The Arctic Climate Impacts and International Law : Issues and Challenges

Presently, the Arctic Ocean stands at the threshold of significant changes due to impact of climate change in the Arctic region. Scientific studies have pointed out a discernable impact of human-induced climate change in the Arctic. The recent developments in the Arctic, observed in terms of melting of ice and opening of the Northwest Passage, prove that Climate change is a reality rather than a future prospect in the Arctic. The region is rapidly growing in strategic and economic importance, enhancing its the geopolitical significance. These developments have triggered the competition among Arctic States to establish their maritime claims. Further, the possibilities for maritime transport and natural resource extraction, linked to melting Arctic ice, have highlighted the complexities and particularities of Arctic governance. This article deals with various aspects related to the recent developments in the use of the Arctic Ocean and elicits the legal issues and challenges arising out of the melting ice in the Arctic