Climate Change and Geopolitics in the Polar Regions

This course focuses on climate change and the geopolitics of the polar regions. Climate change has disproportionately affected the polar regions. Global warming has resulted in polar temperatures rising by over five degrees Fahrenheit. The rising temperature has led to ice loss, changing animal migration patterns, competition for previously unrecoverable resources, and efforts by nations to secure and exploit their polar claims. Background information is provided to ensure students have a clear understanding of climate change. The course reviews the geopolitical changes that are occurring in the Arctic and the Antarctic. Topics covered in the course include competition for resources in the Arctic and Antarctic, Arctic and Antarctic geography, international agreements that are in place in the polar regions, international polar organizations, national strategies of Arctic nations, polar science research facilities and the Antarctic treaty system.