Arctic chill has always been too hot for the imperialistic penchant. Even in the past, we saw many moves by the neighboring nations, having UN granted rights, to possess the Arctic riches. Every nearby nation wants to have the biggest pie of the Arctic. In this energy hungry world however, the might is always right. If the sources will be exploited in the near future, it won’t end or rather say ease the energy crisis for evermore hungry nations for a long time. As the oil and gas fields are getting bare, it is highly likely that they’ll turn into the killing fields anytime soon.

Global warming has its due, I’d add surely. One shouldn’t forget that it’ll, if not sooner then later, screw the whole world and the receding ice on the Arctic floor has already left the time bomb ticking. Moreover, US, Norway, Canada and Denmark are challenging Russia’s claim to a section of the Arctic shelf. This means the groups for the conflict are already in the making.

As the ice is diminishing incredibly fast, the passage to Arctic to explore its delicate Eco-system is getting easy and gaining momentum and so does the rat race to posses it. Scientific predictions and fears originating from melting of ice send shivers down spine, but the conflict over occupying the no man’s land is more gruesome for the world peace. If global warming and the argument over possessing the Arctic reserves will go on heating at the present rate, world should get ready to brace both the catastrophes – environmental and human, I mean.

Moreover, the Arctic reserves have crucial importance for the nearby nations as the energy sources are drying at an alarming rate. In US, it’ll be available for the next decade only, Norway’s will last only for the next seven years, British reserves are good for not more than five years, and Russian resources will not last beyond 2030. That is true! In this worrisome situation, opening Wildlife Refuge seems a handy, though short it may be, solution. However, exploring that area means totally destroying the Eco-system. How about the occupying species? Where they’ll, after all, find shelter?

Additionally, UN does not recognize Russian rights on the Arctic bed. Many Russian bids to put its claim forth have been put down in the past which is biased. If the countries as far as Norway and US have rights on the Arctic resources, then Russia has every reason to claim and have its share. The possibility of a vital conflict becomes quite imminent when the Kremlin warns of a vital conflict by 2020, which suggests that Russia won’t hesitate to use force to defend its interests, if necessary. World however can not and should not take Russia lightly. Yes, Russia now is not what we saw in the last decade of the twentieth century – helplessly watching the breakaway provinces becoming nations, facing internal conflicts, sluggish economy… but a force to be recon with. Hence beware west!

Claiming nations every now and then go on expedition and struck their flag to claim the area which shows that imperialistic instincts are rejuvenating like never before to touch the new horizons in 21st century. There seems no end to the arguments and counter arguments for the stakes from all sides. Nonetheless, before one (the most powerful one) decides or forcefully captures the biggest area, the question remains; whose land is it anyway? If the arctic is not inhabited, why is it that war is necessary? Why not leave it the way it is so far. When is the world going to come to its senses and say enough is enough? We’ve already been through the times of war and world can not afford it once more.

On the other, for all those betting on the area need to understand before screwing the delicate Arctic that digging oil in that area means digging grave for thousands of innocents – people and species – who will fall pray to this maneuver. If Arctic will be exploited for its resources, which seems very likely, benefits will be for powerful a few but bad effects for all. It indicates that this move will woefully mess up the entire world. And therefore, the five nations have no right to decide the future of world for their short term gains. At the end I say it again, let the ‘No man’s land’ remain as such, as far as nations are serious about not to put the world peace at stake.