Conclusion

Policy decisions in the Arctic can neither be considered in isolation or wait until the rush is on: the Arctic region needs to be protected and managed. In large part, a cooperative Arctic regime would be an environmental protection regime, designed to ensure that the region is developed in a sustainable fashion and that risks are accounted for when possible. Creating a legal regime should be undertaken now, not twenty or thirty years down the road. Contextual factors should drive nations to coordinate: there is only one chance to protect regional fisheries, endangered species such as the polar bear and whale breeding grounds in Lancaster Sound. Implementing a vessel piloting system in the Arctic will take time and should be begun as soon as possible. Case studies of Antarctic waterborne tourism should be conducted to identify best policies for the Arctic region, including limitations on both the number of tourist vessels and passengers as well as strict hull build specifications. Regionally integrated ice and hull regimes as well as a centrally controlled ship processing and monitoring system would provide better oversight of shipping in the region. In the end, however, these systems need to be backed by strong support from local Coast Guards. Such support will require new investment in Arctic-class icebreakers, in particular reinvestment by the United States in its icebreaking fleet. Russia has already demonstrated its commitment to rebuilding its Arctic fleet and Canada lacks the resources to physically patrol its entire Arctic coastline, so the United States must pick up the slack. A regional treaty system would address holes in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, minimize development’s impact on the region and through increased dialogue and information sharing between nations decrease the likelihood of military confrontation. Creating an effective regime to govern Arctic waters will ensure that the Arctic is well-protected, thus promoting an intergenerational transfer of the region’s wealth. In spite of the other-minded 2008 Ilulissat Declaration, a regional regime provides too many benefits to member nations and the Arctic region to be cast aside as a political impossibility. In reality, to protect the Arctic from excessive speculation in investment vehicles and environmental disaster the nations of the world need to create a regional management regime. Almost five decades ago, nations around the globe came together to protect the world’s other pole, and today circumstances again call for historic cooperation.