Evening Lecture | Adm. Robert Papp: Arctic Ocean – The Case for Maritime Governance

Retired Adm. Robert J. Papp Jr., U.S. Coast Guard, "Arctic Ocean – The Case for Maritime Governance," Evening Lecture Series, March 9, 2016.

The changes in our climate are having a substantial impact on the Arctic. A new ocean is emerging as the Arctic Ocean changes from a solid expanse of inaccessible ice fields into a growing navigable sea, attracting increased human activity and various economic and environmental opportunities. The United States is a maritime nation, but we are an Arctic nation as well. The greatness of any maritime nation can be measured by its commitment to providing mariners safe and secure approaches to its shores. And a nation’s prosperity is proportionate to how well it ensures the safe, secure, and efficient movement of trade and commerce to and from its shores. This has been evident throughout maritime history and is becoming a reality in the emerging Arctic.