The New Land Rush (TomPaine.com, via AlterNet)

[marmar]

The New Land Rush

By Robert J. Miller, TomPaine.com. Posted May 7, 2007.



Nations are racing to plant flags and claim the "new world" of islands and sea routes that are emerging as Arctic ice melts.

Recent news reports state that global warming and the shrinking Arctic icecaps are opening new sea lanes and making barren islands suddenly very valuable. In fact, the international community might experience a new race of exploration, conquest and acquisition for this "new world" -- these newly available lands and sea routes. Conflicts could arise over shipping lanes, islands, fish stocks, minerals and oil that are now becoming accessible and commercially exploitable.

Governments are even now engaged in asserting their sovereignty over these areas and assets. Canada, Denmark and the United States are already involved in diplomatic disputes over these issues. For example, Canada and Denmark have sent diplomats and warships to plant their flags on tiny Hans Island near northwestern Greenland.

In 1984, Denmark's Minister for Greenland Affairs landed on the island in a helicopter and raised the Danish flag, buried a bottle of brandy, and left a note that said "Welcome to the Danish Island."

Canada was not amused by this assertion of Danish sovereignty. In 2005, the Canadian Defense Minister and troops landed on the island and hoisted the Canadian flag. Denmark lodged an official protest. In addition, Canada, Russia and Denmark are claiming waters all the way to the North Pole.

Moreover, the United States and Canada are disputing Canadian claims that the emerging Northwest Passage sea route is in its territory. The U.S. insists the waters are neutral and open to all but Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper states that he will place military icebreakers in the area "to assert our sovereignty and take action to protect our territorial integrity."

This kind of conduct is nothing new. It mirrors exactly the actions taken by European and American governments in the 15th -- 20th centuries in their race to claim the lands and the assets of the New World of the Americas, Africa, and other areas. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/51418/