The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human
activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and
concerns about, the region's future. The United States, by virtue
of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial interests in
the region. On January 12, 2009, the George W. Bush Administration
released a presidential directive, called National Security
Presidential Directive 66/Homeland Security Presidential Directive
25 (NSPD 66/HSPD 25), establishing a new U.S. policy for the Arctic
region. Record low extent of Arctic sea ice in 2007 focused
scientific and policy attention on its linkage to global climate
change, and to the implications of projected ice-free seasons in
the Arctic within decades. The Arctic has been projected by several
scientists to be perennially ice-free in the late summer by the
late 2030s. The five Arctic coastal states-the United States,
Canada, Russia, Norway, and Denmark (of which Greenland is a
territory)-are in the process of preparing Arctic territorial
claims for submission to the Commission on the Limits of the
Continental Shelf. The Russian claim to the enormous underwater
Lomonosov 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 for ships 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 the region. Cleaning up oil
spills in ice-covered waters will be more difficult than in other
areas, primarily because effective strategies have yet to be
developed. Large commercial fisheries exist in the Arctic. The
United States is currently meeting with other countries regarding
the management of Arctic fish stocks. Changes in the Arctic could
affect threatened and endangered 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 indigenous peoples. Two
of the Coast Guard's three polar icebreakers-Polar Star and Polar
Sea-have exceeded their intended 30-year service lives and are
currently not operational. The possibility of increased sea traffic
through Arctic waters also 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 on aeronautical and maritime search and rescue in the
Arctic. The Arctic has increasingly become a subject of discussion
among political leaders of the nations in the region. Although
there is significant international cooperation on Arctic issues,
the Arctic is also increasingly being viewed by some observers as a
potential emerging security issue. In varying degrees, the Arctic
coastal states 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.
General
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