EU set sights on Arctic energy

With the Arctic icecap now shrinking at record rates, countries are rushing to stake their claim on the vast mineral resources that the fragile environment holds, and now Europe has joined the fray.

The European Commission has issued a paper stating Europe’s interest in the Arctic’s resources, in a first step to formulate an EU Arctic policy.

Last year Russia caused controversy when it planted a titanium flag on sea bed under the North Pole in an effort to stake a claim on the region, while just six months ago the US, Russia, Canada, Denmark and Norway met to form a pact over the exploitation of the region.

The Commission wants to look at the possibility of establishing a shipping route through the Northwest passage, and promote co-operation between Norway and Russia to exploit the region’s oil reserves.

The Commission’s position seems to be at odds with that of the European Parliament which voted, last month, for the creation of an international Arctic Treaty to protect the Arctic.

It seems that the Arctic and its inhabitants, already suffering from the effects of climate change, are now going to put under even more pressure from increased human activity.

It is to be hoped that the region’s 4 million people, and its unique wildlife, will be given a voice in the negotiations that is loud enough to be heard above the clamour for oil.