Brasil, um país polar: a presença brasileira na Antártica e as perspectivas no Ártico

Abstract

The global geopolitical interests are one of the factors that influence strategic actions and political relations among States. Basic principles of classical and contemporary geopolitics such as Ratzel’s “living space”, Mahan’s “Sea Power” and Mackinder’s “Heartland” must be known and serve as a support in decision making processes as well as for better understanding prospective scenarios. Earth’s polar regions are areas of extreme climatic characteristics which directly influence the planet’s thermal conditions, in addition to raising disputes and growing geopolitical movements. These important polar spaces have suffered severely with global warming, putting at risk not only that biome, but bringing undesirable consequences to exogenous environments. The geopolitical interests have influenced distinctly the occupation and the exploration of these icy areas. Antarctica has become a humanity heritage with no state sovereignty. The Arctic is experiencing a moment of growing alert, not only for environmental preservation, but also for geopolitical disputes concerning territorial issues and the expansion of economic and military activity in the area. Brazil is present in Antarctica since 1983 and maintains a modern research station on that southern continent. Nonetheless, it has been abstaining itself from cooperating more actively in forums of debate and research about the Arctic. In view of this, the focus of this work is to identify the probable geopolitical interests of Brazil in the northern polar region, more specifically in the scientific, economic, military and political areas, broadening its actions in the polar environment. In order to accomplish it, in the light of basic elements and theories of Geopolitics, the Brazilian presence in Antarctica and the possible gains of Brazil’s activities in the Arctic were evaluated. Therefore, proposals for actions in Antarctica as well as for cooperation in the Arctic were envisioned for the country, in order to contribute for national development and for a greater insertion of the country in the concert of nations.