Canada’s international interests are supported through funding for the first Arctic Council-related permanent secretariat in Canada (for the Sustainable Development Working Group), increasing the participation of northerners in Arctic Council and Arctic research activities and providing northern youth with
What national interests does the Arctic represent for Canada?
The Arctic is central to Canada’s national identity, prosperity, security, values and interests. The Canadian Arctic covers 40% of Canada’s territory and is home to more than 200,000 inhabitants, more than half of whom are Indigenous.
Why is Arctic sovereignty a national interest for Canada?
The Arctic is fundamental to Canada’s national identity. It is home to many Canadians, including indigenous peoples, across the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and the northern parts of many Canadian provinces. The Arctic is embedded in Canadian history and culture, and in the Canadian soul.
How is Canada involved in the Arctic Council?
Canada held the first Chair of the Arctic Council from 1996 to 1998, and again from 2013-2015. Canada’s primary priorities related to the Arctic include addressing socio-economic and cultural development, environmental protection and climate change, and strengthening relations with Indigenous peoples.
How does Canada hope to protect the sovereignty of its Arctic territory?
Canada looks to reinforce Arctic sovereignty through diplomacy, military, says minister. National Defence Minister Anita Anand is planning a trip to the Arctic, as she gathers her allied counterparts in Arctic countries for a joint discussion on the security of the region in light of Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Why is everyone interested in the Arctic?
As polar sea ice has melted and opened new potential shipping lanes, the Arctic has become a new frontier where nations are seeking oil and natural gas reserves and preparing to defend them militarily, if necessary.
What is being done to protect the Arctic?
WWF in action
“Recently, WWF successfully lobbied Arctic governments to recognize climate change as the primary threat to the survival of the polar bear. These governments are now responsible for taking a lead on reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.
Why is sovereignty an interest to the nations with Arctic borders?
According to the Convention on the Law of the Sea, in international straits there is a right of passage for foreign ships and, among others, neither the US nor the EU, the most important allies, recognized the Canadian position as well founded. Therefore, it was important to exercise control over the area in question.
Is Canada investing in the Arctic?
The Canadian Government will be spending $4.9 billion over the next six years to improve the security of continental Canada. This will include an expanded Northern Approaches surveillance system for the Canadian Air Force and NORAD.
How successful has the Arctic Council been?
The greatest success of the Arctic Council has been its role in keeping the Arctic peaceful and stable since the end of the Cold War, despite rapid changes in the region’s environmental, political, and socio-economic circumstances.
How is Canada helping polar bears?
Canada is home to two thirds of the global polar bear population and is committed to the conservation of this incredible species. In Canada, polar bears are protected through a collaborative approach that is shared with provinces, territories and regional wildlife management boards.
When did Canada join the Arctic Council?
The Chairmanship of the Arctic Council rotates every two years among the Arctic States. The first country to chair the Arctic Council was Canada (1996-1998), followed by the United States, Finland, Iceland, the Russian Federation, Norway, the Kingdom of Denmark, and Sweden.
How does Canada respond to melting of polar ice caps?
The main consequence of shrinking Arctic ice caps is increasing sea levels, he stated, which can impact Canadian coastlines causing floods. Canada signed onto the Copenhagen Accord in 2009 and committed to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions to 17 per cent below 2005 levels by 2020.
What is the Canadian government doing to fight climate change?
In March 2022, the Government of Canada introduced Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, which provides a roadmap for the Canadian economy to achieve 40-45% emissions reductions below 2005 levels by 2030, building upon the actions outlined in Canada’s previous climate plans.
Who protects the Arctic?
The Gwich’in and Iñupiat peoples of the Arctic have lived in the remote region of the Arctic Refuge for countless generations. They protect and celebrate the land, wildlife, and history of this landscape. They are important members of global society, and speak out for the protection of the land.
What countries are interested in the Arctic?
The Arctic region has long been considered international territory. Five countries—Canada, Denmark (via Greenland), Norway, Russia, and the United States—share a border with the frozen Arctic Ocean.
What countries have interest in the Arctic?
Today, Denmark (Greenland), Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Canada, Iceland and the USA each have territory that lies within the Arctic Circle. Having a claim in the Arctic, with its natural resources, tourism and research opportunities, can prove to be incredibly valuable for these countries.
Who is interested in the Arctic?
The region has thus become an area of intense competition over natural resources for Russia on the one hand, the United States, Canada, Denmark and Norway on the other. China too has shown increasing interest in the Arctic.
What organizations are helping the Arctic?
International Organizations
- Circumpolar Conservation Union (CCU)
- European Polar Board.
- International Arctic Research Center (IARC)
- International Arctic Science Committee (IASC)
- International Arctic Social Sciences Association (IASSA)
- International Study of Arctic Change (ISAC)
What happens if the ice in the Arctic goes away?
Less ice means less reflected heat, meaning more intense heatwaves worldwide. But it also means more extreme winters: as the polar jet stream—a high-pressure wind that circles the Arctic region—is destabilized by warmer air, it can dip south, bringing bitter cold with it.
Is it too late to save the Arctic?
Even if we stopped emitting any more greenhouse gases right now, we still could not save the Arctic. There is already so much greenhouse gas in the atmosphere that temperatures at the poles will likely rise by 5°C within half a century, the United Nations warns in a new report.