The Arctic This Week December 1 - 7, 2014  courtesy: Kunuk Abelsen |
THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES Finnish parliament approves new nuclear plant, though regional environmental groups express concern The Finnish parliament voted to approve Fennovoima’s plan to construct a nuclear power plant in Pyhäjoki in Finland’s Barents region. The controversial project will lead to the construction of the third nuclear plant in the Barents region. The fact that Russian state nuclear energy interest, Rosatom, holds a 34 percent stake in the project has also created controversy in the context of deteriorating relations between Russia and the West (BO). Regional environmental groups have expressed their opposition to the project. The Swedish NGO, Nuclear-free Gulf of Bothnia, presented a petition signed by over 20,000 individuals to the Finnish parliament protesting the new plant (EOTA). Meanwhile, critics of the project in Finland point with concern to the deepening relationship with Russia in Finland’s energy sector (AJ). Walker Sworn In As New Alaskan Governor Republican-turned-Independent Bill Walker has been formally sworn in as Alaska’s 11th governor. Walker, who ran on a unity ticket with former Democratic candidate Byron Mallott, used the event to urge continued cooperation and bipartisanship (FNM). Among his first formal acts as governor was the submission of a USD 5.3 billion placeholder budget – a budget actually drawn up and proposed by outgoing Governor Sean Parnell – for the next fiscal year in order to meet the state’s 15 December deadline, but endorsing the budget as a “work-in-progress.” Parnell’s budget would reduce state spending by some USD 600 million, and Walker is expected to make further cuts to rein in spending (AD,FNM). Walker is also preparing to issue a formal disaster declaration over energy costs in Interior Alaska, though it remains unclear what practical effects the declaration will have (FNM). In Arctic-related news, Walker named Craig Fleener – his former running mate prior to the emergence of the unity ticket, and a former deputy commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game – as a special assistant on Arctic policy. Fleener has worked with the Arctic Council in the past as chair of the Gwich’in Council International, and “had made Arctic issues a key plank in his abandoned campaign for lieutenant governor” (AD). Invasive species as indicator for anthropogenic changes in the environment Professor Thompson, a senior research fellow at the University of Sheffield, UK, argues that invasive species rarely threaten ecosystems, contrary to the panic they induce. Our vigorous battle against them might therefore cause more harm than the invaders themselves. Often, invasive species actually respond to human-induced changes in the environment and do not displace indigenous species, as is often assumed. In view of the warming of the Arctic and the fear of invasive species taking a hold, this is an intriguing argument (CBC). THE POLITICAL SCENE United States In preparation for U.S. Chairmanship of the Arctic Council, check out the PowerPoint outlining its goals and organizational thematic areas from its 2 DecemberVirtual Stakeholder Outreach Forum. Canada Europe ENERGY Falling oil prices spell trouble for states Plummeting oil prices are beginning to spell trouble for companies and states. Alaska’s Department of Revenue projects that prices could continue to fall to USD 65 a barrel, which will translate into a USD 1 billion deficit in the coming year which will have to be covered by the state’s savings (ADN).Alaska, which recently overhauled its state oil taxes in the hopes of encouraging development to reverse production declines and associated drops in state revenue, is also considering a proposal to grant royalty relief to Caelus Energy Alaska to encourage the company to develop a challenging field on the North Slope. Supporters of the royalty relief say it will be a net gain over the projected 30-year production life of the field, while critics say it gives away too much revenue which the state desperately needs (ADN). While the royalty relief program has been active for nearly 20 years in the state, it has only been used on rare occasions (PN). On the other side of the Arctic, Russia is facing a dire fiscal situation due to the collapse of oil prices. The Arctic Journal provides a helpful overview of Russia’s woes with some links to recent media articles to provide different perspectives on the topic. The drastic drop in oil prices has led some to ask: is the Arctic dream dead (OilPrice)? Russia Alaska Finland Canada Oil pipeline in Canada creates problems (KNR - in Danish). Canada turning green (PN). Norway Odfjell dropper oppsigelser (AB).SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE Climate Flora, fauna, ecology Conservation Groups Launch Lawsuit to Protect Montana Grayling (Wildlife News). Caribou and game Science Environmental management Miscellaneous Little house on the prairie... and off the grid (video) (CBC). MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE Many feared dead after South Korean fishing boat sinks in Bering Sea A 326-foot fishing vessel carrying 60 crew – the 501 Oryong– sank 30 November in Russian waters, 15 miles from U.S. waters, with rough seas, bad weather, and poor visibility hampering rescue efforts. Seven survivors were picked up – all suffering from hypothermia – and rescuers have recovered 27 bodies thus far. The search remains underway, with the Russian crews and the U.S. Coast Guard working together on the rescue and recovery efforts (AD,KTUU,AD,AD). Europe United States MINING Historic extraction licenses granted in Russia In Novaya Zemlya, a former Soviet nuclear test site in the Russian Arctic, no military or civilian bodies have been allowed to operate or develop any types of business, including the mining sector, until now. A Rosatom-owned mining company has been granted the license to develop the Pvlovsk deposit for lead and zinc ores, with production planned for 2019 (EOTA). Minor victory for Pebble Partnership The judge for the Alaska federal district court granted the request for a preliminary injunction made by Pebble Partnership, the group planning to develop a mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska, which requires the Environmental Protection Agency to