Channels, Fall 2018

Page 112 Thompson • Seeing Green Map 3: Proposed Caspian and South Stream pipelines; Map taken from Kaya (2016) In contrast though is Gazprom’s acquisition of the Siberian Coal and Energy Company in 2008, expanding its energy production to include coal. Russia has decreased its carbon emissions enough according to international standards to be able to engage in coal production, yet such an action causes concern for long-term environmental strategy as natural gas resources deplete and Russia seeks alternative sources for domestic energy (Kramer, 2008). The Russian Federation has also greatly been interested in development of the Arctic. Climate change and rising temperatures have opened the Arctic Ocean to increased navigable routes and natural resources. In 2011, then Prime Minister Putin, advocated increased exploration and development of the Arctic region as excellent business opportunities, especially within the oil industry (Kramer, 2011). One such area, the Shtokman, a gas field near the Barents Sea, was an important investment for Gazprom during a large portion of the 2000s.Yet by 2015, despite attempts by Gazprom to build an energy powerhouse near the Arctic, little progress has been made in developing the Arctic. Although environmental concerns had an influence in turning investors away from the Arctic, much larger factors were at work in halting development in the Arctic. Economic sanctions by the USA, extreme Arctic conditions, cost of development, and a drop in natural gas prices are the key risks and inhibitors that have halted expansion. However, Russia still maintains invested interest in the region as reporters Myers and Krauss note “the Arctic is at the core of the nationalist ambitions of Mr. Putin, who once said that tapping the region’s resources was as natural as hunting and harvesting berries and mushrooms” (2015). In 2013, the Russian government charged members of Greenpeace for trespassing and interfering with its offshore oil platform in the Arctic. The harsh charges and strong use of force to seize the Greenpeace vessel created an international incident and revealed “the importance of the country’s Arctic strategy” (Myers, 2013). Russia’s disregard for the ship’s