The year that just ended was the hottest ever recorded. The poles, particularly affected by climate change, are experiencing ice melt that is making it easier to access the hydrocarbons they contain. How did these regions become territories to conquer and exploit?
The Earth’s poles have sparked ambitions of conquest since the 19th century, when the first expeditions set out to explore them. Today, the landscapes of the Arctic and Antarctic have changed dramatically: in just 45 years, the ice pack has lost 60% of its surface area. This significant environmental upheaval is facilitating access to the oil and gas trapped beneath the ice, reigniting the ambitions of those, like Russia, eager to exploit these resources. How did the poles become a new global geopolitical nexus? What is the extent of climate change in these regions? And what are the consequences for the populations living there?
