The North Awakens

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-north-awakens

Introduction

**Course Review: The North Awakens** As global awareness about climate change and its multifaceted impacts intensifies, "The North Awakens" on Coursera emerges as a crucial course that delves into the complexities of the Arctic region. This comprehensive course provides learners with insights into the intersection of environmental changes and the region's growing economic and strategic significance. It is aimed at anyone interested in understanding the Arctic's intricate dynamics, from policymakers and environmentalists to businesses and curious learners. **Course Overview** "The North Awakens" offers a multifaceted exploration of the Arctic, beginning with an overview of its diverse peoples and ending with a survey of recent Arctic events. It systematically covers Arctic governance, economies, national defense, and marine usage, creating an invaluable framework for students interested in the geopolitical nuances of this region. **Learning Objectives** Throughout the course, you will learn to articulate the various drivers of change in the Arctic, including environmental transformations and their implications for national and international policies. By the end of the course, learners should feel equipped to engage in discussions about Arctic governance, economics, marine affairs, and the potential consequences of ongoing change. **Syllabus Breakdown** 1. **Arctic Peoples, Governance, Economics, and Geopolitics:** This module introduces students to the indigenous peoples of the Arctic and their adaptations to change. It examines the role of the Arctic Council—a critical forum for cooperation between the eight Arctic nations—and discusses demographic trends and their economic implications. Students gain a solid foundation in understanding how localities are navigating the complexities posed by national defense and international relations. 2. **Marine Use of the Arctic:** As climate change continues to reduce sea ice, the Arctic Ocean is becoming increasingly accessible. In this module, learners explore marine use regulations set forth by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the implications of navigating key passageways like the Northern Sea Route and the Northwest Passage. The module also highlights the International Polar Code, essential for shipping operations in challenging Arctic environments. 3. **Arctic Riches: Oil and Gas:** The Arctic is home to vast deposits of oil and gas, making it a focal point for exploration and production activities. This module covers the efforts of various nations, including Russia, the U.S., Norway, and Canada, in harnessing these resources. Students gain insights into the current landscape of Arctic resource extraction and the geopolitical ramifications associated with it. 4. **Beyond Oil and Gas:** The final module broadens the scope by examining the Arctic's mining sector and its other economic drivers, including fisheries and tourism. Case studies such as Nornickel and the resources available in Alaska and Canada provide concrete examples of how economies are diversifying in the Arctic. Additionally, learners will discover emerging events and trends that may shape the future of this pristine region. **Recommendation** I highly recommend "The North Awakens" for anyone looking to gain in-depth knowledge of the Arctic's unique challenges and opportunities. The course effectively combines theoretical frameworks with real-world examples, enabling learners to appreciate the multifaceted nature of Arctic issues. Whether you are an academic, a professional in environmental studies, or simply an enthusiast wanting to understand the geopolitical climate, this course offers invaluable resources and perspectives. The engaging format, coupled with contributions from reputable experts, ensures that the learning experience is not only informative but also captivating. By the end of the course, you will be better prepared to navigate the discussions surrounding Arctic policies, governance, and sustainable development. Join "The North Awakens" today and deepen your understanding of one of the world's most critical and rapidly changing regions.

Syllabus

Arctic Peoples, Governance, Economics and Geopolitics

This week, we'll take a closer look at the peoples of the Arctic - the Arctic as a homeland - and then turn attention to the role of the Arctic Council of the eight Arctic nations. After a foray into Arctic demographics, we'll briefly look at some of the big economic drivers in the Arctic (setting a stage for later more focused discussion in subsequent modules) and how the changing Arctic is playing into national defense.

Here we will learn how the loss of sea ice is opening up the Arctic Ocean to increased marine use and the many issues that have arisen. To set a framework, we will first become familiar with marine use limits in the Arctic Ocean as set by the United Nations Convention Law of the Sea. Then we will explore use of the Northern Sea Route along the Russian Side of the Arctic Ocean, the Northwest Passage through the channels of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, and the the issues that may play into how heavily these shortcuts between the Atlantic and the Pacific may be used. Finally, we will look at the International Polar Code, which sets requirements for ships operating in polar waters.

Large areas of the Arctic are underlain by significant deposits of oil and natural gas. In this week's lessons, we will look at exploration and production activities by Russia, which are occurring all along its shelf seas and over many land areas, the United States along the North Slope of Alaska, the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, Norway, where all production is offshore, as well as prospects for Arctic development by Canada and Norway.

This week, we'll first look at another big sector of the Arctic's economy - mining - using examples such as Nornickel in Russia, the Red Dog Mine and gold mining in Alaska, diamond mining in Canada, and coal mining in Svalbard. Attention then turns to commercial and sport fishing, and the growing tourist industry. Finally, we'll take a look at some recently emerging events in the Arctic.