Story: Race to Secure Arctic Riches Heats Up, 09/10/07
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec07/arctic_9-10.html

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. What role does global warming play in the race for Arctic territory?

2. What is the basis for Russia's claim to a large portion of the Arctic seabed?

3. What did Russia do that angered other northern countries?

4. How did Denmark react to the Russians?

5. Why could the Arctic become more economically important?

6. What is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea?

7. How were disputes over Antarctica settled?

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. Should nations be allowed to claim parts of the Arctic? Why or why not? On what basis should countries be able to make a claim?

2. In the article, Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay said "This isn't the 15th century, you can't go around the world and just plant flags and say, 'We're claiming this territory.'" What do you think of this quote? How is this race to claim the Arctic similar to earlier expansionism? How is it different?

3. Research recent political activities in Russia. What's going on there? What political reasons might the Russian government have to make a claim on the Arctic at this time?

Write a 300-500 word essay on any of the topics in this exercise providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra (extra@newshour.org). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.