Strait Through The Ice

- Description
- Reviews
- Citation
- Cataloging
- Transcript
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Today the North Pole is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet. The Arctic ice cap is less than half the size it was 50 years ago. This radical climate change has thus begun to open the ice-packed Northwest Passage between Europe and Asia, and some scientists predict that the transoceanic maritime route will soon be permanently ice free during its ever-longer summers.
STRAIT THROUGH THE ICE examines the geopolitical ramifications of this development, including disputes between the five nations bordering the Arctic Ocean-the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Norway and Russia-over claims to territorial waters, the control of sea traffic, and the right to exploit the region's untapped resources of oil and other natural resources. But if this multinational race to the Arctic is not legally regulated, the region's fragile ecosystem could be devastated.
STRAIT THROUGH THE ICE illuminates the many complex issues involved in this potential conflict between ecology and geopolitics through interviews with scientists, shipping executives, local residents, navigational workers, educators, climatologists, military leaders and glaciologists.
Complemented by stunning vistas of the Arctic environment and its wildlife, the film also follows the crew of the Canadian Coast Guard research icebreaker Amundsen as it explores a new passage through the Arctic strait and collects scientific and cartographic data, in the process broaching environmental issues, global warming, the dangers of ice-floe navigation, new ship designs, and the need for new deep-sea ports.
'An educational look at the near future of shipping and the Arctic, for students, Canadians, and anyone interested in the environment.' -Library Journal
'A fascinating documentary about a subject that will only increase in importance and visibility... appropriate for all types of library collections and would provide excellent discussion points for high school and college classroom discussions, as well as in adult education forums. Extremely Highly Recommended.' -Educational Media Reviews Online
'Beautiful and instructive, and it stimulates reflection on the choices of mankind.'-La Croix
'Amazing!'-Resources, Tribeca Film Institute
'Explores the critical issues to be resolved by a handful of powerful countries as they weight economic potential against environmental consequences.'-The Sundance Channel
'A timely and thought-provoking documentary, [STRAIT THROUGH THE ICE] is recommended.'-Video Librarian
Citation
Main credits
Billy, Yves (screenwriter)
Billy, Yves (film director)
Leonard, Peter (narrator)
Other credits
Image, Richard Prost; editing, Cecile Coolen; music, Serge Kochyne; animation, Mira Productions, Thierry Gentet; cartography, Benedicte Roland, Christophe Gauthier.
Distributor subjects
Arctic; Business; Climate; Climate Change; Environment; Geography; Global Warming; International Relations; Sustainability; Trade; Oceans; WaterKeywords
WEBVTT
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[FOGHORN]
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No new seaway had appeared on
the world map since the time
00:01:20.310 --> 00:01:22.140 align:middle line:90%
of Christopher Columbus.
00:01:22.140 --> 00:01:24.560 align:middle line:84%
In the Canadian far north,
one is now literally
00:01:24.560 --> 00:01:26.310 align:middle line:90%
falling from heaven.
00:01:26.310 --> 00:01:28.660 align:middle line:84%
The opening up of the Northwest
Passage, offering
00:01:28.660 --> 00:01:31.490 align:middle line:84%
new economic prospects for
several months a year, is
00:01:31.490 --> 00:01:32.780 align:middle line:90%
shaking up geopolitical
00:01:32.780 --> 00:01:34.771 align:middle line:90%
potentialities until now icebound.
00:01:34.771 --> 00:01:39.690 align:middle line:90%
00:01:39.690 --> 00:01:42.470 align:middle line:84%
Navigators have always dreamt of
such a royal seaway between
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Europe and Asia.
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[SPEAKING FRENCH]
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00:02:18.940 --> 00:02:21.320 align:middle line:84%
For 400 years, but more
specifically, with the
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founding of the Hudson Bay
Company in the 17th century,
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the quest for the Northwest
Passage has caused the loss of
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dozens of ships and hundreds
of sailors.
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Driven on by the certainty that
this trans-oceanic route
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could open the gates
to China, all were
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wrecked in this icy labyrinth.
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00:02:43.610 --> 00:02:44.860 align:middle line:90%
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
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00:03:00.440 --> 00:03:04.200 align:middle line:84%
In 1845, the expedition led
by Sir John Franklin,
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painstakingly prepared with
two ships and 129 sailors,
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spent months trapped
in the ice.
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Its crew wandered on the
ice floes for the
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best part of two years.
00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:16.210 align:middle line:90%
Not one of them survived.
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The shipwreck confirmed the
opinion that it would be
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forever impossible to
sail this passage.
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Only at the beginning of the
20th century did the Norwegian
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Amundsen succeed in crossing
from east to west.
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However, the exploit took
him nearly three years.
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Since then, everything
has changed.
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[SPEAKING FRENCH]
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During the last 30 years, due
to the effects of climate
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change, the ice floes have
shrunk by nearly 30%.
00:04:31.940 --> 00:04:35.140 align:middle line:84%
In the heart of the Canadian
Arctic Circle, the numerous
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straits that make up the
Northwest Passage are free of
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ice during the ever longer
summers, for a distance of
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over 2,500 kilometers.
00:04:43.950 --> 00:04:46.890 align:middle line:84%
As this last lock between the
Atlantic and the Pacific is
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sprung, it is poised to become
the shortest route between
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Europe and Asia.
00:04:51.260 --> 00:05:09.140 align:middle line:90%
00:05:09.140 --> 00:05:12.250 align:middle line:84%
Today, shipping accounts
for more than 80%
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of worldwide transport.
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The growth in maritime traffic
is outstripping the capacity
00:05:17.380 --> 00:05:19.960 align:middle line:84%
of the currently available
merchant fleet.
00:05:19.960 --> 00:05:22.620 align:middle line:84%
In the space of two years,
freight prices have increased
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fourfold, voyages have to be
ever faster, and routes ever
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more direct.
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Ports are jammed up, straits
are hazardous, and certain
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boats have to wait several days
for the go ahead to pass
00:05:34.120 --> 00:05:37.370 align:middle line:84%
through the Suez or
Panama Canals.
00:05:37.370 --> 00:05:40.430 align:middle line:84%
The 25,000 kilometers of the
Panama Canal route are
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increasingly congested.
00:05:42.260 --> 00:05:45.990 align:middle line:84%
The route via the Suez Canal,
effectively as long, is prey
00:05:45.990 --> 00:05:48.420 align:middle line:84%
to the risk of regional
conflict.
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But the 7,000 kilometers saved
by taking the far north route
00:05:51.930 --> 00:05:53.195 align:middle line:90%
could change things radically.
00:05:53.195 --> 00:06:16.520 align:middle line:90%
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Vancouver, Canada\'s gateway
to the Pacific, is a port
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concerned by the Northwest
Passage in view of a potential
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trade boom with Asia.
00:06:24.910 --> 00:06:28.090 align:middle line:84%
Here, Martech Polar Consulting
Limited advises shipping
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companies and supplies its
know-how to ship owners that
00:06:30.750 --> 00:06:32.100 align:middle line:90%
opt for the Northwest Passage.
00:06:32.100 --> 00:06:39.330 align:middle line:90%
00:06:39.330 --> 00:06:41.760 align:middle line:84%
The Northwest Passage could
certainly become
00:06:41.760 --> 00:06:43.280 align:middle line:90%
somewhat of a highway.
00:06:43.280 --> 00:06:46.280 align:middle line:84%
Newer companies expecting to
make a killing in the shipping
00:06:46.280 --> 00:06:50.060 align:middle line:84%
market with a new route will
come and ask, what are the
00:06:50.060 --> 00:06:50.840 align:middle line:90%
possibilities?
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What are the feasibilities of
shipping through the Northwest
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Passage for one month, three
months, or four months?
00:06:56.130 --> 00:06:59.230 align:middle line:84%
And they\'re talking about
needing over the next 15 to 20
00:06:59.230 --> 00:07:04.720 align:middle line:84%
years close to 300 or
more people with
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ice navigation skills.
00:07:07.630 --> 00:07:09.800 align:middle line:84%
The biggest problem, however,
is the experience of
00:07:09.800 --> 00:07:10.570 align:middle line:90%
navigators--
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the ship operators
themselves--
00:07:12.910 --> 00:07:14.177 align:middle line:90%
to deal with the ice.
00:07:14.177 --> 00:07:17.540 align:middle line:84%
I can teach somebody what a
piece of ice looks like and
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which color of ice to avoid,
but can I teach them how to
00:07:21.620 --> 00:07:25.330 align:middle line:84%
react when maneuvering the ship
when it\'s reacting to a
00:07:25.330 --> 00:07:27.910 align:middle line:84%
heavy multi-year floe
as opposed to a
00:07:27.910 --> 00:07:28.873 align:middle line:90%
light first year floe?
00:07:28.873 --> 00:07:31.035 align:middle line:84%
That\'s the practical experience
that\'s necessary.
00:07:31.035 --> 00:07:33.830 align:middle line:90%
00:07:33.830 --> 00:07:37.280 align:middle line:84%
We\'ll never get the point where
we\'ll have enough really
00:07:37.280 --> 00:07:40.895 align:middle line:84%
solid trained ice navigators
to populate the ships.
