By Cliff Montgomery – July 10th, 2013
Global warming has created a series of conditions in the Arctic which could make the area a national securityconcern, quietly acknowledges a recent congressional study not released to the public.
The report was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). The CRS is a federally-funded ‘thinktank’ – U.S. taxpayers shell out more than $112 million every year to fund its research. Its straightforward, non-partisan reports – written for members of Congress – explain current political events in a manner that is easilygrasped by anyone with an American high school education.
So it’s odd that Congress does not allow this agency to release its unclassified publications directly to thepublic.
Below, The American Spark quotes the report’s summary:
“The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightenedinterest in, and concerns about, the region’s future. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic countryand has substantial interests in the region. On May 10, 2013, the Obama Administration released a nationalstrategy document for the Arctic region.
“Record low extents of Arctic sea ice over the past decade have focused scientific and policy attention on linksto global climate change and projected ice-free seasons in the Arctic within decades. These changes havepotential consequences for weather in the United States, access to mineral and biological resources in theArctic, the economies and cultures of peoples in the region, and national security.
“The five Arctic coastal states — the United States, Canada, Russia, Norway, and Denmark (of whichGreenland is a territory) — are in the process of preparing Arctic territorial claims for submission to theCommission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. The Russian claim to the enormous underwaterLomonosov Ridge, if accepted, would reportedly grant Russia nearly one-half of the Arctic area.
“There are also four other unresolved Arctic territorial disputes.
“The diminishment of Arctic ice could lead in coming years to increased commercial shipping on two trans-Arctic sea routes — the Northern Sea Route and the Northwest Passage. Current international guidelines forships operating in Arctic waters are being updated.
“Changes to the Arctic brought about by warming temperatures will likely allow more exploration for oil, gas,and minerals.
“Warming that causes permafrost to melt could pose challenges to onshore exploration activities.
“Increased oil and gas exploration and tourism (cruise ships) in the Arctic increase the risk of pollution in theregion. Cleaning up oil spills in ice-covered waters will be more difficult than in other areas, primarily becauseeffective strategies have yet to be developed.
“Large commercial fisheries exist in the Arctic. The United States is currently meeting with other countriesregarding the management of Arctic fish stocks. Changes in the Arctic could affect threatened andendangered species. Under the Endangered Species Act, the polar bear was listed as threatened on May 15,2008.
“Arctic climate change is also expected to affect the economies, health, and cultures of Arctic indigenouspeoples.
“Two of the Coast Guard’s three polar icebreakers — Polar Star and Polar Sea — have exceeded theirintended 30-year service lives, and Polar Sea is not operational. The possibility of increased sea traffic throughArctic waters raises an issue concerning Arctic search and rescue capabilities. On May 12, 2011,representatives from the member states of the Arctic Council signed an agreement on cooperation onaeronautical and maritime search and rescue in the Arctic.
“The Arctic has increasingly become a subject of discussion among political leaders of the nations in theregion. Although there is significant international cooperation on Arctic issues, the Arctic is also increasinglybeing viewed by some observers as a potential emerging security issue. In varying degrees, the Arctic coastalstates have indicated a willingness to establish and maintain a military presence in the high north.
“U.S. military forces, particularly the Navy and Coast Guard, have begun to pay more attention to the region.On May 21, 2013, the Coast Guard released a strategy document for the Arctic.”
