Presently, there are at least eight Arctic Countries with claims to the Arctic or Specific Northern Lands. Of course, there is ever present United States of America making claims to Canada and Greenland and attempting to expand its territories around Alaska. Nations that share the northland are Russia, Denmark(Greenland), Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. Each country diplomatically and militarily makes the lives of the other nations more difficult as they compete for these lands’ economic and strategic importance. A Geopolitical competition exists, striving for the international ownership of the last above the ocean frontier. In fact, those who will own these territories will also command the waterways with all the fish, energy products and minerals contained in the oceans and land.
Canada is facing a huge challenge from its political rivals, America, the EU(Denmark), Russia and even other nations that do not border the Arctic. China has laid claim to this land, as have The Iranian Republic too. Nations throw their lot into the competition, hoping to gain something out of it once it has been resolved. What do we and all the other nations want out of this competitive situation?
Massive deposits of Oil, Natural Gas, Ore such as lithium, cobalt, Nickel and Copper and high reserves of various fish and wildlife desired by a hungry world.
Control of the most highly prized strategic region on the planet. America can construct its dome of protection, Russia can control this region with its nuclear subs, and the EU can expand its influence to North America.
The Military see’s the Arctic as a virgin territory ready to be conquered and protectively harvested. Various Trans-Continental Corporations are prepared to throw in their lot and funds into what can only be described as a financial Shangri-La. While the globe has been harvested to the brink of exhaustion, the Arctic waits for the eventual Rape and Pillage of its resources. While some nations look to the Arctic as a place that needs environmental protection and political respect, most others cannot see beyond the trillions of dollars that will profit them over time. Profit seems to be a primary need, with environmental protection a secondary issue.
America is making claims for the Canadian and Greenland territories. Financial and Economic tools such as tariffs and embargoes are being used to bully these two nations with the hope that they will surrender their identity in exchange for being a part of the most powerful nation on this planet. Will the EU allow this bullying of its member, Denmark(Greenland)? Can Canada withstand American intentions and strive to build its economy based upon self-reliance and the global marketplace?
The Northland is a harsh environment that challenges all who enter it unprepared. The massive amounts of investment required for the harvesting of the North’s Treasures can bankrupt a nation, and with public funds being scarce, will our last frontier fall into the hands of immoral profiteering trans-national corporations? Can Iceland, Greenland and Canada not only survive this challenge but also persevere?
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