00:07:40.895 --> 00:07:45.880 align:middle line:90%
00:07:45.880 --> 00:07:48.810 align:middle line:84%
Since the inclement polar cold
no longer shuts out all
00:07:48.810 --> 00:07:51.630 align:middle line:84%
commercial traffic from this
route, international pressure
00:07:51.630 --> 00:07:54.140 align:middle line:84%
has been forcing Canada to
redefine its sovereignty over
00:07:54.140 --> 00:07:55.510 align:middle line:90%
these Arctic waters.
00:07:55.510 --> 00:07:58.530 align:middle line:84%
What are the legal principles
by which this shipping is to
00:07:58.530 --> 00:07:59.780 align:middle line:90%
be regulated?
00:07:59.780 --> 00:08:02.850 align:middle line:90%
00:08:02.850 --> 00:08:06.400 align:middle line:84%
The Canadian view is based on
the drawing of straight lines.
00:08:06.400 --> 00:08:09.100 align:middle line:84%
All the waters contained inside
this perimeter are
00:08:09.100 --> 00:08:11.510 align:middle line:84%
internal waters governed
entirely by Canadian law.
00:08:11.510 --> 00:08:15.700 align:middle line:90%
00:08:15.700 --> 00:08:18.340 align:middle line:84%
The American view concedes
Canada\'s right to claim
00:08:18.340 --> 00:08:21.600 align:middle line:84%
territorial waters, but only
within a distance of 12
00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:24.640 align:middle line:84%
nautical miles from
its coasts.
00:08:24.640 --> 00:08:27.230 align:middle line:84%
These 12 nautical miles on
either side of the widest
00:08:27.230 --> 00:08:30.095 align:middle line:84%
parts of the Northwest Passage
would then leave a clear path
00:08:30.095 --> 00:08:31.345 align:middle line:90%
for all shipping.
00:08:31.345 --> 00:08:35.860 align:middle line:90%
00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:41.210 align:middle line:84%
The United States has always
vehemently supported the idea
00:08:41.210 --> 00:08:44.260 align:middle line:84%
of international straits, and
considers that the Northwest
00:08:44.260 --> 00:08:48.960 align:middle line:84%
Passage, like the Hormuz or
Malacca, is an international
00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:50.630 align:middle line:90%
strait as well.
00:08:50.630 --> 00:08:54.720 align:middle line:84%
Both of the positions are
supported by cases of the
00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:57.770 align:middle line:84%
International Court of Justice,
and so we really have
00:08:57.770 --> 00:09:02.750 align:middle line:84%
this impasse that I\'m not sure
if Canada was to force a legal
00:09:02.750 --> 00:09:06.650 align:middle line:84%
issue and ask a court to rule
on this, that they would be
00:09:06.650 --> 00:09:07.410 align:middle line:90%
successful.
00:09:07.410 --> 00:09:10.420 align:middle line:84%
The European Union has
historically shared the
00:09:10.420 --> 00:09:14.260 align:middle line:84%
American position, the position
of Washington, that
00:09:14.260 --> 00:09:17.800 align:middle line:84%
the Northwest passage is an
international strait.
00:09:17.800 --> 00:09:21.390 align:middle line:84%
But it has not pushed the issue
with the same force and
00:09:21.390 --> 00:09:25.140 align:middle line:84%
energy is as Washington has, and
in my view, would go along
00:09:25.140 --> 00:09:28.065 align:middle line:84%
with whatever Canada and the
United States were to decide.
00:09:28.065 --> 00:09:32.740 align:middle line:90%
00:09:32.740 --> 00:09:37.280 align:middle line:84%
In this legal wrangle, Russia
is Canada\'s only ally.
00:09:37.280 --> 00:09:40.000 align:middle line:84%
Russia, whose Northeast Passage
crosses the Siberian
00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:43.040 align:middle line:84%
archipelago, lays the same claim
to sovereignty over its
00:09:43.040 --> 00:09:47.000 align:middle line:84%
Arctic zone as Canada does over
the Northwest Passage.
00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:50.360 align:middle line:84%
Pending a settlement, the
Canadians are standing firm,
00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:53.620 align:middle line:84%
consolidating their presence by
every means and playing all
00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:54.870 align:middle line:90%
their cards.
00:09:54.870 --> 00:09:56.780 align:middle line:90%
00:09:56.780 --> 00:09:58.030 align:middle line:90%
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:09:58.030 --> 00:10:14.770 align:middle line:90%
00:10:14.770 --> 00:10:16.920 align:middle line:84%
One key card that the Canadians
hold is their
00:10:16.920 --> 00:10:20.080 align:middle line:84%
superior knowledge
of their terrain.
00:10:20.080 --> 00:10:22.910 align:middle line:84%
The Canadian Coast Guard ice
breaker, the Amundsen, has
00:10:22.910 --> 00:10:26.400 align:middle line:84%
been the observatory of the
passage for three years now.
00:10:26.400 --> 00:10:29.820 align:middle line:84%
Every year during the summer
months, it gathers data and
00:10:29.820 --> 00:10:31.540 align:middle line:84%
inventories what
goes on there--
00:10:31.540 --> 00:10:34.520 align:middle line:84%
which boats it meets or helps,
and which ice floes it
00:10:34.520 --> 00:10:36.680 align:middle line:84%
encounters, and which
are no longer there.
00:10:36.680 --> 00:10:41.610 align:middle line:90%
00:10:41.610 --> 00:10:43.930 align:middle line:84%
Geographers, lawyers,
climatologists, and
00:10:43.930 --> 00:10:46.840 align:middle line:84%
glaciologists have come aboard
to carry out a commission
00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:49.646 align:middle line:84%
under the guidance
of David Barber.
00:10:49.646 --> 00:10:53.190 align:middle line:84%
In his company, we will be
crossing the Northwest Passage
00:10:53.190 --> 00:10:55.340 align:middle line:84%
in the hope of solving its
few remaining enigmas.
00:10:55.340 --> 00:10:58.520 align:middle line:90%
00:10:58.520 --> 00:11:00.390 align:middle line:84%
This is the kind of stuff
we do with the Amundsen.
00:11:00.390 --> 00:11:01.730 align:middle line:84%
That was last year\'s
activities.
00:11:01.730 --> 00:11:04.040 align:middle line:84%
You guys know what this year\'s
look like already and what the
00:11:04.040 --> 00:11:06.070 align:middle line:84%
continuation of that
will look like.
00:11:06.070 --> 00:11:09.640 align:middle line:84%
We cover a very large chunk of
the Arctic real estate in one
00:11:09.640 --> 00:11:12.020 align:middle line:90%
ArcticNet program.
00:11:12.020 --> 00:11:16.170 align:middle line:84%
The idea is that we can use this
vessel to get us into all
00:11:16.170 --> 00:11:18.770 align:middle line:84%
of the different regions that
we need to look at.
00:11:18.770 --> 00:11:23.090 align:middle line:84%
ArcticNet is occurring at a
very important time, when
00:11:23.090 --> 00:11:27.070 align:middle line:84%
local people are already seeing
the effects of global
00:11:27.070 --> 00:11:31.030 align:middle line:84%
scale climate change here in the
Arctic, and in particular,
00:11:31.030 --> 00:11:33.060 align:middle line:84%
where we are now, in the
Northwest Passage.
00:11:33.060 --> 00:11:36.580 align:middle line:84%
We need to get going on action
to deal with global scale
00:11:36.580 --> 00:11:37.830 align:middle line:90%
climate change.
00:11:37.830 --> 00:11:40.526 align:middle line:90%
00:11:40.526 --> 00:11:43.640 align:middle line:84%
The Amundsen is off on a precise
and almost strategic
00:11:43.640 --> 00:11:46.770 align:middle line:84%
course through the Passage,
heading for Resolute Bay, and
00:11:46.770 --> 00:11:49.290 align:middle line:90%
then to the Beaufort Sea.
00:11:49.290 --> 00:11:52.650 align:middle line:84%
In addition to captaining the
ship, Captain Stephane Julien
00:11:52.650 --> 00:11:54.820 align:middle line:84%
has been charged with the
mission of exploring and
00:11:54.820 --> 00:11:57.090 align:middle line:84%
charting a new route through
the Passage via
00:11:57.090 --> 00:11:59.270 align:middle line:90%
the McClintock Strait.
00:11:59.270 --> 00:12:01.230 align:middle line:84%
There\'s a gateway
out there, eh?
00:12:01.230 --> 00:12:11.050 align:middle line:90%
00:12:11.050 --> 00:12:12.310 align:middle line:90%
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:12:12.310 --> 00:12:46.260 align:middle line:90%
00:12:46.260 --> 00:12:49.450 align:middle line:84%
In the face of the United
States\' legal claims, Canada\'s
00:12:49.450 --> 00:12:52.480 align:middle line:84%
response is to insist on the
specificity of its polar
00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:53.730 align:middle line:90%
environment.
00:12:53.730 --> 00:12:56.500 align:middle line:90%
00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:59.920 align:middle line:84%
Canada\'s primary concern
is environment.
00:12:59.920 --> 00:13:01.050 align:middle line:84%
Secondly, the Arctic
environment
00:13:01.050 --> 00:13:03.360 align:middle line:90%
is incredibly fragile.
