The Arctic Gold Rush

This book presents a fascinating study of the impact Arctic reserves have - and will continue to have - on the global political and environmental stages. On 2 August 2007, a Russian submarine captured world headlines by making a dangerous journey to the bottom of the Arctic seabed and planting a metal, rust-free national flag more than 14,000 feet beneath the North Pole. The aim was to assert Russia's legal sovereignty over a region whose importance had only recently started to become apparent as its melting ice had made, or was expected to make, vast natural resources open to exploitation. The latest estimates are that the region holds around 13 per cent of the world's undiscovered oil and as much as 30 per cent of undiscovered natural gas reserves that would be hugely profitable for any country that managed to secure control over them. Gold, platinum, copper and other precious metals have also been found along the coast. Neighbouring countries - Russia, the United States, Canada, Denmark and Norway - are already doing everything they can to mark out new borders. The ensuing political disagreements over the issue are already rife. In particular, games of political intrigue between Moscow and Washington are being played out in the region. But as the world's resources become increasingly scarce and valuable, could the scramble for Arctic resources become violent? Could a 'War for the Arctic' be fought?