President Barack Obama discussed Alaska, climate change, and Arctic issues in speech last week. The president told cadets at a U.S. Coast Guard Academy commencement they’re part of the first generation of officers to begin their service in a world where the effects of climate change are so clearly upon us.
“Climate change means Arctic sea ice is vanishing faster than ever. By the middle of this century, Arctic summers could be essentially ice free. We’re witnessing the birth of a new ocean, new sea lanes, more shipping, more exploration, more competition for the vast natural resources below,” Obama said.
Obama said focusing on the security of Alaska’s thousand miles of Arctic coastline is a priority.
“The United States is an Arctic nation, and we have a great interest in making sure that the region is peaceful, that its indigenous people and environment are protected, and that its resources are managed responsibly in partnership with other nations,” Obama said.
The nation’s first U.S. Special Representative to the Arctic, Adm. Bob Papp, says the U.S. is also keeping an eye on Russian efforts to build military depots all along its northern shore. He also says the eight nations that make up the Arctic Council have tackled two critical issues:
“When you have maritime traffic, inevitably, inevitably, particularly in the conditions that you find in Alaska, in the Arctic — weather and seas, rocky shores — there will be an accident some day and you need to be prepared for that,” Papp said.
Papp says much more is needed: a U.S. Coast Guard Air station, a deep water port north of the Bering Strait and icebreakers. Hesays the U.S. is down to one medium and one heavy icebreaker, far behind other nations.