00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:05.620 align:middle line:84%
It is on the leading edge
of climate change.
00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:08.330 align:middle line:84%
The changes are happening faster
in the Arctic than
00:13:08.330 --> 00:13:09.080 align:middle line:90%
anywhere else.
00:13:09.080 --> 00:13:12.270 align:middle line:84%
And you have this incredibly
fragile ecosystem that\'s
00:13:12.270 --> 00:13:16.340 align:middle line:84%
highly evolved to survive the
punishing temperatures, to
00:13:16.340 --> 00:13:20.560 align:middle line:84%
live on the very, very edge of
survivability, in the most
00:13:20.560 --> 00:13:22.870 align:middle line:84%
inhospitable part
of the planet.
00:13:22.870 --> 00:13:24.870 align:middle line:84%
And this is obviously
at serious risk.
00:13:24.870 --> 00:13:31.560 align:middle line:90%
00:13:31.560 --> 00:13:33.700 align:middle line:84%
The Northwest Passage
has always been
00:13:33.700 --> 00:13:35.420 align:middle line:90%
legendary for Canadians.
00:13:35.420 --> 00:13:38.230 align:middle line:84%
It\'s the subject of
epic journeys.
00:13:38.230 --> 00:13:41.640 align:middle line:84%
And also, our emotional
attachment to the north is
00:13:41.640 --> 00:13:43.460 align:middle line:84%
reflected in our national
anthem.
00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:47.420 align:middle line:84%
We sing about the true north,
strong and free, and our motto
00:13:47.420 --> 00:13:51.440 align:middle line:84%
is from sea to sea, and
recently, to the other sea, to
00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:54.120 align:middle line:84%
reflect the interest Canadians
have in the north.
00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:56.550 align:middle line:84%
So for us, it\'s a very
emotional tie
00:13:56.550 --> 00:13:58.430 align:middle line:90%
we have to the north.
00:13:58.430 --> 00:14:02.150 align:middle line:84%
And for the US that has always
been more pragmatic in their
00:14:02.150 --> 00:14:04.720 align:middle line:90%
language, they don\'t understand
00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:07.590 align:middle line:90%
Canada\'s emotional talk.
00:14:07.590 --> 00:14:10.020 align:middle line:84%
And so there\'s almost two
different languages being
00:14:10.020 --> 00:14:12.210 align:middle line:84%
spoken, and it doesn\'t
facilitate
00:14:12.210 --> 00:14:13.940 align:middle line:90%
cooperation in that respect.
00:14:13.940 --> 00:14:17.800 align:middle line:90%
00:14:17.800 --> 00:14:21.020 align:middle line:84%
The Arctic, a strategic zone of
the globe during the Cold
00:14:21.020 --> 00:14:23.710 align:middle line:84%
War, was considered by the
United States to be their
00:14:23.710 --> 00:14:27.160 align:middle line:84%
preserve for the passage
of nuclear submarines.
00:14:27.160 --> 00:14:29.890 align:middle line:84%
Their Canadian allies, attentive
to the Soviet threat
00:14:29.890 --> 00:14:33.500 align:middle line:84%
at the time, accepted
the situation.
00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:37.010 align:middle line:84%
In 1970, the tone changed when
the American petrol tanker
00:14:37.010 --> 00:14:40.430 align:middle line:84%
Manhattan, a 300 meter long
vessel with a reinforced hull
00:14:40.430 --> 00:14:43.040 align:middle line:84%
and an ice breaking bow,
attempted to cross the
00:14:43.040 --> 00:14:45.810 align:middle line:84%
Northwest Passage to open up a
route between the American
00:14:45.810 --> 00:14:49.640 align:middle line:84%
east coast ports and the
oil fields of Alaska.
00:14:49.640 --> 00:14:53.020 align:middle line:84%
This attempt clearly displayed
the American will to turn this
00:14:53.020 --> 00:14:55.440 align:middle line:84%
Arctic route into
a free passage.
00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:58.090 align:middle line:84%
A new chapter in US-Canadian
relations had begun.
00:14:58.090 --> 00:15:12.440 align:middle line:90%
00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:16.120 align:middle line:84%
In the first attempt,
the Manhattan was
00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:18.180 align:middle line:90%
only carrying water.
00:15:18.180 --> 00:15:21.480 align:middle line:84%
And it ran aground at some
point, and there was
00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:25.420 align:middle line:84%
considerable damage done to
the Manhattan itself.
00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:28.155 align:middle line:84%
And it\'s thought that it was
this incident that prompted
00:15:28.155 --> 00:15:32.002 align:middle line:84%
then the Canadian government to
put into place legislation
00:15:32.002 --> 00:15:37.090 align:middle line:84%
to protect that very special
marine Arctic environment from
00:15:37.090 --> 00:15:38.760 align:middle line:90%
shipping accidents like this.
00:15:38.760 --> 00:15:42.190 align:middle line:84%
And so the Arctic Waters
Pollution Prevention Act that
00:15:42.190 --> 00:15:46.520 align:middle line:84%
came into place in 1970, after
Manhattan had traversed the
00:15:46.520 --> 00:15:51.000 align:middle line:84%
passage, is really designed
to set up controls
00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:54.860 align:middle line:90%
for commercial shipping.
00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:58.190 align:middle line:84%
By honoring the particularity of
the polar environment, this
00:15:58.190 --> 00:16:01.980 align:middle line:84%
law ratifies the emergence
of ecology and politics.
00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:05.060 align:middle line:84%
In reaction to the American
claims, Ottawa continues to
00:16:05.060 --> 00:16:07.380 align:middle line:84%
seek ways of developing this
notion of environmental
00:16:07.380 --> 00:16:08.630 align:middle line:90%
protection on the archipelago.
00:16:08.630 --> 00:16:16.960 align:middle line:90%
00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:20.610 align:middle line:84%
I think all sides have to come
to the realization that
00:16:20.610 --> 00:16:25.040 align:middle line:84%
operating in the Arctic, even
as the ice diminishes, is
00:16:25.040 --> 00:16:29.370 align:middle line:84%
going to be a high risk,
environmentally dangerous
00:16:29.370 --> 00:16:30.270 align:middle line:90%
proposition.
00:16:30.270 --> 00:16:31.280 align:middle line:90%
There\'s no question about it.
00:16:31.280 --> 00:16:35.960 align:middle line:84%
We know, for example, when the
Exxon Valdez, operating in
00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:39.060 align:middle line:84%
relatively ice free conditions,
went aground, but
00:16:39.060 --> 00:16:42.320 align:middle line:84%
completely destroyed the fragile
ecosystem where it
00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:45.240 align:middle line:90%
lost its oil.
00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:48.290 align:middle line:84%
We know it\'s going to even be
worse should we have an oil
00:16:48.290 --> 00:16:50.478 align:middle line:84%
disaster up in the
high Arctic.
00:16:50.478 --> 00:16:53.970 align:middle line:90%
00:16:53.970 --> 00:16:57.600 align:middle line:84%
In March 1989, the Exxon Valdez
ran aground on the
00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:59.470 align:middle line:90%
Alaskan coast.
00:16:59.470 --> 00:17:03.060 align:middle line:84%
11 of its 13 tanks were ripped
open in the accident, and it
00:17:03.060 --> 00:17:06.740 align:middle line:84%
spilled 40,000 tons of crude
oil over more than 7,000
00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:08.520 align:middle line:90%
square kilometers.
00:17:08.520 --> 00:17:11.670 align:middle line:84%
Thousands of sea mammals, such
as otters and seals, and
00:17:11.670 --> 00:17:16.674 align:middle line:84%
250,000 birds of all species
died in the slick.
00:17:16.674 --> 00:17:19.310 align:middle line:84%
Tens of thousands of volunteers
and unprecedented
00:17:19.310 --> 00:17:22.190 align:middle line:84%
means were mobilized to clean
up a 2,000 kilometer stretch
00:17:22.190 --> 00:17:24.535 align:middle line:90%
of shoreline beach by beach.
00:17:24.535 --> 00:17:26.520 align:middle line:84%
It was by far the
most disastrous
00:17:26.520 --> 00:17:27.770 align:middle line:90%
oil spill in history.
00:17:27.770 --> 00:17:42.930 align:middle line:90%
00:17:42.930 --> 00:17:44.920 align:middle line:84%
In keeping with its law to
prevent the pollution of
00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:48.380 align:middle line:84%
Arctic waters, Canada created
the surveillance organization
00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:50.940 align:middle line:84%
NordREG at the entrance to
the Northwest Passage.
00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:59.800 align:middle line:90%
00:17:59.800 --> 00:18:02.950 align:middle line:84%
In Iqaluit, NordREG has the task
of making sure that all
00:18:02.950 --> 00:18:05.920 align:middle line:84%
ships meet Canadian polar
navigation standards with
00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:08.760 align:middle line:84%
regard to their hulls, the power
of their machines, and
00:18:08.760 --> 00:18:10.085 align:middle line:84%
the qualification
of their crews.
