ARCTIC OPTIONS Holistic Integration for Arctic Coastal-Marine Sustainability www.arcticoptions.org High Seas
ARCTIC OPTIONSHolistic Integration for Arctic Coastal-Marine Sustainabilitywww.arcticoptions.org
HighSeas
ARCTIC OPTIONSHolistic Integration for Arctic Coastal-Marine Sustainabilitywww.arcticoptions.org
Mission
To identify development and governance options that balance economic, social, and environmental interests in Arctic
coastal-marine systems through an international, interdisciplinary and inclusive process of data analysis.
.
ARCTIC OPTIONSHolistic Integration for Arctic Coastal-Marine Sustainabilitywww.arcticoptions.org
Holistic defined as international, interdisciplinary and inclusive
Sustainability involves balance: Environmental protection, economic prosperity and social equity Needs of present and future generations National interests and common interests
Project addresses: Natural and Living Environment Built Environment Natural Resource Development Governance
Links SEARCH (Study of Environmental Change: www.arcus.org/search)and ACCESS (Arctic Climate Change, Economy and Society: www.access-eu.org) projects supported by the United States and Europe, respectively
3-year project began on 1 September 2013
Scope
ARCTIC OPTIONSHolistic Integration for Arctic Coastal-Marine Sustainabilitywww.arcticoptions.org
Environmental State-Change in the Arctic Ocean
Arctic Sea-ice Cap New Boundary = New System
Unprecedented Change over MillenniaRate of Change: Thickness > Extent
Winter: > 50% First-Year Sea IceSummer: > 50% Open Water
Inherent Risks of Instabilities •Political
•Economic•Cultural
•Environmental
ARCTIC OPTIONSHolistic Integration for Arctic Coastal-Marine Sustainabilitywww.arcticoptions.org
Involves infrastructure: fixed, mobile and other physical assets (includingobserving, communications and information systems) as well as regulatory, policyand other governance mechanisms (including insurance).
Sustainable Development Requires Balance
Environmental Protection, Economic Prosperity and Social EquityNeeds of the Present and Needs of the Future
National Interests and Common Interests
Nation State International Space
ARCTIC OPTIONSHolistic Integration for Arctic Coastal-Marine Sustainabilitywww.arcticoptions.org
National Interests Common Interests
“…important rights and obligations…”United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Signed: Montego Bay, Jamaica, 10 December 1982 Entered into Force: 16 November 1994Ratification, Accession or Succession: 155+ Nations