TOPIC : GS 3 Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.
‘U.S. against militarization of the Arctic’
What is the news?
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Warns of Militarization of Arctic ahead Of Arctic Council Meeting at Reykjavik (Iceland)
Background:
- Being Surrounded by Canada, Russia, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and the United States, the Arctic Region experiences extremes of solar radiation throughout the year.
- These distinguishable features made it historically inaccessible
- However, with climate change and rapid global warming, this region has become more accessible.
- The Arctic is increasingly becoming an area of geo-political, geo-economic and geo-ecological interest
Significance of Arctic region:
Economical
- A warehouse of untapped natural resources this region contains one fifth of the world’s undiscovered oil and natural gas resources, alongside platinum, gold, silver, iron, zinc, copper, and deposits of methane hydrates which are sources of tremendous energy
- Huge potential for commercial fishing Industry
- Navigation potential
- Melting ice will open up new sea routes for open water vessels (not adapted for ice-breaking) cutting distances and travel times
Ecological-
- Albedo: Arctic sea ice acts as a huge white reflector at the top of the planet, bouncing some of the sun’s rays back into space, helping keep the Earth at an even temperature
- Thermohaline circulation Global conveyor belt : Arctic helps circulate the world ocean currents, moving cold and warm water around the globe
- Permafrost of arctic region acts as a carbon sink
- Arctic region is home to more than 21,000 known species of highly cold-adapted mammals, birds, fish, invertebrates, plants and fungi and microbe species which are of immense value to the mankind
Challenges:
- Climate change : According to IPCC report, The Arctic is warming at a rate of almost twice the global average. It will result in rising sea levels, changes in precipitation patterns, increasing severe weather events, and loss of fish stocks, birds and marine mammals.
- Militarization of Arctic: Short distance between the two antagonistic powers (USA and Russia) led to the militarisation of this region. This resulted in stationing of intercontinental ballistic missile systems, nuclear powered attack submarines and naval bases
- Increased Chinese Presence : Recently China unveiled its “Polar silk Road” plan. China has already ensured its presence in the Arctic through the Russian Yamal Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) project Chinese subtle creep into the arctic region is rising suspicion about its intentions
India’s Interests in Arctic region:
- Climate: Changes in Arctic climate due to global warming can have an impact on Indian Monsoon pattern, water security and coastal erosion. So, research in arctic region is crucial for India.
Ex: We already have a research base in the region- Himadri
- Resources : Rich natural resources and minerals in the arctic region not only benefits our Manufacturing sector but also ensures energy security.
Ex: ONGC videsh limited acquired stakes in Russia’s Rosneft new arctic oil project
- Navigation: India plans to explore connectivity corridor between resource rich Arctic Region and International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
Ex: India and Russia agreed to develop Chennai-vladivostok maritime corridor
India’s Draft Arctic Policy
Recently drafted India’s New Arctic policy seeks to enhance the country’s level of engagement with the region. It enunciated with five major areas of engagement
- Science and research,
- Economic and human development cooperation,
- Transportation and connectivity,
- Governance and international cooperation and
- National capacity building.
Mains Question
Discuss the consequence to militarization of Artic region
PRELIMS PUNCHERS
- Satpura Tiger Reserve
It also known as Satpura National Park is located in the Hoshangabad District of Madhya Pradesh in India. Its name is derived from the Satpura range. Satpura National Park, along with the adjoining Bori and Pachmarhi wildlife sanctuaries, of unique central Indian highland ecosystem. It was set up in 1981.
The terrain of the national park is extremely rugged and consists of sandstone peaks, narrow gorges, ravines and dense forests. It has Dhoopgarh peak as high as 1,350 metres and the almost level plains of Churna. The nearest town to the national park is Pachmarhi and the nearest rail-head is Piparia. A landmark in Satpura National Park is Pandav Caves which lend their name to the present hill station Pachmarhi of Madhya Pradesh
- Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean, enclosed by Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden and the North and Central European Plain. A marginal sea of the Atlantic, with limited water exchange between the two water bodies, the Baltic Sea drains through the Danish Straits .It includes the Gulf of Bothnia, the Bay of Bothnia, the Gulf of Finland, the Gulf of Riga and the Bay of Gdańsk.
The Baltic Sea is connected by artificial waterways to the White Sea via the White Sea-Baltic Canal and to the German Bight of the North Sea via the Kiel Canal. The Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area includes the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat, without calling Kattegat a part of the Baltic Sea.
- The Boao Forum for Asia
It was initiated by 25 Asian countries and Australia is a non-profit organisation that hosts high-level forums for leaders from government, business and academia in Asia and other continents to share their vision on the most pressing issues in this dynamic region and the world at large. BFA is modelled on the World Economic Forum held annually in Davos, Switzerland
Discussions at the BFA focus on economics, integration, cooperation, society and the environment. In the past the forum also addressed China’s entry into the World Trade Organization, as well as Southeast Asia’s economic crisis during the 1990s. The geopolitical strategy ‘China’s peaceful rise’ was a topic of discussion for the forum in 2004. In addition to its annual meeting, the BFA also sponsors other forums and meetings related to Asian issues.
Sources : https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202104/1221380.shtml
- Global Youth Mobilization Intiatives
As a response to alleviating the negative impacts of the pandemic on young people, WHO has partnered with the Big Six Youth Organizations to initiate the Global Youth Mobilization. This initiative, powered by the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO, deploys four strategies in addressing the needs of young people
This ground-breaking mobilization will empower young people to respond to challenges in their local communities and recognize them for their efforts. It will build on a network of 250 million young people engaged through existing networks of the Big Six but also a wide range of partners to inspire young people to action and community service.
PRELIMS QUESTION
Qn 1.Consider the following statement with reference to Artic
- It is Surrounded by Canada, England , Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and the United States
- The research base in the region of India is Gangotri
Select the correct statement using code given below.
(a). 1only (b) 2 only
(c). Both of them (d). None of the above
Answer : D
Being Surrounded by Canada, Russia, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and the United States, the Arctic Region experiences extremes of solar radiation throughout the year. These distinguishable features made it historically inaccessible. However, with climate change and rapid global warming, this region has become more accessible. The Arctic is increasingly becoming an area of geo-political, geo-economic and geo-ecological interest . Changes in Arctic climate due to global warming can have an impact on Indian Monsoon pattern, water security and coastal erosion. So, research in arctic region is crucial for India. We already have a research base in the region- Himadri
Qn 2.Satpura Tiger reserve is located at
1.Madhya Pradesh
2.Maharashtra
3. Chhattisgarh
4. Rajasthan
Answer : A
It also known as Satpura National Park is located in the Hoshangabad District of Madhya Pradesh in India. Its name is derived from the Satpura range. Satpura National Park, along with the adjoining Bori and Pachmarhi wildlife sanctuaries, of unique central Indian highland ecosystem. It was set up in 1981.
The terrain of the national park is extremely rugged and consists of sandstone peaks, narrow gorges, ravines and dense forests. It has Dhoopgarh peak as high as 1,350 metres and the almost level plains of Churna. The nearest town to the national park is Pachmarhi and the nearest rail-head is Piparia. A landmark in Satpura National Park is Pandav Caves which lend their name to the present hill station Pachmarhi of Madhya Pradesh