00:18:10.085 --> 00:18:14.950 align:middle line:90%
00:18:14.950 --> 00:18:16.200 align:middle line:90%
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:48.790 align:middle line:90%
00:18:48.790 --> 00:18:51.810 align:middle line:84%
So in other words, we\'ve got
this paradoxical situation
00:18:51.810 --> 00:18:55.510 align:middle line:84%
that we say, any ship entering
Canadian waters has to follow
00:18:55.510 --> 00:18:58.660 align:middle line:84%
Canadian environmental standards
with the sub theme
00:18:58.660 --> 00:19:00.480 align:middle line:90%
that we are in control.
00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:04.580 align:middle line:84%
But we say, oh, by the way, you
don\'t have to report to
00:19:04.580 --> 00:19:06.460 align:middle line:84%
us, but would you
please report?
00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:09.570 align:middle line:84%
But we have not made the
system mandatory.
00:19:09.570 --> 00:19:13.540 align:middle line:84%
We do not say that we as a
nation are so sure of our
00:19:13.540 --> 00:19:17.160 align:middle line:84%
control of the Arctic that you
have to report for coming in
00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:20.010 align:middle line:84%
and you have to be, therefore,
following our laws.
00:19:20.010 --> 00:19:22.680 align:middle line:84%
So it\'s a sneaky way of
pretending that we are in
00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:25.540 align:middle line:84%
control, but leaving the back
door open so the Americans do
00:19:25.540 --> 00:19:27.830 align:middle line:90%
not become too upset.
00:19:27.830 --> 00:19:29.080 align:middle line:90%
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:19:29.080 --> 00:19:47.470 align:middle line:90%
00:19:47.470 --> 00:19:50.320 align:middle line:84%
Paradoxically, while the US
demands free circulation in
00:19:50.320 --> 00:19:53.350 align:middle line:84%
the Northwest Passage, they also
reproach Canada with not
00:19:53.350 --> 00:19:55.180 align:middle line:84%
having the means
to monitor it.
00:19:55.180 --> 00:20:03.370 align:middle line:90%
00:20:03.370 --> 00:20:07.810 align:middle line:84%
For our American friends and
neighbors, at least under the
00:20:07.810 --> 00:20:11.270 align:middle line:84%
Bush administration, and
probably under a subsequent
00:20:11.270 --> 00:20:14.570 align:middle line:84%
administration, the overriding
concern is security.
00:20:14.570 --> 00:20:16.210 align:middle line:90%
It\'s not the environment.
00:20:16.210 --> 00:20:18.480 align:middle line:84%
It\'s the possibility of
the United States
00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:20.060 align:middle line:90%
being attacked again.
00:20:20.060 --> 00:20:24.630 align:middle line:84%
And terrorists using the
Northwest Passage either to
00:20:24.630 --> 00:20:28.660 align:middle line:84%
enter North America, which is
an increasing possibility as
00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:31.790 align:middle line:84%
the amount of activity and the
number of people in the north
00:20:31.790 --> 00:20:37.820 align:middle line:84%
increases every year, or a
terrorist group or a so-called
00:20:37.820 --> 00:20:40.980 align:middle line:84%
rogue state using the Northwest
Passage for
00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:44.140 align:middle line:84%
shipments of weapons of mass
destruction or missile
00:20:44.140 --> 00:20:48.100 align:middle line:84%
components, using it as a
relatively unpoliced,
00:20:48.100 --> 00:20:51.700 align:middle line:84%
unenforced area of the world to
move from the Atlantic to
00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:55.260 align:middle line:84%
the Pacific Ocean, or in
the other direction.
00:20:55.260 --> 00:20:59.710 align:middle line:84%
Bottom line is, we do not have
full surveillance capability,
00:20:59.710 --> 00:21:02.700 align:middle line:84%
let alone full enforcement
capability.
00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.940 align:middle line:90%
We are improving.
00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:06.330 align:middle line:84%
We are taking steps that are
going to allow us to have a
00:21:06.330 --> 00:21:09.240 align:middle line:84%
better picture of what\'s
happening within the Arctic.
00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:11.850 align:middle line:84%
But the bottom line is that
if you do not know what\'s
00:21:11.850 --> 00:21:14.170 align:middle line:84%
happening within your territory,
how can you
00:21:14.170 --> 00:21:15.760 align:middle line:90%
actually try to protect it?
00:21:15.760 --> 00:21:22.530 align:middle line:90%
00:21:22.530 --> 00:21:25.530 align:middle line:84%
To rise to the challenge, Canada
must redeploy a whole
00:21:25.530 --> 00:21:28.850 align:middle line:84%
military arsenal on this immense
Arctic territory.
00:21:28.850 --> 00:21:31.430 align:middle line:84%
Whether it will have the time,
and above all, the means,
00:21:31.430 --> 00:21:32.680 align:middle line:90%
remains to be seen.
00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:35.930 align:middle line:90%
00:21:35.930 --> 00:21:39.970 align:middle line:84%
Canada has always relied upon
the ice to protect its
00:21:39.970 --> 00:21:43.090 align:middle line:84%
national security, which is why
today we have less than
00:21:43.090 --> 00:21:47.130 align:middle line:84%
250 full time soldiers
in our Arctic.
00:21:47.130 --> 00:21:50.390 align:middle line:84%
40% of the second largest
country on earth, and less
00:21:50.390 --> 00:21:53.470 align:middle line:90%
than 250 soldiers.
00:21:53.470 --> 00:21:57.340 align:middle line:84%
That is the reflection of what
I think was a defensible
00:21:57.340 --> 00:21:59.760 align:middle line:84%
position-- that we didn\'t need
an army in the north, because
00:21:59.760 --> 00:22:02.750 align:middle line:84%
it was too inhospitable,
too cold, too much ice.
00:22:02.750 --> 00:22:03.715 align:middle line:90%
Not a problem.
00:22:03.715 --> 00:22:05.440 align:middle line:90%
But today, that\'s changing.
00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:09.580 align:middle line:84%
And so in order to enforce our
claim, and to make reasonable
00:22:09.580 --> 00:22:12.830 align:middle line:84%
arguments to our American and
European allies, we have to
00:22:12.830 --> 00:22:14.900 align:middle line:84%
increase our presence
in the north.
00:22:14.900 --> 00:22:18.890 align:middle line:84%
It\'s helicopters, ice breakers,
surveillance,
00:22:18.890 --> 00:22:23.150 align:middle line:84%
paratroopers, a combination of
different things which any
00:22:23.150 --> 00:22:26.490 align:middle line:84%
country would do, and
Canada will do when
00:22:26.490 --> 00:22:27.250 align:middle line:90%
the necessity arrives.
00:22:27.250 --> 00:22:30.010 align:middle line:84%
And the necessity
is arriving now.
00:22:30.010 --> 00:22:33.330 align:middle line:90%
00:22:33.330 --> 00:22:37.380 align:middle line:84%
250 soldiers to control such a
vast territory basically means
00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:42.370 align:middle line:84%
one man to monitor an area of
14,000 square kilometers.
00:22:42.370 --> 00:22:45.690 align:middle line:84%
In fact, it is above all the
1,500 Inuit reservists who
00:22:45.690 --> 00:22:47.720 align:middle line:90%
ensure a real presence.
00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:49.260 align:middle line:84%
These rangers are scattered
across the
00:22:49.260 --> 00:22:50.520 align:middle line:90%
whole of the far north.
00:22:50.520 --> 00:22:56.690 align:middle line:90%
00:22:56.690 --> 00:22:57.940 align:middle line:90%
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:22:57.940 --> 00:23:46.740 align:middle line:90%
00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:49.890 align:middle line:84%
From Iqaluit to Resolute Bay,
they have covered over 1,500
00:23:49.890 --> 00:23:51.580 align:middle line:90%
kilometers.
00:23:51.580 --> 00:23:54.435 align:middle line:84%
To sail these now navigable
waters, a commercial ship
00:23:54.435 --> 00:23:56.210 align:middle line:90%
would take two days.
00:23:56.210 --> 00:23:59.060 align:middle line:84%
But the Amundsen has
other things to do.
00:23:59.060 --> 00:24:01.310 align:middle line:84%
On its way, it must take
scientific and
00:24:01.310 --> 00:24:03.360 align:middle line:90%
cartographical samples.
00:24:03.360 --> 00:24:06.680 align:middle line:84%
For now, it will stop in
Resolute Bay Harbor to invite
00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:09.470 align:middle line:84%
the representatives of the
Inuit community on board.
00:24:09.470 --> 00:24:18.150 align:middle line:90%
00:24:18.150 --> 00:24:20.690 align:middle line:84%
Resolute Bay will be a necessary
point of passage on
00:24:20.690 --> 00:24:21.940 align:middle line:90%
this new sea route.
00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:25.530 align:middle line:90%
00:24:25.530 --> 00:24:28.070 align:middle line:84%
But in order to set up the new
Arctic zone headquarters
00:24:28.070 --> 00:24:32.770 align:middle line:84%
there, Ottawa must first,
however, convince the Inuits.
00:24:32.770 --> 00:24:35.670 align:middle line:84%
In fact, without them, nothing
is really possible in the
00:24:35.670 --> 00:24:38.960 align:middle line:84%
Arctic, because their
traditional know-how extends
00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.210 align:middle line:84%
to the whole of the
environment.
