Seeking Oil, Russia Claims North Pole
by Matthew Sparkes, London, UK on 07.28.07
Russian geologists claim that they have found a link between Russia and the North pole in the form of the Lomonosov Ridge, a geological feature on the sea floor. Because of this, they claim 460,000 square miles of ocean as Russian territory. However, their claims have been knocked back by the UN before, in 2001. There are reports that they are trying again, with some claiming that they are even sending a submarine to plant a flag 14,000 feet under the Arctic ice shelf.
The motivation, as is often the way, is oil. The area is a potentially lucrative oilfield, and with the ice melting (ironically because of oil and the resulting climate change caused by its use), access will be easier.
The expedition leader, Artur Chilingarov, is quoted as saying, "The Arctic is Russian. We are going to be the first to put a flag there, a Russian flag at the bottom of the Arctic Ocean, at the very point of the North Pole." ::The Daily Green ::The Guardian
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Ocean's 'Poop Machines' Could Help Fight Climate Change
- Major Shifts in North Atlantic Ecosystems Driven by 'Unprecedented' Climate Change in Last Half-Century
- It’s Official: Human Activity is Warming Both the Arctic and Antarctic
- How Do Icebergs Form? Scientists Explain in New Study
Bad sign. Territorial grabs like this, as lame as they might sound from a legal standpoint, indicate a deep seated drive toward imperialism. Can only lead to more conflict in a resource constrained world.
Cockroaches might the only thing left to enjoy the oil if it gets warm enough to make oil extraction from the North Pole economically feasible. Last I checked, cockroaches didn't carry any currency of value, not that would mean much if we weren't around to accept it.
gee, didn't hear about this on the regular news. you would think it would be important?
I'm pretty sure the north pole belongs to canada.
You American Really don't understand anything we Russian don't need any more oil we have plenty of untapped sources. We just don't want you American to claim it. Long live mother russia victory or death
Wake up people. We are too soft. Russia was, is, and always will be an enemy of the USA...
The Cold War never ended. The Russians just learned you need capitalism to make money..
This area of land is Canada's. As the largest country in the world, Russia doesnt need more land. America doesnt need it either. Canada owns the land so please keep your greedy hands off
Hey great, does this mean the moon belongs to the USA!? I think Russia will be mocked and laughed at for such a claim. They tried to claim it once before in 2001 but the UN rejected the claim.
Canada: This means war! By the same logic we own you Russia and we told ourself that we own it first (on paper at least)!
L jacques says:
This area of land is Canada's. As the largest country in the world, Russia doesnt need more land. America doesnt need it either. Canada owns the land so please keep your greedy hands off.
You forget, Canada is the second largest country in the world. What gives them a better claim, because they did so first? Or is it because Canadians aren't baddies like the evil Russian's? That being said, maybe Canada and Russia should have a little war over the Arctic (that would be amusing). I mean, this place is worth dying over right?
Anyway let me clue you into Canada's claim, under international law, no country owns the North Pole or the region of the Arctic Ocean surrounding it yet. Which is how it should remain. Though no doubt Canada and Russia will get their chance to ratify the issue.
Who cares about politics? We're talking about drilling for oil on newly exposed land that's being uncovered from ice because of global warming. Does anybody see the problem here? Has everybody gone insane? While you and your national leaders have your little pissing contests about who can claim what, we're killing our environment and therefore ourselves. I really don't care anymore about the end of all life; I just want you all to realize it's your fault before you die.
I personally think that the North Pole belongs to no one, because it's in neutral territories and also in international seas. The RUSSIAN geoogist says they have a link to north pole. Why don't you go ask a CANADIAN geologist?
NORTH POLE BELONGS TO SANTA CLAUSE!
If russia can claim the north pole then the US can claim the moon. The north pole belongs to no one, no country. It lies in international waters. Just like Antartica the south pole belongs to no one. Russia needs to stop claiming land that isn't hers to claim.
The North Pole is in international waters, therefore it does not belong to any country. Earth is being destroyed by global warming which is caused by the burning of oil. I do not understand why countries like Russia which has more land any any other can not set up renewable power systems. I mean theres more than enough room for it. The Russians have accomplished many things, first country to launch a man made object into space, first country to luanch a living dog & human into space, worlds largest nuclear stockpile, the worlds largest country, etc why can they not be the first country to use mainly renewable power (solar, wind, hydro, etc).
Free world they can make any claim they want. I just hope their intentions are just. I personally feel we should be refreezing the Artic but whatever. I hope though that if they claim it they do not leave America behind like they our better we deserve our share..........karma goes around I think......
the BIG question is,is there any oil in the north pole...what sedements died that can create crude oil..email me on no1prince0007@hotmail.com.thanks