The impact of climate change in the Arctic. Geopolitical issues

Abstract

Climate changes have a profound impact on the geography, economy, politics, and geopolitics of the Arctic. The five Arctic states (USA, Canada, Russian Federation, Denmark and Norway) are more and more aware of their Arctic dimension. Therefore they have tried to incorporate it into their national policies and the multilateral cooperation formats they are part of.
Climate change has generated a growing interest among the Arctic states in an increased regional cooperation. The Arctic states are trying to solve all the bilateral disputes in order to extend the exclusive economic zones beyond 200 nm (according to the Montego Bay Convention on the Law of the Sea), to exploit the natural resources of the region and to take benefit of the new transport routes.
The military exercises in the region, the review of military capabilities and the joint research and mapping expeditions are meant to strengthen the sovereignty of the countries bordering the Arctic.