00:24:40.210 --> 00:24:46.360 align:middle line:90%
00:24:46.360 --> 00:24:50.145 align:middle line:84%
Right now, I don\'t see what
benefits the Inuit can get
00:24:50.145 --> 00:24:54.840 align:middle line:84%
from that, unless there\'s a
negotiation done for the ships
00:24:54.840 --> 00:24:57.500 align:middle line:84%
that will be passing
through here.
00:24:57.500 --> 00:25:03.550 align:middle line:84%
It will be great if the ships
would get their permissions
00:25:03.550 --> 00:25:09.130 align:middle line:84%
first from the Inuit groups,
because when the Inuit used to
00:25:09.130 --> 00:25:13.340 align:middle line:84%
go out seal hunting when the
ice was formed, the ships
00:25:13.340 --> 00:25:16.500 align:middle line:84%
would pass through, and
sometimes there would be a
00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:18.093 align:middle line:90%
damage done to the hunting.
00:25:18.093 --> 00:25:24.140 align:middle line:90%
00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:27.310 align:middle line:84%
Canadian citizens in their own
right, the Inuits have become
00:25:27.310 --> 00:25:30.050 align:middle line:84%
Canada\'s trump card in their
claim to sovereignty over the
00:25:30.050 --> 00:25:31.300 align:middle line:90%
archipelago.
00:25:31.300 --> 00:25:40.000 align:middle line:90%
00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:43.330 align:middle line:84%
They are Canada\'s historical
justification, and thus, not
00:25:43.330 --> 00:25:45.110 align:middle line:90%
to be forgotten.
00:25:45.110 --> 00:25:48.180 align:middle line:84%
In recent years, under
government impetus, Canadian
00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:50.710 align:middle line:84%
ship owners are no longer
reluctant to send freighters
00:25:50.710 --> 00:25:53.730 align:middle line:84%
and tankers to ferry basic
supplies to these remote
00:25:53.730 --> 00:25:54.980 align:middle line:90%
communities.
00:25:54.980 --> 00:26:02.520 align:middle line:90%
00:26:02.520 --> 00:26:05.740 align:middle line:84%
They no longer live in the
same isolation, but more
00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:09.710 align:middle line:84%
importantly, in 1999, after
a 30 year struggle, they
00:26:09.710 --> 00:26:11.830 align:middle line:84%
obtained the creation
and the autonomy of
00:26:11.830 --> 00:26:14.300 align:middle line:90%
their own Nunavut province.
00:26:14.300 --> 00:26:17.130 align:middle line:84%
Their collaboration has
therefore become essential.
00:26:17.130 --> 00:26:19.160 align:middle line:84%
Ottawa can no longer
decide for them.
00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:29.570 align:middle line:90%
00:26:29.570 --> 00:26:32.110 align:middle line:84%
The Qikiqtani Inuit
Association is the
00:26:32.110 --> 00:26:36.150 align:middle line:84%
organization I am also a
director of, as you can see on
00:26:36.150 --> 00:26:38.660 align:middle line:90%
my jacket logo here.
00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.900 align:middle line:90%
That\'s our logo.
00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:43.380 align:middle line:84%
I think we should prove to the
world that we are in control.
00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:47.560 align:middle line:84%
If there is a persistence for
the Northwest Passage to be
00:26:47.560 --> 00:26:52.240 align:middle line:84%
used by other countries, and
they cannot go away, I believe
00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:55.090 align:middle line:84%
there should be a discussion
by our government and the
00:26:55.090 --> 00:26:57.680 align:middle line:84%
people of Nunavut, especially
our area of
00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:59.030 align:middle line:90%
the Northwest Passage.
00:26:59.030 --> 00:27:03.320 align:middle line:84%
And you could be sure our
organization would not just
00:27:03.320 --> 00:27:05.980 align:middle line:84%
stand by and watch
government plans.
00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:09.290 align:middle line:84%
We would make sure our
input is heard.
00:27:09.290 --> 00:27:13.560 align:middle line:84%
We would want to make sure that
the community\'s concerns
00:27:13.560 --> 00:27:14.810 align:middle line:90%
are not ignored.
00:27:14.810 --> 00:27:19.680 align:middle line:90%
00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:20.930 align:middle line:90%
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:27:20.930 --> 00:27:42.880 align:middle line:90%
00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:45.600 align:middle line:84%
Once on board, the Inuit guests
of honor would be able
00:27:45.600 --> 00:27:48.500 align:middle line:84%
to express their fears about
the future in an ice free
00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:52.120 align:middle line:84%
Resolute Bay, where sledges may
give way to cargo ships.
00:27:52.120 --> 00:27:58.530 align:middle line:90%
00:27:58.530 --> 00:28:02.340 align:middle line:84%
So what great things are
in your discovery?
00:28:02.340 --> 00:28:03.800 align:middle line:90%
Well, you should ask this guy.
00:28:03.800 --> 00:28:05.237 align:middle line:90%
He\'s the chief scientist.
00:28:05.237 --> 00:28:06.195 align:middle line:90%
I\'m driving the ship.
00:28:06.195 --> 00:28:09.069 align:middle line:90%
Oh, OK.
00:28:09.069 --> 00:28:13.935 align:middle line:84%
So how long a person
stays in the ship?
00:28:13.935 --> 00:28:15.360 align:middle line:90%
About one month.
00:28:15.360 --> 00:28:16.066 align:middle line:90%
Oh.
00:28:16.066 --> 00:28:17.316 align:middle line:90%
Serve big plates tonight.
00:28:17.316 --> 00:28:19.920 align:middle line:90%
00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:22.684 align:middle line:84%
We\'re taking the rest of my
carrier to learn the Arctic
00:28:22.684 --> 00:28:23.934 align:middle line:90%
entirely in [INAUDIBLE].
00:28:23.934 --> 00:28:30.340 align:middle line:90%
00:28:30.340 --> 00:28:33.260 align:middle line:84%
It\'s important for us to make
connections between the Inuit
00:28:33.260 --> 00:28:36.110 align:middle line:84%
who live here, number one,
because they understand a lot
00:28:36.110 --> 00:28:37.130 align:middle line:90%
of what\'s going on.
00:28:37.130 --> 00:28:40.690 align:middle line:84%
They see it every day, so
they\'re a good view scope, if
00:28:40.690 --> 00:28:43.320 align:middle line:84%
you will, about the changes
that are occurring.
00:28:43.320 --> 00:28:46.610 align:middle line:84%
And it\'s also important for
us to be able to put our
00:28:46.610 --> 00:28:48.920 align:middle line:84%
knowledge in the context of
their traditional knowledge.
00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:54.610 align:middle line:90%
00:28:54.610 --> 00:28:57.050 align:middle line:84%
I\'d like to welcome all of
you from Resolute Bay
00:28:57.050 --> 00:28:58.270 align:middle line:90%
on board the Amundsen.
00:28:58.270 --> 00:29:01.472 align:middle line:84%
I hope you enjoyed the dinner
as much as we did.
00:29:01.472 --> 00:29:02.785 align:middle line:90%
At least it\'s supposed to.
00:29:02.785 --> 00:29:04.690 align:middle line:90%
There it goes.
00:29:04.690 --> 00:29:08.810 align:middle line:84%
So we are right here
in Resolute Bay.
00:29:08.810 --> 00:29:13.940 align:middle line:84%
We use computer models to
project how much the planet
00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:17.490 align:middle line:84%
will increase in temperature,
and we expect temperatures to
00:29:17.490 --> 00:29:23.270 align:middle line:84%
increase considerably in the
Arctic over the next 50 years.
00:29:23.270 --> 00:29:25.918 align:middle line:84%
So if you have any questions,
we\'d be happy to
00:29:25.918 --> 00:29:27.161 align:middle line:90%
try to answer them.
00:29:27.161 --> 00:29:28.411 align:middle line:90%
[INAUDIBLE].
00:29:28.411 --> 00:29:34.119 align:middle line:90%
00:29:34.119 --> 00:29:38.303 align:middle line:84%
We used to travel by dog team,
and we\'d be able to travel to
00:29:38.303 --> 00:29:43.025 align:middle line:84%
Resolute Bay from Somerset in
the month of June no problem.
00:29:43.025 --> 00:29:49.110 align:middle line:84%
But today, they say that it\'s
too dangerous to travel on.
00:29:49.110 --> 00:29:50.520 align:middle line:90%
Yeah, about that.
00:29:50.520 --> 00:29:55.092 align:middle line:84%
Two weeks ago, I listened to
Greenlandic news radio.
00:29:55.092 --> 00:29:59.300 align:middle line:84%
I heard about the Russian
scientists.
00:29:59.300 --> 00:30:04.080 align:middle line:84%
They said in five years,
only five years,
00:30:04.080 --> 00:30:06.360 align:middle line:90%
there\'d be global warming.
00:30:06.360 --> 00:30:09.694 align:middle line:90%
After that, they stop it.
00:30:09.694 --> 00:30:11.286 align:middle line:90%
What do you say about that?
00:30:11.286 --> 00:30:14.230 align:middle line:84%
It\'s pretty hard to stop
global warming.
