Evento

Bellingham City Club Program May 28th

As climate change leads to accelerated melting of the polar icecap in this decade we will see increased shipping traffic, resource extraction, tourism, and military activity in the Arctic Ocean. Addressing the political, economic, and environmental impacts, governance and regulatory issues, as well as the consequences for Indigenous peoples, is a huge challenge.

City Club is delighted to have Professor Michael Byers and Rear Admiral Jeffrey Garrett offer their views on these profound changes and how they will influence the national and international debates and eventual international policies in regards to the Arctic.

Professor Michael Byers

Michael Byers is Professor and Canadian Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at University of British Columbia. Prior to 2004, he was a Professor of Law and Director of Canadian Studies at Duke University; from 19961999 he was a Research Fellow at Jesus College, Oxford University. Dr. Byers' work focuses on the Arctic, the use of military force, and Canada-United States relations. His most recent book, International Law and the Arctic (Cambridge University Press), was awarded the $50,000 Donner Prize for the best book on public policy in Canada.

Rear Admiral Jeffrey M. Garrett, U.S. Coast Guard, Retired

Rear Admiral Garrett, a graduate of the Coast Guard Academy and the Naval Postgraduate School, spent much of his active duty career in the Coast Guard involved in polar operations and icebreaking. His service includes command of the polar icebreakers POLAR SEA and HEALY and numerous deployments to various parts of the Arctic and Antarctica. Since retiring he has participated in a number of Arctic studies, National Academy of Science committees, ice piloting and consulting projects concerning polar issues. He brings a wealth of information to our meeting about the rapidly transforming Arctic and associated issues.