15. Arctic Oil and Global Tensions
As melting ice reveals vast, previously inaccessible oil reserves beneath the Arctic seabed, a new frontier in geopolitical competition emerges. Countries like Russia, the United States, Canada, and Norway increasingly assert territorial claims and expand military presences in the region, driven by the promise of enormous petroleum wealth. This escalating rivalry raises serious concerns about environmental risks, indigenous rights, and potential conflicts over resource ownership. With billions of barrels of oil at stake, the Arctic has become a geopolitical flashpoint, highlighting how humanity’s relentless pursuit of petroleum continues to shape international tensions and fuel strategic power struggles.
