The Fight for the Arctic

For years, the Arctic ice has been retreating, releasing valuable raw materials. The states adjoining the Artic Ocean are interested in the resources and the race to obtain them is on. But the consequences for humans and animals there are dramatic. DocFilm The fight for the Arctic For years, the Arctic ice has been retreating, releasing valuable raw materials. The states adjoining the Artic Ocean are interested in the resources and the race to obtain them is on. But the consequences for humans and animals there are dramatic. Watch video 26:25 The fight for the Arctic’s resources is coming to a head. The states adjoining the Arctic Ocean are positioning themselves, scouting out the land and securing the best sites for getting their hands on the raw materials. Russia already has an ultra-modern nuclear-powered icebreaker in operation. The Norwegian company Statoil is conducting test drilling with its cutting-edge rig "Songa Enabler,” which was designed especially for the Arctic; it’s the most northerly drilling operation in the world. Norway hopes to discover vast natural wealth in the Arctic. But the borders in the Arctic have not yet been set, and a war over resources is always a distinct danger. For the animals of the Arctic, including seals and polar bears, the melting sea ice is also having drastic consequences. They’re losing their habitats and their search for food is becoming increasingly difficult. In addition, the rubbish that is piling up in the Arctic only degrades very slowly and it’s poisoning the animals. Seabirds and whales are dying because they can’t digest the plastic in their stomachs. International fishing fleets are the main culprits when it comes to rubbish in the Arctic. The ice used to be a natural barrier. Now the trawlers can penetrate further and further into the icy ocean and, as a result, catch greater quantities of fish. Overfishing is almost inevitable. Furthermore the huge trawl nets used by the industrial fis