Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress

• Main Author: O'Rourke, Ronald
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service. 2010
• Subjects: Environmental protection; Air pollution; Global climate change; Climatic changes - Arctic regions; Environmental law and legislation; Animals; Natural resources; Endangered species - Arctic regions; International law; Sovereignty - Arctic regions; Energy; Petroleum; Natural gas; Minerals; Mines and natural resources; Defense policy; Military operations - Arctic regions; Arctic Ocean; Arctic; Climate change; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc31354/

The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened concerns about the region's future. Issues such as Arctic sovereignty claims; commercial shipping through the Arctic; Arctic oil, gas, and mineral exploration; endangered Arctic species; and increased military operations in the Arctic could cause the region in coming years to become an arena of international cooperation, competition, or conflict. This report provides an overview of Arctic-related issues for Congress, and refers readers to more in-depth CRS reports on specific Arctic-related issues.