The Arctic: The New frontier?

THE ARCTIC IS NOW VIEWED AS A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY 

A CONSEQUENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Recently more attention has been placed on the opportunities in the Arctic due to climate change. The largest claimed land masses are Russia, Canada and Greenland, which still a protectorate of Denmark. There are also claims from the United States, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

Russia has several large cities north of the arctic circle Murmansk population 295,374 and Norlisk 178,018. Norway, Sweden and Finland have cities north of the circle. North American population north of the Arctic circle in United States, Canadian  and Greenland cities are all less than 10,000. 

The estimated resources that will become available in the Arctic is now over $40 Trillion. 

Russia is far ahead of the the rest of the world in the exploration and research in this region.  One reason is that it has a long history of developing assets in cold climates. Their scientific community has mostly come to the conclusion that climate change is occurring, but that human actions are not able to change that phenomenon.They view climate change as an inevitable occurrence and have been working for decades to adapt to this new opportunity. They also have built the most advanced naval fleet for the exploration of the Arctic.

The opportunities in the Arctic have not gone unnoticed by other nations, even though they are far behind the Russians in actually taking serious actions. In fact, it has been suggested by some in the U.S. that a cooperative effort should be undertaken with Norway in the exploration of the changing opportunities in Greenland. There has even been the suggestion of the outright purchase of Greenland from Norway.

It is also recorded that the earths Axis is moving North and West now at the rate of 48 feet a year and is increasing in velocity, this also in time will possibly make a difference in the climate of these northern regions.

Russia occupies almost half of the shoreline north of the Arctic circle and will also have access to much of the offshore possibilities. 

China and Russia are now negotiating a  joint economic cooperation agreement in the Arctic. 

It seems inevitable that such economic investments will be countered by other nations and a possible competition for the resources of the Arctic may be soon underway. 

While much of the population of the world has settled in the most comfortable environments, will that someday change into a actual migration toward the north and south poles?  Much will have to do if climate change will continue in one direction or will it possibly reverse course and throw the best plans and intentions of humans into disarray.