Global climate change and the attendant recession of the polar ice caps, not only pose environmental and economic challenges, they also pose challenges to strategic resources and global security interests. For example, the United States, Canada, Russia, and England have been among nations posturing for claims to mineral rich Arctic sea beds. As a result, it is possible that as areas of the Arctic become more accessible due to polar ice melt, the Arctic could become a flash point of conflict in the future. As an organization dedicated to peaceful conflict resolution, Global Majority issued the following statement to conicide with the "On Thin Ice Conference" which took place in Monterey, California in December 2008:
Global Majority Declaration on Climate Change in the Arctic Region
We, the members and supporters of Global Majority, issue the following declaration on the occasion of “On Thin Ice: Addressing the Scientific, Economic, Environmental, Cultural and Security Implications of Climate Change in the Arctic Region”, and in response to the dramatic and accelerating effects of climate change on the Arctic Region:
Whereas, Global Majority, Inc., is an international non-governmental organization with international representation from 27 nations, founded in 2003 to promote education, training, mediation, and advocacy in the field of conflict resolution;
Whereas, global climate change is allowing access to previously inaccessible resources and geographic areas of the Arctic region;
Whereas, the resources underneath the Arctic seabed and corresponding access to and exploitation of them is in the interest of multiple nations, several of whom have already made claims;
Whereas, the benefits and costs of newly accessible resources, including shipping lanes through the Northwest Passage, should be distributed equitably amongst concerned parties;
Whereas, native peoples and First Nations of the Arctic region have a significant stake in the effects of climate change, including economic and cultural heritages and rights to resources, territory, and protection;
Whereas, the physical environment of the Arctic is comprised of delicate ecosystems, many of which are being, and will increasingly be, negatively impacted by anthropogenic climate change;
Whereas, the Arctic environment comprises the natural heritage of mankind, and its protection is in the interest of all nations;
Global Majority hereby issues the following declaration in the interest of promoting dialogue and the peaceful resolution of potential conflicts resulting from climate change in the Arctic region:
- We believe in the peaceful and equitable resolution of any and all disputes arising from overlapping claims to Arctic resources and geographic boundaries, and fully support the dialogue and forums necessary to bring this about;
- We support the rights of native peoples of the Arctic region to their economic, cultural and environmental heritage, and call on all concerned parties and stakeholders in the Arctic region to do the same;
- We call for concerted and cohesive action by all stakeholders to begin ongoing dialogues to prevent the escalation of any conflicts;
- We call for strong environmental protections for the Arctic region, to safeguard natural resources for sustainable use, to protect the natural heritage of mankind, and to secure the rights of native peoples;
- We call for the administration of President-elect Barack Obama to re-engage the United States in international climate negotiations as a demonstration of its commitment to addressing climate change as both an Arctic nation and a major greenhouse gas-emitter;
- We strongly encourage the United States Congress to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, in order to provide a standard forum and agreed upon provisions to discuss territorial claims to the Arctic seabed and extensions of nations’ continental shelves.
- We call upon all participants of this conference to commit to the organizing of future forums including the intentional engagement of all stakeholders at informal and formal gatherings where any of the issues related to global climate change and its impacts on the Arctic regions of the world are discussed.
Dated: 9 December 2008
Arctic Region Photographs were provided by http://www.majikimaje.com/ at which you will find photographs, true life stories and Inupiaq Eskimo art and crafts. |
