experts
Scott Borgerson
CEO, CargoMetrics and Cofounder, Arctic Circle
Lawson Brigham
Distinguished Professor of Geography and Arctic Policy, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Michael Byers
Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law, University of British Columbia
Heather Conley
Senior Fellow and Director of the Europe Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Marlene Laruelle
Research Professor of International Affairs, George Washington University
further-reading
General/Overview
Changes in the Arctic (February 2014)
This wide-ranging report from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service reviews U.S. policy in the Arctic and the implications of climate change for regional security and commerce.
Demystifying the Arctic (January 2014)
A panel of experts convened by the World Economic Forum challenges common notions that the Arctic is an ungoverned wilderness or a geopolitical tinderbox.
Arctic Yearbook (2013)
A project of the of the Northern Research Forum and the University of the Arctic, this annual publication is a leading scholarly journal covering the geopolitics of the Circumpolar North.
The Future of the Arctic (April 2013)
In this CFR meeting, Icelandic president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson and maritime expert Scott Borgerson discuss how some governments are moving more intently than others in the Arctic.
The Melting North (June 2012)
Growing commercial activity in the Arctic, including energy exploration and shipping, could upset the region’s delicate natural balance and hasten global climate change, explains this special series from the Economist.
The Race for the Arctic (2006– )
This long-running series from Der Spiegel, which includes articles, background features, and opinion pieces, explores the spectrum of Arctic issues from a European perspective.
Economic Prospects
Arctic Opening (2012)
This in-depth report from Chatham House and Lloyd’s of London provides policymakers and executives with practical guidance on managing the unique risks and economic opportunities emerging in the high latitudes.
Arctic Economics in the 21st Century (July 2013)
Center for Strategic and International Studies senior fellow Heather Conley evaluates the economic benefits of an opening Arctic and the potential costs of exploiting the region’s bounty. The report sketches a national strategy for the development of the U.S. Arctic.
The Future of Arctic Shipping (November 2013)
The steady retreat of Arctic sea ice in the coming decades will open seasonal shipping lanes, but Arctic routes will not become a “new Silk Road for China,” says this report from the Arctic Institute.
Geopolitics and the Northern Sea Route (January 2012)
The emergence of new seasonal shipping lanes in the Arctic could have dramatic effects on global power dynamics, explains foreign policy expert Margaret Blunden.
Opportunities and Challenges for Arctic Oil and Gas Development (January 2014)
Largely focused on offshore energy in North America, this paper from the Wilson Center and Eurasia Group examines the prospects for oil and gas development across the Arctic region, with lessons drawn from the experiences of Norway and Russia.
Arctic Oil and Gas (2013)
Ernst & Young briefly analyzes the oil and gas potential of each Arctic Ocean coastal state, and compares the attractiveness of various investment opportunities.
Sovereignty, Security, and Diplomacy
Chill Out (May 2012)
This Brookings Institution report assesses the Arctic’s growing foreign policy significance, concluding that strong prospects for multilateral diplomacy in the region make interstate conflict there unlikely.
Arctic Strategies and Policies (April 2012)
Lassi Heininen of the University of Lapland compares the Arctic strategies of the region’s eight proximate states and the European Union.
The Newly Emerging Arctic Security Environment (March 2010)
Despite their rhetoric of international cooperation, Arctic states are preparing for potential conflict in the Arctic, explains Canadian military expert Rob Huebert.
The National Interest and Law of the Sea (2009)
In this CFR report, maritime expert Scott Borgerson highlights the strategic significance of the oceans for U.S. foreign policy, arguing that Washington should accede to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Environmental Protection
Arctic Standards (September 2013)
New safety and oil-spill prevention policies must be adopted to mitigate the risks posed by offshore energy development in the U.S. Arctic, explains this in-depth report from The Pew Charitable Trusts
International Governance and Regulation of the Marine Arctic (February 2010)
This report from the World Wildlife Fund advocates a new multilateral agreement on Arctic environmental defense that would promote ecosystem-wide management.
educational-resources
These discussion questions, essay questions, activities and assignments, and supplementary resources are designed to help educators use the “The Emerging Arctic” InfoGuide in the classroom through an active, learner-centered approach.
Discussion Questions
Ideas for questions to use in facilitating full-class discussions, assigning small group discussion topics, or posting on a class discussion board. Questions allow students to critically reflect on the material provided in the InfoGuide and hone their communication skills.
Essay Questions
Suggestions for essay topics that enable students to dive deeper into the material found in the InfoGuide and conduct their own research and analysis.
Activities and Assignments
In-class activity ideas and homework assignments based on “The Emerging Arctic” that promote participatory learning and critical thinking. These can be adapted based on students’ levels and classroom needs. For high school teachers, these activities are accompanied by a list and description of the Common Core State Standards they meet.