00:30:14.230 --> 00:30:16.800 align:middle line:84%
It\'s not possible to turn
it off in five years.
00:30:16.800 --> 00:30:22.240 align:middle line:84%
So it\'s something wrong
with the story.
00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.870 align:middle line:90%
There we go.
00:30:22.870 --> 00:30:24.015 align:middle line:90%
Keep you a little bit warmer.
00:30:24.015 --> 00:30:25.675 align:middle line:90%
OK, thank you.
00:30:25.675 --> 00:30:26.525 align:middle line:90%
There we go.
00:30:26.525 --> 00:30:27.918 align:middle line:90%
That sort of fits.
00:30:27.918 --> 00:30:30.790 align:middle line:90%
00:30:30.790 --> 00:30:33.750 align:middle line:90%
OK, bye bye.
00:30:33.750 --> 00:30:35.530 align:middle line:90%
See you!
00:30:35.530 --> 00:30:36.780 align:middle line:90%
Thanks for coming!
00:30:36.780 --> 00:30:52.820 align:middle line:90%
00:30:52.820 --> 00:30:55.760 align:middle line:84%
Following the departure of the
Inuit representatives, the ice
00:30:55.760 --> 00:30:57.840 align:middle line:84%
breaker hoists anchor
during the night.
00:30:57.840 --> 00:31:00.660 align:middle line:84%
The crew is busy setting up the
necessary equipment for
00:31:00.660 --> 00:31:03.530 align:middle line:84%
scientific research, which
will be instrumental to a
00:31:03.530 --> 00:31:05.545 align:middle line:84%
better understanding of these
little known waters.
00:31:05.545 --> 00:31:15.570 align:middle line:90%
00:31:15.570 --> 00:31:19.670 align:middle line:84%
Satellite information, ice
radars, sonars, and sounding
00:31:19.670 --> 00:31:22.200 align:middle line:84%
devices are consulted
around the clock.
00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:25.300 align:middle line:84%
This navigational information
will constitute a database for
00:31:25.300 --> 00:31:27.915 align:middle line:90%
all other ships.
00:31:27.915 --> 00:31:29.165 align:middle line:90%
[INAUDIBLE].
00:31:29.165 --> 00:31:32.370 align:middle line:90%
00:31:32.370 --> 00:31:34.120 align:middle line:90%
It\'s a decisive moment.
00:31:34.120 --> 00:31:38.240 align:middle line:84%
The most direct route due west
is still blocked by ice.
00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.800 align:middle line:84%
So Captain Julien is
heading for the
00:31:39.800 --> 00:31:41.910 align:middle line:90%
dreaded McClintock Strait.
00:31:41.910 --> 00:31:45.350 align:middle line:84%
Deep and wide, this, according
to the Americans, would be an
00:31:45.350 --> 00:31:47.510 align:middle line:90%
ideal international passage.
00:31:47.510 --> 00:31:49.810 align:middle line:84%
Yet, up until now, because
of the ice, it
00:31:49.810 --> 00:31:52.210 align:middle line:90%
has not been navigable.
00:31:52.210 --> 00:31:55.471 align:middle line:84%
Almost entirely uncharted, it
remains to be explored.
00:31:55.471 --> 00:32:04.320 align:middle line:90%
00:32:04.320 --> 00:32:06.950 align:middle line:84%
Before even reaching it, the
McClintock Strait is clearly
00:32:06.950 --> 00:32:08.530 align:middle line:90%
recognizable.
00:32:08.530 --> 00:32:10.580 align:middle line:84%
It seems to be living up
to its reputation for
00:32:10.580 --> 00:32:11.925 align:middle line:90%
impenetrability.
00:32:11.925 --> 00:32:16.150 align:middle line:84%
Blasts of icy water make
the night even darker.
00:32:16.150 --> 00:32:18.530 align:middle line:84%
Oriented due north, it
is a bottleneck for
00:32:18.530 --> 00:32:20.800 align:middle line:90%
currents and winds.
00:32:20.800 --> 00:32:23.080 align:middle line:84%
No boat has ever gotten
through the strait.
00:32:23.080 --> 00:32:25.510 align:middle line:84%
But if it now proves navigable,
it would become the
00:32:25.510 --> 00:32:27.010 align:middle line:90%
best option for ships.
00:32:27.010 --> 00:33:09.924 align:middle line:90%
00:33:09.924 --> 00:33:11.920 align:middle line:90%
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:33:11.920 --> 00:34:18.129 align:middle line:90%
00:34:18.129 --> 00:34:21.360 align:middle line:84%
In this difficult strait, the
Amundsen seems to pass without
00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:23.000 align:middle line:90%
too much difficulty.
00:34:23.000 --> 00:34:25.710 align:middle line:84%
It rolls up and down on the
blocks of ice, crushing them
00:34:25.710 --> 00:34:27.510 align:middle line:90%
with its bow.
00:34:27.510 --> 00:34:29.590 align:middle line:84%
It could perhaps continue
its route, but
00:34:29.590 --> 00:34:32.290 align:middle line:90%
caution is the watchword.
00:34:32.290 --> 00:34:35.170 align:middle line:84%
So the captain consults his crew
and decides it would be
00:34:35.170 --> 00:34:37.510 align:middle line:84%
better to stop in the middle
of the strait to
00:34:37.510 --> 00:34:38.760 align:middle line:90%
weigh up the situation.
00:34:38.760 --> 00:34:43.320 align:middle line:90%
00:34:43.320 --> 00:34:59.394 align:middle line:90%
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:34:59.394 --> 00:35:02.300 align:middle line:84%
To cross the remaining 60
nautical miles of the
00:35:02.300 --> 00:35:05.400 align:middle line:84%
McClintock Strait, the captain
chooses to carry out what he
00:35:05.400 --> 00:35:07.880 align:middle line:90%
calls an ice patrol.
00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:10.230 align:middle line:84%
He\'s going to check if the route
he intends to take is
00:35:10.230 --> 00:35:13.860 align:middle line:84%
navigable, and to what extent
it will remain so for future
00:35:13.860 --> 00:35:15.110 align:middle line:90%
navigation.
00:35:15.110 --> 00:35:28.648 align:middle line:90%
00:35:28.648 --> 00:35:30.624 align:middle line:90%
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:35:30.624 --> 00:36:40.330 align:middle line:90%
00:36:40.330 --> 00:36:43.250 align:middle line:84%
I\'ve been working now in the
Arctic for about 25 years, so
00:36:43.250 --> 00:36:46.380 align:middle line:84%
there\'s no question in my mind
that we\'re losing sea ice.
00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:48.570 align:middle line:84%
The trend is significant,
and it shows a
00:36:48.570 --> 00:36:50.360 align:middle line:90%
very dramatic reduction.
00:36:50.360 --> 00:36:53.580 align:middle line:84%
We no longer have this really
thick multi-year sea ice--
00:36:53.580 --> 00:36:56.770 align:middle line:84%
this really hard ice that has
survived a summer and goes on
00:36:56.770 --> 00:36:59.010 align:middle line:90%
to grow the next winter.
00:36:59.010 --> 00:37:01.700 align:middle line:84%
The ice is difficult to
navigate through.
00:37:01.700 --> 00:37:04.150 align:middle line:84%
It\'s the hazardous
type of ice.
00:37:04.150 --> 00:37:06.870 align:middle line:84%
So as we reduce that kind of
ice, are we going to replace
00:37:06.870 --> 00:37:11.100 align:middle line:84%
it with some other kind of very
rubbled first year ice?
00:37:11.100 --> 00:37:13.400 align:middle line:84%
Because there will be lots of
pressures on the first year
00:37:13.400 --> 00:37:14.880 align:middle line:90%
ice to create this rubbling.
00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:19.400 align:middle line:84%
Are we going to have much
less ice in general?
00:37:19.400 --> 00:37:21.000 align:middle line:84%
These are some of the questions
that we\'re trying to
00:37:21.000 --> 00:37:22.250 align:middle line:90%
answer right now.
00:37:22.250 --> 00:37:28.070 align:middle line:90%
00:37:28.070 --> 00:37:30.520 align:middle line:84%
The presence of ice floe
fragments encourages the
00:37:30.520 --> 00:37:34.080 align:middle line:84%
glaciologists to go out and
observe the texture.
00:37:34.080 --> 00:37:36.730 align:middle line:84%
These drifting plates are
becoming increasingly rare in
00:37:36.730 --> 00:37:37.765 align:middle line:90%
the passage.
00:37:37.765 --> 00:37:40.930 align:middle line:84%
They are the remains
of dying ice floes.
00:37:40.930 --> 00:37:43.730 align:middle line:84%
And even though they are now
further and further apart,
00:37:43.730 --> 00:37:45.720 align:middle line:90%
they remain dangerous.
00:37:45.720 --> 00:37:47.810 align:middle line:84%
Studying them can lead to
predictions on their
00:37:47.810 --> 00:37:49.775 align:middle line:84%
evolution, or even their
disappearance.
