Circumpolar News
Who does the Arctic belong to? 
(Voice of Russia, 9 November 2011) -- Who has a right to a share of “the Arctic pie”, only coastal nations or all of the countries of the world? The coastal countries insist that the Arctic Region is their domain, and geographically, they have a reason for thinking so. While trying to settle any issues of discord within the Arctic Council, Russia, the United States, Canada, Norway and Denmark have each developed their own strategy for tapping the resources of the disputed region. In September 2008, Russia adopted The Basic Principles of State Policy regarding the Arctic, and Norway its Northern Strategy. In January 2009, the United States passed its Arctic Doctrine, and in the summer of 2009 Canada introduced its Northern Strategy. Some of the provisions of the four strategies overlap. The Arctic Region is described as a strategic resource base for each of the nations and for the world as a whole. In addition, each state is to undertake the tasks of developing the economic and social spheres, protecting the environment, improving the management of, and promoting scientific research in its sector of the Arctic. ... This [past] summer, a Chinese businessman acquired 300 square kilometers of wilderness in the northeast of Iceland. This might be Beijing’s first move towards claiming part of the Arctic. The Arctic states are sure, however, that they are capable of addressing the problems facing the region on their own. Whatever the outcome, given that resources from the Arctic will be supplied to other countries as well, the development of the Arctic will benefit all countries of the world.
Posted 10 November 2011; 2:25:11 PM. Permalink
Tagged: Circumpolar News, Governance, International, November11
Alaskans weathering epic Bering Sea storm
(Anchorage Daily News, 10 November 2011) -- A giant Bering Sea storm with hurricane-force winds roared up the Western Alaska coastline Wednesday, sending waves over storm barriers, knocking out electricity, flooding parts of some villages and leading to evacuations. But as of late Wednesday, officials had heard no reports of injuries nor massive damage.
Posted 10 November 2011; 10:07:04 AM. Permalink
Tagged: Alaska, Circumpolar News, Climate change and weather, North Pacific, November11
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