Jim Carter Comments on Northwest Passage

With the rapid retreat of Arctic ice, the Northwest Passage finally may become a reality, giving a northern route linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.  The potential accessibility to the Arctic in combination with increasing demand for energy and mineral resources portends competition between those nations claiming sovereignty in this area: Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia and the United States. 

Without the ability to navigate and explore the Arctic in detail, the nations and states bordering the Arctic Ocean have been able to posture and draw boundaries on maps.  But now that it looks like ships will soon be moving through this territory and firms will be exploring for and accessing resources, reality comes to the fore.  Within the past year Russia planted a flag on the ocean floor at the North Pole.  That act does not give them any rights, but it signals intentions.

Many maps of the Arctic show the national boundaries of one or more of the five countries extending to the North Pole.  So, any lengthy passage through the Arctic will require crossing national boundaries. 

We will see many interesting arguments advanced as to who has rights and responsibilities in the Arctic in coming years.  Note that arguments advanced in the Arctic may not be consistent with arguments advanced in other parts of the world.  So, get a good map centered on the North Pole and watch the fights.

To interview Carter, contact him at (309) 438-2833 or at jrcarter@ilstu.edu