Russia, Canada and the United States and the spatial conflict over the right to use the Norwest Passage

Global Spatial Conflict

The size, growth rate, and consumption patterns of the global human population are significant threats to biodiversity, yet little attention has been given to the conservation implications of where people live. Human settlement patterns impact biodiversity directly (e.g., habitat alteration) and indirectly by influencing land prices and other costs of achieving conservation. Human population density is positively correlated with deforestation in tropical forests, abundance of invasive species, and extinction rates and the proportion of threatened species in important tax. These studies suggest that human population density may be a useful surrogate measure of the impact on biodiversity of a range of activities associated with human settlements (e.g., habitat clearance, waste disposal, recreation, and hunting). (Curry, pp 23-24)There is an urgent need, therefore, to characterize the level of spatial overlap between densely populated and biodiverse areas and to evaluate options for alleviating potential conflict.

Background & History of The Spatial Conflict

It is ironic that the dispute concerning the Northwest Passage has clearly taken an unpredicted shift; initiating international attention. In the past, the concept of acquiring the ability to traverse through this waterway was a dream held by various foreign explorers. It was seen as a channel that could lead to economic cooperation, and social integration. In fact, 16th century Spanish explorers established the title 'Strait of Anián” used to refer to a yet to be discovered passage route connecting the Atlantic Ocean, to the Pacific. However, during the 16th century, european travelers believed that the entire continent of North America was an archipelago, rather than a large continent with one specific northern water route. Yet, the concept of traveling through North America for trade was always a primary objective. (Johnston pp 66-71)

explorers such as Martin Frobisher and Henry Hudson undertook voyages throughout the North American arctic region (instigating the names of both Forbisher and Hudson Bay). In 1845, 61 year old Sir John Franklin and 134 sailors lost their lives after setting out to discover the Northwest Passage with his two ships named erebus and Terror. Other voyages, aiming to traverse the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean via the passage remained unsuccessful until 1906, when Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen navigated through the northern region in a lengthy three year period. Yet, even though Amundsen was successful in his travel objectives, his success meant little for global trade. The voyage occurred with a smaller craft rather than a large ship, simplifying the travel across shallow waterways. Also, the idea of waiting three years for a shipment of goods to commute from Asia to europe did little to excite 20th century merchants. (Joyner pp 1091-1093)

The Parties In The Conflict, And Thier Grievances

In 1969 the oil tanker known as the SS Manhattan, cooperating closely with the US government, deliberately opted to neglect requests made by the Canadian & Russian to seek its approval before traveling through the Canadian & Russian arctic to the new oil fields ...