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Climate change, arctic and security in the 21st century
Summary
This paper reviews the intersection of climate change, Arctic transformation, and 21st century security, examining how rapid sea ice loss driven by rising temperatures is reshaping both the physical Arctic environment and its geopolitical dynamics. It synthesizes climate studies and security literature to assess emerging strategic risks and governance challenges in the region.
Climate studies have been evolving since the 19th century allowing to present possible future changes that are being felt around the world and specifically in the Arctic region, which is profoundly impacted by climate change.The Arctic has become a critical area of concern in the context of global security in the 21st century.Extensive climate studies highlight the rapid loss of sea ice, which has significantly altered both the physical environment and geopolitical dynamics.This dramatic ice loss is accelerating the opening of new maritime routes, making changes in the ecosystem on earth and below water, current waters included.Climate change, acting as a threat multiplier, exacerbates existing security risks.The Copenhagen School's concept of securitization is particularly relevant in this context, as the Arctic's environmental changes are increasingly framed as security issues, with potential for militarization and conflict over sovereignty and resources.The intersection of climate change and security in the Arctic emphasizes the urgency of managing the region's growing geopolitical significance while mitigating the risks posed by its changing climate.Thus, challenges have a global impact.An inter-and multi-interdisciplinary qualitative analysis shows the interconnectedness of the elements and topics.
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