CFR Education: U.S. Arctic Policy Simulation
Provided by: Council on Foreign Relations|Published on: September 18, 2023|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, AP
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Civics, Geography
Authors: CFR Education
Location: Earth, Polar Regions
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This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This case study describes the tactical and economic implications of Arctic sea ice melting and provides guidelines for students to discuss their thoughts on the best course of action.
- Students will read the article and can then choose one of the three given courses of action to support in a class discussion.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This provides enough information for students to take a position on the topic, but encourages them to learn more about each option.
- There is a wide range of discussion options to choose from.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students may need the terms icebreakers, infrastructure, fetter, diplomatic, and others defined, prior to reading the article.
- Consider including background or supporting reading assignments prior to using this article for discussion.
Differentiation
- Geography students can further discuss the advantages and drawbacks of an ice-free Arctic, then predict other changes and events that may occur as a result.
- Geography students can also create a map, demonstrating the tactical and trade advantages an ice-free Arctic provides.
- Students can research the types of resources that are becoming available for extraction in the Arctic and discuss the effects on global warming, wildlife habitat, water quality, and global ecosystems if they are used or extracted.
- Students may benefit from a graphic organizer as they read and determine which stance they side with in the decision point.
This resource from the Council on Foreign Relations is a model diplomacy pop-up case that tasks students with discussing future U.S. Arctic policy. The resource includes an excellent two-page handout that provides background, identifies decisions, and then lists three policy options for students to consider. Several external resources are linked, and the handout does a great job of encouraging students to consider some combination of the three policy options, rather than presenting them as either/or scenarios. An excellent list of guidelines for structuring classroom discussions is provided. This resource provides students with an opportunity to discuss Arctic policy as if they were members of the National Security Council and it is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
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