The Arctic Region

A historical perspective of the Arctic region in the 21st Century is presented in this chapter, giving the reader an in-depth outlook on the Arctic and the challenges before the world concerning the administration and governance of the region in the context of global warming resulting in climate changeArcticclimate changes, the consequent impact on the resources of the region; and the potential for trade and shipping routes. The researcher has also focused on the unique role of submarines in the Arctic from the 1930s to the ‘Cold War’ and the contribution of submarines to research activities in the Arctic region. It is highlighted that the Arctic ice had shrunk to its lowest level in 2012 since recordkeeping commenced in 1979. Although there has been no consistent decrease since then, scientists and climatologists have forecast that the Arctic could be ice-free during summers by as early as 2035. This phenomenon has been attributed to cyclic changes in the earth’s weather patterns, which have seen varying temperatures in the contemporary period, due to global warming attributed to the unprecedented release of heat-trapping methane gas, growing commercial activity in the region and the attributes of the growing human footprint. Apart from this, this chapter focused on the concerns of the Arctic littoral states that are closely monitoring the ongoing developments in the region. Pursuant to these concerns, the Arctic states have taken several proactive measures for the governance of the area through the Arctic Council to ensure that various scientific, environmental, commercial and human activities take place sustainably so as to preserve the pristine environment of the Arctic while promoting polar science, providing peace and security in the region and ensuring cooperation by working together towards a shared future. In recent years, several Asian states have been competing for political influence in the Arctic region. China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and India officially became Arctic Council observer states on May 15 2013. The chapter highlighted that the Arctic region was an arena of intense geopolitical strategic competition even in the 20th Century, and this was initiated when the US nuclear submarine Nautilus reached the geographic North Pole on August 3, 1958. Arctic warming has arguably already revived new geopolitical rivalries in the region that could accentuate great-power rivalry, even as the world considers the Arctic an arena of great opportunity.