*Notes
Dr Paul Berkman Lecture
Primary reason for my visit on this occasion was one of the Gresham College free lectures, this time given by Dr Paul A Berkman (Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge University) at the Museum of London.
Entitled "Arctic Ocean State Changes: National Interests and Common Interests", I thought it would cover environmental issues but it was more about the organisations, both governmental and commercial, who have a declared interest in the Arctic, essentially as a trade route (Northeast Passage) and source of new mineralogical resources (oil and natural gas exploration etc).
Dr Berkman was using his paper "Governance and Environmental Change in the Arctic Ocean" SCIENCE Vol324 17 April 2009 as a guide. The lecture was interesting in that it explained just how many countries had a stake in the Arctic, including southern hemisphere countries, some of whom have the global 'reach' (i.e. financial or military clout) that enables them to take part in the discussions.
The lectures are only an hour long, which is just about right to get a flavour of the debate with a few questions. Gresham do a whole stack of these throughout the year, I'm surprised they aren't more widely advertised.
Dr Paul Berkman Lecture
Primary reason for my visit on this occasion was one of the Gresham College free lectures, this time given by Dr Paul A Berkman (Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge University) at the Museum of London.
Entitled "Arctic Ocean State Changes: National Interests and Common Interests", I thought it would cover environmental issues but it was more about the organisations, both governmental and commercial, who have a declared interest in the Arctic, essentially as a trade route (Northeast Passage) and source of new mineralogical resources (oil and natural gas exploration etc).
Dr Berkman was using his paper "Governance and Environmental Change in the Arctic Ocean" SCIENCE Vol324 17 April 2009 as a guide. The lecture was interesting in that it explained just how many countries had a stake in the Arctic, including southern hemisphere countries, some of whom have the global 'reach' (i.e. financial or military clout) that enables them to take part in the discussions.
The lectures are only an hour long, which is just about right to get a flavour of the debate with a few questions. Gresham do a whole stack of these throughout the year, I'm surprised they aren't more widely advertised.