THE deadline for making claims to the seabed passed on Wednesday May 13th. Under the terms of a United Nations treaty, coastal states that had ratified it before 1999 had ten years in which to claim any extension of their continental shelf up to 350 miles from land. Copious scientific data is needed to show that the seabed in question is indeed continental shelf. If they are sucessful, countries can exploit the minerals, oil or gas on or under the seabed, so long as any revenue is shared with poorer and landlocked states. The UN must consider 50 countries' claims, some multiple and in several places, some submitted jointly by several countries in one area. Trouble is brewing in several areas but most notably in the Arctic.
Denmark, SUPERPOWER! As for Russia no surprise, but the conditions in these areas are mind numbing to say the least. So what else is being claimed around the world:
Its interesting how the Islands, tiny they may be are able to literally "balloon" their influence. Notice the Indian Ocean, what future issues and conflicts will arise from this.
0 comments:
Post a Comment