The

Arctic

Landgrab

Who owns the Arctic?

•In August 2007, Artur Chilingarov led a team of 5 explorers from other countries to find the true North Pole, 14,000 metres below the ice.

•On arrival, he planted a Russian flag on the seabed, saying “The Arctic is Russian. We must prove the North Pole is an extension of the Russian landmass”.

•This sparked a landgrab, which involved Russia, Denmark, Canada, the USA and Norway.

Reference: The Independent

What laws do countries abide by?

From the United Nations Convention On The Law Of The Sea:

Claims must not extend beyond:

•350 nautical miles from the shore or 100nm past a water depth of 2,500 metres

•60nm from the foot of the continental slope or a minimum thickness of sediment.

Reference: National Geographic

Why are they claiming?USGS has said that about 30% of the world's undiscovered gas and 13% of the world's undiscovered oil may be found north of the Arctic Circle

•More than 400 oil and gas fields have already been discovered in the Arctic Circle.

•As the ice retreats, it opens up important shipping lanes and improves accessibility.

•Receding ice caps mean that the seabed can be mapped more accurately than ever before.

• Could lead to further exploration for oil and gas- this could lead to an increase in Climate Change.

Reference: Scientific American

Ice on Fire•Methane trapped in the ice can be burnt to produce energy.

•Methane is seen as a solution to the energy crisis- when burnt, it produces half the Carbon Dioxide that the combustion of coal creates.

•When solely used, this methane could last over 100 years.

•Leaking Methane could help exacerbate Global Warming- pound for pound, it is 20 times more powerful at heating the air than Carbon Dioxide.

Nature’s Riches

ADVANTAGES

•Jobs created

•Some money invested in local community

•Attracts people to the arctic

•Arctic tourists bring different lifestyles and may improve the quality of life for the indigenous population.

Nature’s Riches

DISADVANTAGES

•Could melt permafrost

•Tundra could be destroyed due to oil spills

•The area is tectonically active

•Migration routes could be blocked

What are the effects?Case Study: Hammerfest, Norway

• Newly built liquefied gas plant (StatoilHydro) receives fuel by pipeline from Snohvit field 90 miles away.

•Pays $22 million a year in property taxes- helps to fund local projects including education, transport and culture.

•StatoilHydro will inject separated Carbon Dioxide into the seabed, making it one of the world’s cleanest petrol producers.

•Few people are aware that the plant contributes greatly to the destruction of the ice sheet.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• http://www.discoveringthearctic.org.uk/• The Independent• National Geographic• Scientific American• New York Times• BBC News• Durham University• New Scientist