Michael Byers, UBC professor of global politics and international law and bestselling author (Intent for a Nation: What is Canada For?) discusses his new book Who Owns the Arctic? Understanding Sovereignty Disputes in the North (Douglas & McIntyre, 2009), with Joseph Planta; other than the politics and issues of Arctic sovereignty, they also discuss whether Byers will run federally again.

Who Owns the Arctic? Understanding Sovereignty Disputes in the North by Michael Byers. (Douglas & McIntyre, 2009) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Who Owns the Arctic?

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

The Arctic is a hot topic nowadays, but there are knowledge gaps and some misinformation out there. A good primer on Arctic sovereignty and more is Who Owns The Arctic?: Understanding Sovereignty Disputes in the North. Its author, Michael Byers joins me now. The book asks and illuminates many important questions, like who controls the Northwest Passage? Who controls the oil and gas beneath? And how does climate change factor in all of this?

Michael Byers was on last, a couple of years ago for his very fine book, Intent for a Nation. He is the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia. He was the NDP’s candidate in Vancouver Centre in last year’s federal election campaign. And he’s a widely respected expert on the north and more. This book is published by Douglas and McIntyre. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Michael Byers; Good morning, Professor Byers.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (20.2MB)

Subscribe: RSS