For this discussion post I decided to focus on Canada, as it was one of the two nations I focused on in my policy brief on Security. Canada has released a number of policy frameworks, governmental plans, and climate plans in regards to the security issues they are facing. Among them, the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework: Safety, Security, and Defence chapter, and Canada’s Climate Plans and Targets have been representative of some of the nation’s major security issues. Due to the amount of Canada’s land that is within the Arctic, climate change has a tremendous impact on the structural integrity of its Northern communities, especially those located on the coast. Additionally, with such a massive stake in the Arctic it has become essential to Canada to continue peaceful relations with other Arctic states and prevent any move made to threaten that peace.
In regards to Climate Change, many do not understand the implications of the issue being a security concern. Most often one thinks of security in terms of physical safety and military operations, but there are many aspects of a nation’s infrastructure that may threaten its security. The Arctic makes up nearly half of Canada’s landmass, and is home to approximately 150,000 people who will directly experience the effects of climate change. Given the fact that the Arctic experiences climate change effects at three times the rate of the rest of the globe, there are serious implications for those living within the region. The ability of these communities to continue their subsistence practices may be impacted by flooding, coastal erosion, melting permafrost, and other environmental changes (Government of Canada, 2022). This can be extremely harmful for these rural communities, as they deal with increasingly high food prices and food insecurity (Government of Canada, 2022). Being able to rely upon subsistence is essential to the Arctic way of living. Due to these consequences affecting many ecosystems and nearly half of Canada’s land area, tackling climate change is a security priority.
Another important security challenge for Canada is maintaining peace within the Arctic Region. Canada’s Arctic and Northern Policy Framework: Safety, Security, and Defence discusses a variety of factors that may impact the stability of the Arctic region. These factors include outside party interest in the Arctic for natural resource development and potential military advantage of the region. The Arctic and the Northwest Passage are easier to access than ever as a result of climate change, which has created international interest in the potential for natural resource development. Canada’s policy framework makes an important note that while these interests may be economically advantageous in the future, some of the “investments and related economic activities could seek to advance interests that may be in opposition to those of Canada,” (Government of Canada, 2019). Another security risk are the nations that are increasing military presence within the Arctic region as an avenue of collecting intelligence. These nations utilize this information in order to position themselves in the Arctic region as to have access to important resources, infrastructure, and vantage points (Government of Canada, 2019). This could lead to military advantage within the Arctic, a threat to the continued peace of the region. In order to maintain Canada’s strong role within the Arctic, and preserve the ongoing peace, keeping an eye on foreign interference and military measures are essential.
Resources
Government of Canada. (2019). Arctic and Northern Policy Framework: Safety, Security, and Defence. https://rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1562939617400/1562939658000
Government of Canada. (2022). Canada’s Climate Plans and Targets. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html