A bone of contention in geopolitics: One of the barren islands that become visible in Arctic waters as its ice shield melts. © Wired

 

China has made the case that it’s an Arctic state – this is at odds with Russia’s conception of what an Arctic state is.

In August 2019, satellites scanning the Arctic circle noticed a remarkable transformation: the region’s ice receded to such an extent that islands previously submerged beneath glaciers were now visible. The climate crisis has opened up new land that can be exploited for political and economic gain.