The Arctic Circle: Another Cold War

The Cold War has changed. It is no longer “just” a military threat, rather the battle for global domination is via control of the earth’s resources. It is still a Cold War - literally, and still potentially dangerous.

This shift is starkly visible, as Russia convenes a meeting today to discuss which country has what rights to the rich mineral fields in those places which, until now, have been largely untouched by man, the Arctic Circle in particular. It is generally known that Russia wishes to lay claim to all the deep sea territories right up to the North Pole: if this happened, she would become a leading economic superpower with the ability to control the power supplies of many countries. She has shown her willingness to do this already, cutting off supplies of oil and internet connections to her neighbouring countries when it was politically expedient to do so.

It is ironic that Gaia herself has given humanity the opportunity to exploit her riches by opening previously blocked sea passages through the melting of glaciers. By so doing she has set us a great test. Is greed going to be allowed to be rampant, risking potential war - and not just economic? Are the last places of environmental purity going to be allowed to be destroyed? Are the lessons of the BP oil spill going to be forgotten so quickly?

If intensive drilling for oil, gas and other precious minerals is allowed here, and it goes ahead, our planet will not rest quietly over it. The repercussions will be painful, and they will remind us once and for all about the need for honour, consideration and balance in all things and for all the life that is a part of her. 

By hurting her we are, in the end, hurting ourselves.  By caring, we benefit in so many ways. I wish with all my heart that more of our leaders and influencers understood this.