Canadian Leadership in the Circumpolar World: An Agenda for the Arctic Council Chairmanship 2013-2015
Abstract: The Arctic is a region of increasing global interest. Canadian interests in the region-economic, political, social, and environmental-would benefit from the development of an effective governance framework for the Arctic in terms of providing for stable, predictable, and sustainable use of the area's resources in a manner that benefits northern inhabitants. Canada has an opportunity to influence the Arctic policy agenda and promote Canada's interests as in 2013 it assumes the chairmanship of the Arctic Council, the high-level intergovernmental forum that discusses common circumpolar policy. This article outlines the issue areas most likely to benefit from regional co-operation, and which Canada should promote in the lead up to and during its chairmanship: Search and rescue, fisheries management, shipping regulations, and a regional seas agreement. The article argues that Canada should lead governance reform in the Arctic both because it is in Canada's interests to do so, and because Canada is uniquely placed to do so within the Circumpolar World.
Negotiating the Arctic: The Construction of an International Region
1. Region-Building in 'The Arctic' 2. Region-Building and Definitions of 'The Arctic' 3. The 'Arctic' in the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy and Arctic Council: An Environmental, Indigenous and Foreign Policy Concern 4. Sustainable Development in the Arctic: A Conflict Between Conservation and Utilization 5. The Development of a Regional University for the Arctic 6. The Different Views of the Arctic 7. Canada and the Arctic 8. The Arctic in Other Countries 9. Discussion: A Critique of Arctic Discourse
Arctic Pollution 2002.
are high enough that they can affect children’s mental development. Contaminants may also be affecting children’s resistance to infections. In addition, there are concerns about effects on hormones that are important for growth and sexual development. The major source of these contaminants is from eating marine mammals. These are the same foods that provide important nutrients, energy in a harsh climate, and also a sense of identity in a time of rapid cultural change. This situation challenges the international community to prevent further input of persistent contaminants into the global environment. Of highest priority is the need to lower emissions of mercury and POPs. The situation also poses a challenge at the local level. How should public health officials and community leaders advise people about their eating habits? How should the cultural and health benefits of traditional foods be weighed against the health risks of the contaminants they contain? This chapter examines human health and contaminants in the Arctic in the context of changing cultures, lifestyle, and food habits. The focus is on persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals. The effects of radioactivity on human health are discussed in the chapter Radioactivity. Human Health At the nomad camp