Brief:

Crisis 3: Arctic Drilling, 2040

Background:

The year is 2040 and 'Climate change has opened the Arctic for business!' Freighters now travel through the Arctic year-round. Arctic natural resources have become financially accessible. Regional powers race to protect its environment, exploit its resources, and manage the danger of conflict.

A recovering Russia seeks dominance over Arctic resources. In Svalbard, Norway is pushed by resurgent Russia. Canada wants to manage Arctic resources, while its indigenous leaders demand control. Denmark seeks to maintain its vast Arctic claims while its Greenland territory pushes for independence. The United States tries to assert Arctic dominance and support its commitment to ban Arctic oil drilling. China claims maritime shipping rights, while it debates whether to support arctic oil drilling or reduce emissions to save its coastal regions.

In this tense environment, how will the international community respond to an unexpected detonation, possibly sabotage, on the Norwegian Arctic Carbon Sequestration Rig? The crisis challenges the Arctic Council, the inter-governmental organization for Arctic climate, economic, geopolitical, resource, scientific and indigenous issues. Will its Member States unite to lower tensions? Or will the Arctic become a new region of armed conflict over finite resources?