00:37:49.775 --> 00:37:55.280 align:middle line:90%
00:37:55.280 --> 00:37:59.160 align:middle line:84%
If you look around on this ice
floe, you\'ll see that it\'s a
00:37:59.160 --> 00:38:01.430 align:middle line:84%
fairly young multi-year
ice floe.
00:38:01.430 --> 00:38:04.400 align:middle line:84%
It has very abrupt, sharp
hummocks, which are the large
00:38:04.400 --> 00:38:06.870 align:middle line:90%
bumps that you see behind me.
00:38:06.870 --> 00:38:10.240 align:middle line:90%
00:38:10.240 --> 00:38:12.780 align:middle line:84%
You can see a crack in the
multi-year floe that had
00:38:12.780 --> 00:38:16.200 align:middle line:84%
actually broken up, and the
wind had been pushing two
00:38:16.200 --> 00:38:19.830 align:middle line:84%
pieces of the floe together,
and the ice is very thin
00:38:19.830 --> 00:38:22.230 align:middle line:84%
there, and this is
typical of how a
00:38:22.230 --> 00:38:26.220 align:middle line:90%
multi-year ice piece decays.
00:38:26.220 --> 00:38:29.300 align:middle line:84%
Sea ice is a very important
part of the whole physical
00:38:29.300 --> 00:38:30.270 align:middle line:90%
system in the Arctic.
00:38:30.270 --> 00:38:33.095 align:middle line:84%
Yet it\'s something quite
tangible that we can measure
00:38:33.095 --> 00:38:34.345 align:middle line:90%
and understand.
00:38:34.345 --> 00:38:45.570 align:middle line:90%
00:38:45.570 --> 00:38:50.160 align:middle line:84%
And this multi-year flow is
quite warm, has very low
00:38:50.160 --> 00:38:54.630 align:middle line:84%
salinity, and is quite weak, so
it\'s fairly easy to break
00:38:54.630 --> 00:38:57.890 align:middle line:84%
this up either with wind or wave
action, or with a ship
00:38:57.890 --> 00:39:02.480 align:middle line:84%
coming through and running
over top of this type of
00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:04.010 align:middle line:90%
multi-year sea ice.
00:39:04.010 --> 00:39:06.910 align:middle line:84%
It\'s going to be much less
hard and much easier to
00:39:06.910 --> 00:39:12.370 align:middle line:84%
navigate in for longer periods
over the summer.
00:39:12.370 --> 00:39:15.470 align:middle line:84%
In fact, the effects of global
warming, combined with the
00:39:15.470 --> 00:39:18.890 align:middle line:84%
progress in hull design, now
enables navigation in Arctic
00:39:18.890 --> 00:39:22.210 align:middle line:84%
waters far beyond the
summer period.
00:39:22.210 --> 00:39:25.500 align:middle line:84%
Already the exploitation of ore
and oil in these regions
00:39:25.500 --> 00:39:27.910 align:middle line:84%
requires boats that can
transport these raw materials
00:39:27.910 --> 00:39:30.810 align:middle line:84%
to their place of processing,
and demand for these types of
00:39:30.810 --> 00:39:33.260 align:middle line:90%
boats is growing increasingly.
00:39:33.260 --> 00:39:36.520 align:middle line:84%
Yet other perspectives are
opening up, too, and for the
00:39:36.520 --> 00:39:40.030 align:middle line:84%
last few years, the Aker Arctic
Company in Helsinki has
00:39:40.030 --> 00:39:41.940 align:middle line:90%
invested in a new market--
00:39:41.940 --> 00:39:45.190 align:middle line:84%
designing bulk carriers,
tankers, and even container
00:39:45.190 --> 00:39:48.310 align:middle line:84%
ships that can operate in
all types of ice on
00:39:48.310 --> 00:39:49.560 align:middle line:90%
trans-oceanic routes.
00:39:49.560 --> 00:40:01.780 align:middle line:90%
00:40:01.780 --> 00:40:04.660 align:middle line:84%
The main emphasis in the testing
is to find out what is
00:40:04.660 --> 00:40:08.410 align:middle line:84%
the ice breaking capability of
the ship in diffident ice
00:40:08.410 --> 00:40:09.660 align:middle line:90%
conditions.
00:40:09.660 --> 00:40:19.400 align:middle line:90%
00:40:19.400 --> 00:40:23.420 align:middle line:84%
We have found out that the ships
that go running astern--
00:40:23.420 --> 00:40:27.190 align:middle line:84%
so the propeller goes first,
and sucks ice and
00:40:27.190 --> 00:40:27.580 align:middle line:90%
[? lubricates ?]
00:40:27.580 --> 00:40:28.810 align:middle line:90%
the hull--
00:40:28.810 --> 00:40:36.270 align:middle line:84%
can reduce the ice resistance
by 50%.
00:40:36.270 --> 00:40:39.475 align:middle line:84%
And then you have an open water
bow, so when you are in
00:40:39.475 --> 00:40:41.730 align:middle line:84%
ice free water, you
go bow first.
00:40:41.730 --> 00:40:44.600 align:middle line:84%
And then we have other
variations where we can also
00:40:44.600 --> 00:40:47.530 align:middle line:84%
have a moderate ice breaking
bow, or even better ice
00:40:47.530 --> 00:40:48.530 align:middle line:90%
breaking bow.
00:40:48.530 --> 00:40:52.330 align:middle line:84%
But the idea is that you can
have a ship always in optimum
00:40:52.330 --> 00:40:55.950 align:middle line:84%
direction, so that those ships
are basically going through
00:40:55.950 --> 00:40:57.320 align:middle line:84%
ice without any ice breaker
assistance.
00:40:57.320 --> 00:41:07.130 align:middle line:90%
00:41:07.130 --> 00:41:11.870 align:middle line:84%
I spent a great many years
in the Northwest Passage.
00:41:11.870 --> 00:41:15.690 align:middle line:84%
It\'s very true that we now today
have the technology to
00:41:15.690 --> 00:41:18.680 align:middle line:84%
design and build ships that
are any match for the
00:41:18.680 --> 00:41:20.680 align:middle line:84%
conditions that the
Northwest Passage
00:41:20.680 --> 00:41:22.170 align:middle line:90%
can give to a navigator.
00:41:22.170 --> 00:41:24.940 align:middle line:84%
And it\'s still a challenge,
because there is no
00:41:24.940 --> 00:41:28.750 align:middle line:84%
infrastructure in the
Canadian Arctic.
00:41:28.750 --> 00:41:31.670 align:middle line:84%
You are definitely come as you
are on your own through the
00:41:31.670 --> 00:41:32.920 align:middle line:90%
Northwest Passage.
00:41:32.920 --> 00:41:36.870 align:middle line:90%
00:41:36.870 --> 00:41:38.160 align:middle line:90%
There are no shipyards.
00:41:38.160 --> 00:41:40.400 align:middle line:84%
There are no tug companies
to support a ship.
00:41:40.400 --> 00:41:42.190 align:middle line:90%
There are no repair yards.
00:41:42.190 --> 00:41:43.780 align:middle line:84%
There are no medevac
facilities.
00:41:43.780 --> 00:41:46.070 align:middle line:84%
There are no pollution
response facilities.
00:41:46.070 --> 00:41:49.140 align:middle line:84%
There are no ports
of any mention.
00:41:49.140 --> 00:41:51.660 align:middle line:84%
So any ship that wants to
transit through the Northwest
00:41:51.660 --> 00:41:54.200 align:middle line:84%
Passage must assume that
it is on its own.
00:41:54.200 --> 00:41:56.955 align:middle line:84%
It must come with its own
support in total.
00:41:56.955 --> 00:42:06.200 align:middle line:90%
00:42:06.200 --> 00:42:08.920 align:middle line:84%
Ships, however, will pass
through here, and the
00:42:08.920 --> 00:42:11.270 align:middle line:90%
countdown has begun.
00:42:11.270 --> 00:42:15.040 align:middle line:84%
Ports must be urgently built in
deep waters to enable ships
00:42:15.040 --> 00:42:16.840 align:middle line:84%
of all sizes, including
the very
00:42:16.840 --> 00:42:20.020 align:middle line:90%
biggest, to dock and refuel.
00:42:20.020 --> 00:42:23.580 align:middle line:84%
In Iqaluit, the capital of
Nunavut, plans are ready, and
00:42:23.580 --> 00:42:26.670 align:middle line:84%
development seems to be
only a matter of time.
00:42:26.670 --> 00:42:29.820 align:middle line:84%
A veritable race has begun,
bringing together all the
00:42:29.820 --> 00:42:31.660 align:middle line:84%
various players of Canadian
sovereignty.
00:42:31.660 --> 00:42:41.670 align:middle line:90%
00:42:41.670 --> 00:42:46.330 align:middle line:84%
This would benefit, if there was
more activity through the
00:42:46.330 --> 00:42:48.060 align:middle line:90%
passage, definitely.
00:42:48.060 --> 00:42:51.350 align:middle line:84%
But you also have to remember
there are other communities
00:42:51.350 --> 00:42:55.840 align:middle line:84%
that do think that they have
the right location.
00:42:55.840 --> 00:42:59.560 align:middle line:84%
But some of these communities
may not have the ability to
00:42:59.560 --> 00:43:03.410 align:middle line:84%
provide the service that
these vessels may need.
