management.

A

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
Q

What are the Arctic Five?

A

-Canada, Denmark (via Greenland), Norway, Russia, and the United States.

These countries have sovereign territory within the Arctic Circle.

35
Q

What is the Arctic Council, and what is its purpose?

A

An intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination, and interaction among the Arctic States, indigenous communities, and other inhabitants.

36
Q

How does the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) relate to the Arctic?

A

Provides a legal framework for maritime disputes, territorial waters, and exclusive economic zones, which are relevant for Arctic claims and resource exploitation.

37
Q

Name a significant territorial dispute in the Arctic.

A

The Lomonosov Ridge dispute between Russia, Canada, and Denmark, each claiming it as an extension of their continental shelf for sovereign rights.

38
Q

How has climate change influenced geopolitical interests in the Arctic?

A

Melting ice has opened new shipping routes and access to resources, intensifying territorial claims and strategic military interests.

39
Q

What role does NATO play in the Arctic?

A

Ensures security and stability, conducting military exercises and addressing concerns of member Arctic states against potential threats, including from Russia.

40
Q

How is Russia’s military presence in the Arctic viewed by other nations?

A

As a strategic move to assert control over new shipping routes and resources, raising concerns among NATO members and Arctic states.

41
Q

What are China’s interests in the Arctic?

A

Access to new shipping routes, resource exploration opportunities, and scientific research, positioning itself as a “Near-Arctic State.”

42
Q

How do indigenous peoples’ rights influence Arctic geopolitics?

A

Indigenous groups advocate for environmental protection, sustainable development, and a say in resource management, affecting policies and corporate actions.

43
Q

What is the significance of the Northern Sea Route for global shipping?

A

Offers a shorter route between Europe and Asia, reducing shipping time and costs, with strategic implications for control and access.

44
Q

Describe the geopolitical implications of the United States’ interest in Greenland.

A

Seen as a strategic move to assert military and economic influence in the Arctic, counterbalancing Russia and China’s growing presence.

45
Q

What challenges face Arctic governance?

A

Balancing national interests with environmental protection, indigenous rights, and international cooperation in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

46
Q

How do environmental treaties impact Arctic geopolitics?

A

Agreements on climate change, pollution, and sustainable development shape policies and cooperation among Arctic and non-Arctic states.

47
Q

What is the significance of the Transpolar Sea Route?

A

A potential future shipping route across the central Arctic Ocean, becoming navigable due to ice melt, with major geopolitical and economic implications.

48
Q

How do technological advancements affect Arctic geopolitics?

A

Enable new exploration and extraction methods, changing the strategic value of the region and access to previously unreachable resources.

49
Q

How is global warming reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the Arctic?

A

Accelerating competition for resources, shipping routes, and strategic territories previously inaccessible due to ice coverage.

50
Q

What role does scientific research play in Arctic geopolitics?

A

Promotes cooperation among states through shared research initiatives, but also used to support territorial claims and resource rights.

51
Q

How does the concept of “Arctic sovereignty” differ among Arctic states?

A

Varies based on historical claims, interpretation of international law, and strategic priorities, leading to differing policies and positions.

52
Q

Give an example of a military installation in the Arctic and its strategic importance.

A

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
Q

Name a significant Arctic oil exploration project and the countries involved.

A

Shtokman Field, Russia

-One of the world’s largest untapped natural gas fields, highlighting Russia’s intent to dominate Arctic energy resources.

54
Q

Identify a dispute over Arctic territory and the countries claiming it.

A

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
Q

Describe a joint Arctic research initiative and its contributing countries.

A

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
Q

What is an example of China’s investment in the Arctic and its purpose?

A

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.