The melting ice of the Arctic (2/2) | DW Documentary
DW Documentary・24 minutes read
The Arctic expedition faces challenges but reaches its destination, highlighting the region's significance in the face of global changes and political tensions, including Norway and Russia ramping up military presence in the area. With increasing economic activity and the importance of the Arctic Ocean as a trade route, countries like Russia are strategically positioning themselves, utilizing technology like high-resolution satellite recordings for monitoring and security purposes.
Insights
- The Arctic region is undergoing significant geopolitical shifts due to increased interest from nations like Norway and Russia, leading to military build-ups, strategic positioning, and concerns among neighboring countries about security and resource exploitation.
- Advanced satellite technology plays a crucial role in monitoring activities in the Arctic, aiding in weather forecasting, navigation, and surveillance for illegal actions like oil spills, showcasing the importance of data collection and communication in ensuring environmental protection and security in the region.
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Recent questions
What challenges do Arctic expeditions face?
Arctic expeditions face challenges like motor breakdowns, snowstorms, icebergs, polar bears, and killer whales affecting hunting. Despite these obstacles, expeditions aim to reach their destinations, set up camps, and prepare traditional food while being prepared for emergencies.
Why are nations increasing their presence in the Arctic?
Nations are increasing their presence in the Arctic due to the melting ice opening up new sea routes and access to valuable resources like cobalt, platinum, and nickel. This has led to a race to dominate the region, causing distrust, surveillance, and military buildup among countries like Norway and Russia.
What is the significance of the Arctic Ocean as a trade route?
The Arctic Ocean is becoming a crucial trade route due to the Northeast Passage being 6,000 kilometers shorter than the traditional route through the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal. This shorter route from China to Europe is attracting attention for its economic benefits and potential for increased trade activity.
How do countries like Norway and Russia utilize the Arctic for energy production?
Countries like Norway and Russia utilize the Arctic for energy production by building floating nuclear power plants like the "Akademik Lomonosov" to provide energy to mining companies, port cities, and military bases along the Arctic coast. This strategy aims to support economic activities in the region while ensuring energy security.
What role does satellite technology play in the Arctic?
Satellite technology plays a crucial role in the Arctic by collecting data for weather forecasting, navigation, and communication globally. High-resolution satellite recordings are used to detect illegal activities like oil spills and fisheries, aiding authorities in taking necessary actions to protect the Arctic environment and resources.
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Summary
00:00
Arctic expedition reveals changing world and challenges.
- The journey through the Arctic is challenging yet magical, revealing a changing world with implications for all.
- People living in the Arctic are affected by global political conflicts and environmental changes.
- A race to dominate the Arctic has led to distrust and surveillance among nations.
- The expedition travels north of the Arctic Circle to understand the region's significance for the future.
- The group, including Olena, Aqqalu, Mette, Brian, and Age, aims to reach a whalers' summer camp 250 kilometers from the fjord's mouth.
- A motor breakdown on Aqqalu's boat causes a delay but is fixed, allowing the journey to continue.
- Encountering a capsized boat in the fjord, the group prepares for emergencies by stashing supplies.
- The expedition faces challenges like encountering polar bears, killer whales affecting hunting, and new catches like cod and salmon.
- Despite facing a snowstorm and dangerous icebergs, the group reaches the summer camp, setting up tents and preparing traditional food.
- The return journey faces a sandstorm, internet outage, and risky flight over the North Atlantic, culminating in a rendezvous with a Norwegian frigate in the Arctic Ocean.
20:09
Arctic Military Buildup: Norway and Russia's Strategies
- Norway is increasing its presence in the Arctic Sea to prepare for future changes as the ice melts and sea routes become more accessible.
- Norway's intelligence chief, Nils Andreas Stensønes, discusses the country's shift to a more active defense doctrine, deploying military forces further west and modernizing capabilities.
- Russia is also ramping up its military presence in the Arctic, with exercises showcasing its capabilities, including the use of nuclear submarines, causing unease among Arctic neighbors.
- Russia considers the Arctic a strategic area, with significant economic activity and resources, such as cobalt, platinum, and nickel, produced above the Arctic Circle.
- The Arctic Ocean is becoming a crucial trade route, with the Northeast Passage from China to Europe being 6,000 kilometers shorter than the traditional route through the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal.
- Russia has built new military bases and modernized existing ones in the Arctic, including a high-tech base on Franz-Josef-Land and an air base for nuclear-capable warplanes.
- The world's first floating nuclear power plant, the "Akademik Lomonosov," is part of Russia's Arctic strategy to provide energy to mining companies, port cities, and military bases along the Arctic coast.
- Norway is relying on increased NATO presence in the Arctic, as it alone cannot defend the region, emphasizing the importance of mutual defense agreements.
- Spitsbergen, once a disputed Arctic island, is now Norwegian territory under the Svalbard Treaty, with major settlements by Norway and Russia, like Longyearbyen and Barentsburg.
- Barentsburg, a Russian mining settlement on Norwegian territory, is home to the Russian Consul General, who highlights the historical significance of Russian presence in Spitsbergen and the importance of maintaining it for peaceful Arctic relations.
37:03
Satellite Data Collection and Monitoring in Spitsbergen
- Data is collected and communicated to satellites passing overhead, crucial for weather data, navigation, and communication globally.
- High-resolution satellite recordings are used for various purposes like detecting illegal activities such as oil spills and fisheries, aiding authorities in taking action.
- The facility in Spitsbergen operates 125 antennas, tracking satellites like Sentinel, providing optical and radar images crucial for various organizations, including NASA and private companies like IRIDIUM.