00:43:03.410 --> 00:43:08.330 align:middle line:84%
For instance, like I stated
earlier, resupply the ships.
00:43:08.330 --> 00:43:11.790 align:middle line:84%
I don\'t know if they have the
wholesalers there now.
00:43:11.790 --> 00:43:14.910 align:middle line:84%
Maybe it\'s a possible
near business.
00:43:14.910 --> 00:43:20.780 align:middle line:84%
But the air strip is key also,
I think, if we have the
00:43:20.780 --> 00:43:21.970 align:middle line:90%
airport facility.
00:43:21.970 --> 00:43:25.840 align:middle line:84%
So this is the only real
infrastructure that\'s missing
00:43:25.840 --> 00:43:28.300 align:middle line:84%
is the deep sea port, and
we have all the other
00:43:28.300 --> 00:43:29.850 align:middle line:84%
infrastructure in
place already.
00:43:29.850 --> 00:43:33.685 align:middle line:84%
So I think we\'re the
perfect location.
00:43:33.685 --> 00:43:36.720 align:middle line:90%
00:43:36.720 --> 00:43:40.460 align:middle line:84%
So even if we don\'t get
financial backing from
00:43:40.460 --> 00:43:42.730 align:middle line:84%
national defense for sovereignty
issues, I know
00:43:42.730 --> 00:43:46.223 align:middle line:84%
we\'re going to go ahead and try
to find funding for it.
00:43:46.223 --> 00:44:03.720 align:middle line:90%
00:44:03.720 --> 00:44:06.600 align:middle line:84%
Canadian maritime companies
already present in the Arctic,
00:44:06.600 --> 00:44:10.340 align:middle line:84%
like Fednav or the Desgagnes
Group in Montreal readily show
00:44:10.340 --> 00:44:12.020 align:middle line:84%
their interest in port
development on
00:44:12.020 --> 00:44:13.270 align:middle line:90%
the far north route.
00:44:13.270 --> 00:44:16.760 align:middle line:90%
00:44:16.760 --> 00:44:18.010 align:middle line:90%
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:44:18.010 --> 00:45:24.780 align:middle line:90%
00:45:24.780 --> 00:45:28.470 align:middle line:84%
In any case, the formerly
impenetrable McClintock Strait
00:45:28.470 --> 00:45:29.830 align:middle line:90%
now no longer is.
00:45:29.830 --> 00:45:31.990 align:middle line:90%
The route is open.
00:45:31.990 --> 00:45:34.030 align:middle line:84%
The necessary scientific
and cartographic
00:45:34.030 --> 00:45:35.460 align:middle line:90%
data has been collected.
00:45:35.460 --> 00:45:39.430 align:middle line:84%
The Amundsen will soon be able
to head home to Quebec, and a
00:45:39.430 --> 00:45:40.680 align:middle line:90%
moment of reckoning.
00:45:40.680 --> 00:45:50.910 align:middle line:90%
00:45:50.910 --> 00:45:52.790 align:middle line:84%
Can you imagine being a shipping
company that wants to
00:45:52.790 --> 00:45:56.080 align:middle line:84%
get goods quickly between
Europe and Asia?
00:45:56.080 --> 00:45:58.520 align:middle line:84%
Makes a lot of sense to
go across the pole.
00:45:58.520 --> 00:46:01.150 align:middle line:84%
Now, the second question is,
what\'s the risk of this?
00:46:01.150 --> 00:46:04.070 align:middle line:84%
Well, the risk is associated
with multi-year sea ice.
00:46:04.070 --> 00:46:08.570 align:middle line:84%
So if we reduce multi-year sea
ice to a very small amount, or
00:46:08.570 --> 00:46:12.280 align:middle line:84%
get rid of it altogether, I
think the risk associated from
00:46:12.280 --> 00:46:14.345 align:middle line:84%
the physical side of navigation
will disappear.
00:46:14.345 --> 00:46:27.920 align:middle line:90%
00:46:27.920 --> 00:47:16.900 align:middle line:90%
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:47:16.900 --> 00:47:20.150 align:middle line:84%
For the locals, it\'s only
a question of time.
00:47:20.150 --> 00:47:23.020 align:middle line:84%
But for the states concerned,
it is a case of having to
00:47:23.020 --> 00:47:26.390 align:middle line:84%
rethink for the first time the
political approach to a part
00:47:26.390 --> 00:47:28.410 align:middle line:84%
of the world undergoing
the dramatic
00:47:28.410 --> 00:47:29.785 align:middle line:90%
effects of climate change.
00:47:29.785 --> 00:47:33.640 align:middle line:90%
00:47:33.640 --> 00:47:38.010 align:middle line:84%
What the Arctic nations need
to do is to get beyond the
00:47:38.010 --> 00:47:42.880 align:middle line:84%
1980, 1970 sovereignty thinking
in terms that
00:47:42.880 --> 00:47:46.150 align:middle line:84%
sovereignty for itself is
important, and ask the
00:47:46.150 --> 00:47:48.870 align:middle line:84%
question, what, ultimately,
do we want from
00:47:48.870 --> 00:47:50.415 align:middle line:90%
shipping in the Arctic?
00:47:50.415 --> 00:47:54.970 align:middle line:84%
And the two answers that come
from my question is you want
00:47:54.970 --> 00:47:59.570 align:middle line:84%
it to be as environmentally
proactive as possible, and you
00:47:59.570 --> 00:48:02.770 align:middle line:84%
want it to be able to benefit
those who live in the north.
00:48:02.770 --> 00:48:05.490 align:middle line:90%
00:48:05.490 --> 00:48:09.340 align:middle line:84%
And so once you get beyond the
sovereignty baggage that we\'ve
00:48:09.340 --> 00:48:12.860 align:middle line:84%
often carried, I think that is
the way into the future-- some
00:48:12.860 --> 00:48:16.310 align:middle line:84%
multilateral agreement that
deals with the practicalities
00:48:16.310 --> 00:48:17.560 align:middle line:90%
of such operations.
00:48:17.560 --> 00:48:22.260 align:middle line:90%
00:48:22.260 --> 00:48:25.470 align:middle line:84%
In other words, how can the
economic interests of this sea
00:48:25.470 --> 00:48:28.380 align:middle line:84%
route be combined with the
alarming ecological risks it
00:48:28.380 --> 00:48:30.620 align:middle line:90%
represents?
00:48:30.620 --> 00:48:33.380 align:middle line:84%
Obviously, total freedom of
navigation in the Northwest
00:48:33.380 --> 00:48:36.620 align:middle line:84%
Passage needs controlling, and
it is difficult to see how
00:48:36.620 --> 00:48:39.680 align:middle line:84%
this one country could take on
that challenge unless the
00:48:39.680 --> 00:48:42.590 align:middle line:84%
other nations, and in
particular, the United States,
00:48:42.590 --> 00:48:44.760 align:middle line:84%
commit to reconsidering
the exceptional
00:48:44.760 --> 00:48:46.510 align:middle line:90%
character of the setting.
00:48:46.510 --> 00:48:56.980 align:middle line:90%
00:48:56.980 --> 00:48:58.780 align:middle line:84%
It\'s not an opportunistic
argument.
00:48:58.780 --> 00:49:02.810 align:middle line:84%
It\'s an argument based upon our
knowledge of the Arctic.
00:49:02.810 --> 00:49:06.970 align:middle line:84%
And so we should offer to our
allies, the United States, the
00:49:06.970 --> 00:49:10.930 align:middle line:84%
European Union, the full force
of Canadian domestic law-- of
00:49:10.930 --> 00:49:13.360 align:middle line:84%
Canadian regulation and
Canadian enforcement--
00:49:13.360 --> 00:49:18.190 align:middle line:84%
on behalf of not just Canada,
but all of NATO, all of the
00:49:18.190 --> 00:49:20.500 align:middle line:84%
developed countries of the
world, all of the responsible
00:49:20.500 --> 00:49:22.250 align:middle line:84%
shipping companies
of the world.
00:49:22.250 --> 00:49:28.970 align:middle line:90%
00:49:28.970 --> 00:49:32.360 align:middle line:84%
This radical transformation of
part of the planet, which is a
00:49:32.360 --> 00:49:35.260 align:middle line:84%
consequence of global warming,
poses a brand
00:49:35.260 --> 00:49:36.520 align:middle line:90%
new problem to nations.
00:49:36.520 --> 00:49:40.740 align:middle line:90%
00:49:40.740 --> 00:49:44.850 align:middle line:84%
Ecology has entered the
geopolitical arena.
00:49:44.850 --> 00:49:47.870 align:middle line:84%
In the face of increasingly
unbridled commercial logic,
00:49:47.870 --> 00:49:51.380 align:middle line:84%
the countries concerned must
urgently reach agreement.
00:49:51.380 --> 00:49:53.350 align:middle line:84%
It is time they drew up
protective measures to
00:49:53.350 --> 00:49:56.390 align:middle line:84%
safeguard one of the four
cardinal points on earth, the
00:49:56.390 --> 00:49:58.750 align:middle line:84%
north, which is currently
adrift.
00:49:58.750 --> 00:50:52.310 align:middle line:90%