Driven by Nature: The Future of the Arctic
Because of climate change, the Arctic is transitioning to an ice-free future that will open new trade routes and exploit the polar region's vast natural resources amid the receding ice pack. Russia, Norway, Denmark, Canada, the United States, and international organizations are all vying to access these resources. Read the qualitative analysis in this chapter to explore the complexities of international treaties that govern the Arctic and the prospects of innovative multilateral agreements.
How does the changing landscape create a need for political and environmental balance? What are some new opportunities for businesses, economies, and human development?
Conclusion
The Arctic region is in the midst of a natural breakthrough process to an icefree future, in which great economic development and political cooperation are possible. It is an excellent example for the purposes of our book of an ongoing breakthrough process, but unlike other chapters, this breakthrough is in the near future.
These changes create a new environmental balance and new levels of human access. This access, in turn, creates opportunities for business, economic and human development. On the national and international level, we can identify visions, policy concepts, strategies, and plans for implementation. We can identify innovative new mechanisms and cooperation in logistics, markets, safety, and security. This natural breakthrough process at the macro level is leading to human breakthroughs at the international level, which in turn are driving breakthroughs at national levels. Which of the process elements are the most decisive? It appears to be the international vision.