Managing the Melting Poles: A study of environmental protection management in the Arctic and Antarctic

Abstract: Despite drastically shrinking ice sheets in both the northern- and southernmost point of our planet, the reactions to it are of quite different character. In the Antarctic, the melting ice is unconditionally linked to global warming and disaster, whilst the Arctic sees unveiling economic opportunities. In this essay, the authors attempt to conclude why the environmental protection policy differs in the two polar zones. Using a customised version of regime theory, they examine the different regime structures in terms of origin, rules, decision-making procedures,norms and principles and compare these findings to actions of regime members. They find that the regimes are in fact polar opposites; differing history, legislature, norms, principles and procedures strongly shape the work on environmental protection.