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The legal regime of the Arctic (international legal aspects of the Arctic Ocean), compared to the legal regime of Antarctica
Huk Kloučková, Eliška ; Ondřej, Jan (advisor) ; Šturma, Pavel (referee)
The main objective of this thesis is to analyse the legal regimes of the Arctic and Antarctica and to compare them. The research question is whether and in what specific ways the legal regimes of these polar regions differ. The thesis mainly uses the descriptive method, which describes the basic background and the applicable legal framework, and then the comparative method when comparing the two regimes. In addition to the introduction and conclusion, the thesis is divided into a total of seven chapters. The thesis thus first defines the Arctic and Antarctic, introduces their history and outlines their geopolitical significance. The main parts of the thesis are devoted to the legal regime. In the case of the Arctic, which is mainly a frozen sea around the North Pole, the law of the sea relevant to this territory is discussed. Attention is given to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and its application to the Arctic Ocean. The thesis also describes the pending disputes in this area and the challenges that this legal regime poses not only for Arctic states. In the case of Antarctica, which is a continent, the complex treaty regime that was treaty-anchored in 1954 is discussed. Attention is also paid to the European Union's interest in these areas, as well as the Czech Republic's...
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The shaping of Russia's Arctic strategy
Fritzen, Johan ; Doboš, Bohumil (advisor) ; Romancov, Michael (referee)
The Shaping of Russia's Arctic strategy Abstract Dramatic and rapid shifts are brought about by climate changes to the Arctic geography: Arctic Ocean ice recedes and leave behind resources and sea lanes that traditionally were out of reach to man. This potentially leads to conflict between the coastal states which have overlapping resource claims in the region, different forms of statehood, and diverging security priorities. The changes are felt the strongest in Russia which is investing in Arctic infrastructure to accommodate oil and gas extraction, in addition to a slowly opening intercontinental trade route along her Northern shores. Arctic extraction is a means of increasing economic output and the maritime route to Asia ensures a diversified market which is unlikely to engage in trade sanctions to the same extent as Europe. Melting Arctic ice has repercussions in the defence sphere as well: traditionally protected against invasions from the North by a frozen ocean, Russia's Arctic coastline is becoming exposed to foreign powers. This has sparked a Russian military build-up in the region, inspiring her neighbouring Arctic states to consider their regional defence - not as a response to changed climatic conditions, but to Russia's rhetoric and actions. Both the economic flexibility stemming from Arctic...
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Transformation of geopolitical importance of Arctic Ocean due to climate change.
Doboš, Bohumil ; Romancov, Michael (advisor) ; Plechanovová, Běla (referee)
Work describes and predicts future development in geopolitical situation in the region of the Arctic Ocean. Problematic is covered with regard to melting of the Arctic iceberg leading to access of mineral resources under the sea floor, as well as to opening of so-called Northern Route as the shortest sea route between Far East and European markets. Thesis is a case study, which creates the most probable development in the region and its conflict potential based on study of available sources. Specific points covered in the text are, after geographically limiting the area and summing up the historical process, problematic of peak oil and sketching probability of melting of the Arctic iceberg. Second part covers the question of recovering of the mineral resources in the area - oil and natural gas as the most important. It also deals with dependence of the countries in the area on the drilling and with impacts of the possible drilling in the Arctic Ocean on the situation inside these countries. Last topic covered in this part are tools a conventions of the sea law dealing with setting of so-called Exclusive economic zones and technical difficulties of the mining process. Third part covers topic of availability of Northern Route and North-west Passage and their fallout on the trade between Far East and Europe...
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Arctic sea ice variations from the point of view of the global climate change
Škopan, Viktor ; Huth, Radan (advisor) ; Šobr, Miroslav (referee)
The Arctic is one of the regions of the Earth most vulnerable to climate change. Temperatures in the Arctic have risen by more than twice the global average over the past few decades and are roughly 4 řC above the temperature at the start of the Industrial Revolution, which occurred in the late 18th century. It is highly likely that anthropogenic activity is responsible for such a dramatic change. The Arctic sea ice responds to these changes by decreasing in area, thickness, age and other parameters. The most significant decline has been recorded in the summer months, when the area of the sea ice is shrinking at an average rate of 12.8 % per decade. There has also been a significant decline in the age of sea ice. Forty years ago, sea ice older than four years accounted for 30 % of the total area covered by sea ice, whereas today such old ice accounts for only 2 %. Positive climate feedbacks are contributing significantly to the rapid warming of the Arctic and increased sea ice melt. An example is the decreasing albedo (reflectivity) of the Arctic Ocean, which reflects much less solar radiation due to the shrinking sea ice, contributing to the faster warming of the region and higher sea ice melt. Models show that the warming of the Arctic will continue in the future, and temperatures in the Arctic...
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Northern Sea Route communication for 21st Century?
Kregl, Jan ; Romancov, Michael (advisor) ; Doboš, Bohumil (referee)
The Northern Sea Route (NSR) is a naval communication between Europe and Asia running along the Arctic coastline of the Russian Federation. For decades, the same maritime corridors have been relied on. However, the international freight shipping volumes keep growing steadily and the Suez and Panama Canals might reach their maximal capacity soon. In order to prevent congestions of these crucial chokepoints, alternative communications have to be found. The NSR can save as much as 40% distance compared to the Suez Route and consequently, the time spent on the voyage decreases by about 10 days. There are several other benefits this Arctic seaway brings, however, some major obstacles impede its further development. In this work, I summarized the history of the Route and analyzed some of its key aspects. The current maritime transport situation and some alternative communications are outlined, too. The main advantages and disadvatages of the Northern Sea Route are presented in order to find out whether this unique naval corridor can serve as a communication for the 21st century and what its future prospects look like. Conclusively, the following research questions are answered: How do the US-Russian territorial disputes and the Russian domestic legislation affect the NSR? What would be the economical...
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Transformation of geopolitical importance of Arctic Ocean due to climate change.
Doboš, Bohumil ; Romancov, Michael (advisor) ; Plechanovová, Běla (referee)
Work describes and predicts future development in geopolitical situation in the region of the Arctic Ocean. Problematic is covered with regard to melting of the Arctic iceberg leading to access of mineral resources under the sea floor, as well as to opening of so-called Northern Route as the shortest sea route between Far East and European markets. Thesis is a case study, which creates the most probable development in the region and its conflict potential based on study of available sources. Specific points covered in the text are, after geographically limiting the area and summing up the historical process, problematic of peak oil and sketching probability of melting of the Arctic iceberg. Second part covers the question of recovering of the mineral resources in the area - oil and natural gas as the most important. It also deals with dependence of the countries in the area on the drilling and with impacts of the possible drilling in the Arctic Ocean on the situation inside these countries. Last topic covered in this part are tools a conventions of the sea law dealing with setting of so-called Exclusive economic zones and technical difficulties of the mining process. Third part covers topic of availability of Northern Route and North-west Passage and their fallout on the trade between Far East and Europe...
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