There's been a lot of talk about the arctic recently. Apparently it was all started by the russians, who decided after taking an underwater survey that a ridge of land juts out of russia into the arctic ocean, meaning that Russia somehow has a claim over some of the ocean floor, which might be useful if some of that pesky ice melts away so they can get at the gas and oil
Link 1: article in globe and mail on russian plans to claim arctic seabed
Link 2: article in the globe and mail, on the russian planting of a flag on the seabed of the north pole.
Then we heard that Canada wasn't gonna take that lightly, and Harper was going to buy some ice-strengthened boats to patrol the North, which some people felt wasn't much of a plan, since he'd originally promised REAL ice-breakers. He also announced that millions of dollars would be spent on establishing a military presence near the northwest passage, which may one day be a useful thing to own.
Link3: article in globe and mail on the planned purchase of ice-strengthened boats for patrolling the arctic
Now the Danes have stepped in, saying that the ridge of land russia is talking about might be joined to greenland, which is Danish territory, and they've sent some people to the north pole to collect data.
Link 4: article in globe and mail on danish expedition
So the only other nation likely to make waves is the USA, with claims via Alaska. An interesting tidbit here is that the USA is the only nation of the four who didn't ratify the UN treaty on the law of the sea. Perhaps one day they'll just wander up there with thousands of missiles and claim the whole arctic ocean for themselves...
Link 1: article in globe and mail on russian plans to claim arctic seabed
Link 2: article in the globe and mail, on the russian planting of a flag on the seabed of the north pole.
Then we heard that Canada wasn't gonna take that lightly, and Harper was going to buy some ice-strengthened boats to patrol the North, which some people felt wasn't much of a plan, since he'd originally promised REAL ice-breakers. He also announced that millions of dollars would be spent on establishing a military presence near the northwest passage, which may one day be a useful thing to own.
Link3: article in globe and mail on the planned purchase of ice-strengthened boats for patrolling the arctic
Now the Danes have stepped in, saying that the ridge of land russia is talking about might be joined to greenland, which is Danish territory, and they've sent some people to the north pole to collect data.
Link 4: article in globe and mail on danish expedition
So the only other nation likely to make waves is the USA, with claims via Alaska. An interesting tidbit here is that the USA is the only nation of the four who didn't ratify the UN treaty on the law of the sea. Perhaps one day they'll just wander up there with thousands of missiles and claim the whole arctic ocean for themselves...