Where is Arctic Policy Being Made and How Can You Get Involved?

Arctic policy is primarily controlled by the Arctic Council, an international body made up of the 8 “Arctic states”; the USA, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, Denmark, and Iceland. This group was originally created to keep the Arctic peaceful after the Cold War but has evolved to be the preeminent governmental body in the region.  Much of their recent focus has been on environmental protection, a bright sign for hopes of future legislation. Another major player in this issue is the International Marine Organization, the international group that regulates marine travel. Their reach is global instead of regional like the Arctic Council, but their power extends to anywhere marine vessels travel. These two groups hold much of the power in regulating possible Arctic marine pollution.

The main solution to the issues listed on this website includes both groups but primarily the IMO. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution by Ships (MARPOL) is a convention created by the IMO to help curb the negative effects associated with marine pollution. It applies to the Arctic in addition to the rest of the world’s oceans, but has no specific protections for the fragile ecosystems found here. Amending MARPOL to add a seventh section on Arctic-specific protections (including limits on black carbon emissions and HFO use) would be beneficial to everyone, unifying the various regulations cruising and shipping vessels must follow into one list.

With such an intense list of problems, protecting the Arctic from marine pollution seems like a daunting task. It will require work from all levels of government and large amounts of international cooperation, especially in the IMO and the Arctic Council. These international groups are the ones that would create or modify regulations on Arctic marine traffic, but that does not mean the average citizen has no power. To do your part, you can…

  • Use your power in elections and support individuals who care strongly about Arctic environmental protection
  • Petition your representatives to protect the Arctic through phone calls, letters, social media, etc.
  • Make your voice heard through protests and rallies

Protecting the Arctic requires all of us to be invested and care.