The Faculty hosts a lecture on geopolitics, climate change, and resources in the Arctic
Last Tuesday, April 28, the Faculty hosted the lecture “Geopolitical Arctic and Lapland: Climate Change, Natural Resources, Security & Tourism”, delivered by Esa Posio, professor and specialist at the Lapland University of Applied Sciences.
The lecture addressed the main challenges and opportunities of the Arctic and Lapland from an interdisciplinary perspective, highlighting the interconnection between climate change, natural resources, security, and tourism.
First, it was emphasized that the Arctic is one of the regions most affected by climate change, with warming occurring at three to four times the global average. This phenomenon has direct consequences for ecosystems, infrastructure, and economic activities.
In addition, the growing role of the region in the international geopolitical landscape was analyzed. In recent years, the Arctic has evolved from a space of cooperation into an environment of strategic competition, with increased military presence and rising tensions among global actors.
Another key aspect is the importance of Lapland’s natural resources, particularly critical minerals needed for the energy and digital transition, placing the region at the center of global value chains.
Finally, the challenges of sustainable tourism were discussed, with particular attention to Rovaniemi, which is experiencing rapid tourism growth with significant impacts on the territory and local population.
The session concluded by highlighting the role of the Arctic as a “living laboratory” for analyzing major global challenges and the need for integrated approaches to its future governance.