Climate change will have untold social, economic and political consequences in the future. In recent years, the combination of melting polar ice, military buildup, thirst for natural resources and demand for lucrative trade routes has pushed many countries into the geopolitical battle of Arctic sovereignty. Through its historic, legal claims and its leading records in the treatment of indigenous populations; as well as its commitment to protecting the Arctic environmentally, economically and militarily. Canada has the strongest claim to sovereignty in the Arctic region among Arctic states.
After World War II and the founding of the United Nations, land and maritime disputes decreased as nations agreed to recognize each other’s national borders …show more content…
The United Nations convention on Law of the Sea states countries may extend their exclusive economic zone beyond 200 nautical miles and their territorial waters 12 nautical miles from the shore, if the country proves nearby land is theirs (McPherson 23). Today, 40% of Canada’s land mass is in the Arctic region, 100,000 Canadians live in the region, 80% of whom identify as indigenous. The Arctic coastline comprises 75% of Canadian shoreline. Canada has 36,000 Arctic islands and shares three-quarters of Arctic Ocean coastline with Russia (Bonikowsky). However, international opportunism has led countries such as the United States to claim the Northwest Passage that lies within the Arctic Archipelago as an international strait belonging to all. The benefits of a Northwest Passage open to all nations is clear. The Northwest Passage is opening during the summer months due to melting sea ice. The Passage will introduce a new phase globalization, as the mega ports of the North Atlantic and North Pacific will be connected via a shorter, cheaper route for shipping companies and navies (Parks 29-31). Ships may avoid the politically unstable Middle East and pirates in the South China Sea (Borgerson).
After World War II and the founding of the United Nations, land and maritime disputes decreased as nations agreed to recognize each other’s national borders …show more content…
The United Nations convention on Law of the Sea states countries may extend their exclusive economic zone beyond 200 nautical miles and their territorial waters 12 nautical miles from the shore, if the country proves nearby land is theirs (McPherson 23). Today, 40% of Canada’s land mass is in the Arctic region, 100,000 Canadians live in the region, 80% of whom identify as indigenous. The Arctic coastline comprises 75% of Canadian shoreline. Canada has 36,000 Arctic islands and shares three-quarters of Arctic Ocean coastline with Russia (Bonikowsky). However, international opportunism has led countries such as the United States to claim the Northwest Passage that lies within the Arctic Archipelago as an international strait belonging to all. The benefits of a Northwest Passage open to all nations is clear. The Northwest Passage is opening during the summer months due to melting sea ice. The Passage will introduce a new phase globalization, as the mega ports of the North Atlantic and North Pacific will be connected via a shorter, cheaper route for shipping companies and navies (Parks 29-31). Ships may avoid the politically unstable Middle East and pirates in the South China Sea (Borgerson).