temporarily stop using the U.S. Clean Water Act to preemptively restrict and ban permits for developing the mine project, the final fate of which is still to be determined (PN). Greenland project may be making a comeback PricewaterhouseCoopers has indicated there may be a new buyer to take over London Mining’s Greenland activities following the firm’s declaration of insolvency, which has left the Greenland uranium mining project in limbo. The Greenlandic government must approve any license transfer, so the uranium project isn’t completely out of hot water yet, though this promise of a new investor has breathed new hope into the dying project (The Arctic Journal). A new research report discusses the implications the changing Arctic environment has on the extractive industry, calling for a long-term, supply-and-demand-centered perspective on the issue. (Adjacent Government). A report by Visser Deloitte indicates new methodologies that could be used to improve worker safety at oil sands, calling for the use of data analysis techniques and cultural shifts (CMJ). Cree youth protested the development of uranium mining in their hometown by walking 600 km from Misstissini, Quebec to Quebec City (CBC). Intertech Solutions Announces New Gold Project in Alaska (SYS-CON Media). FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS The “Barents farm” as example for cross-border cooperation Running a dairy farm in the Arctic is not easy, but Birger Bull, a young farmer from Troms county, located on 69 degree northern latitude in Norway, and his family made it possible. Their unusual “Barents Farm” was designed by Nedzad Zdralovicha, a professional engineer and adviser on agricultural issues to the Governor of Finnmark. The building combines the family’s apartment and a big room for 140 cows. According to Birger and Nedzad, the farm is an excellent example of the benefits that can be derived from sharing experiences and expertise across the border (BO). The Sakha Republic as Arctic Trading Zone In her article, Mia Bennett examines the Sakha Republic in the Russian Far East (RFE) as an important Arctic Trading Zone. Historically, there have been strong ties between certain indigenous peoples in the RFE and Alaska. From an economic and infrastructure perspective, the region forms the eastern part of the Northern Sea Route. Bennett furthermore analyzes the ties between different geographic regions in relation to the Sakha Republic (World Policy). Wood cutting on social media - Wayne Hunter the Wood Cutter Using social media is probably an unconventional marketing strategy for a wood cutter. Roughly ten years ago, Hunter started cutting wood on the weekends to pay for his 12 children’s food after his retirement from the military. Hunter’s business has a website, is present on social media and went from selling a few cords a month to 1000 cords a year. The marketing campaign, Free Firewood Fridays, helps to further raise his popularity (NM). Fisheries Shipping Ice-capable research ship is MTU powered (Marine Log). S Korean trawler sinks in Russian Arctic (Herald Sun). Other business and economic news Fire destroys only store in Arctic Alaska village (Kivalina; NM). Store to bring lower prices to Kotzebue (Arctic Sounder). HEALTH, YOUTH, SOCIETY AND CULTURE High rates of Alaskan children in foster care A new report has indicated the continuing high numbers of Alaskan children in foster care, with 1 out of every 100 children in the state in foster care, almost double the national rate. 3 out of every 100 Native children are in foster care. This trend remains despite a push to reduce these numbers, and often the children come from dangerous and neglectful homes, frequently as a result of excessive drinking and drug use by their parents (AD). Funding for women discriminates against Inuit According to Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, an organization that helps female victims of violence, the Canadian Government is discriminating against Inuit women by not adequately funding the organization and by excluding Inuit women from funding designated for shelters (NN). Men join fight against female violence A group of men in Yukon organized a “12 Days to End Violence Against Women” campaign, who want to change the way men express themselves and see a decrease in women who suffer from sexual assault, an issue which is particularly relevant in Yukon, where women are three times as likely to suffer from violent and sexual assault that the rest of Canada (YN). Anniversary of Polytechnique shooting This week was the 25th anniversary of the 1989 shooting of 14 women in the Montreal Massacre at École Polytechnique, and it prompted some reflection and tributes to those who were killed (CBC). One artist took to Twitter, using #Dec6, to honor these women by drawing them, which was well-received and re-Tweeted by many others commemorating the anniversary (CBC). Health The University of Alaska has proposed a new policy that would ban all forms of tobacco from all school property, a measure that is highly divisive, as indicated by the deadlock vote by employees at UAF last year (FNM). Youth and Education Youth in Nunavik got to show off their diverse talents at a talent show this week, which featured a number of both modern and traditional acts as well as performances from local adult musicians, all with the goal of raising youth self-esteem and pride (CBC). The Juneau school superintendent has announced his intention to remove four contentious books from the district’s school curriculum, as many have called into question the historical and cultural accuracy of these books, which deal with Native American history (AD). New anti-smoking campaigns targeting youth feature personal stories from long-term smokers who often started smoking as kids, in hopes that these messages will be more relatable and deter young people from taking up the destructive habit (AD). Society A pilot project, headed by Boyle Street Community Service, is aiming to help Aboriginals in Edmonton in Alberta, Canada to navigate red tape surrounding lost treaty cards (CBC). In Cambridge Bay, residents raised over CAN 3,000 for a local food bank by organizing a fundraiser at a coffeehouse after the annual Santa Claus parade (NN). This opinion piece on the development of the 2-year-old “Idle No More” movement for Indigenous rights is an interesting read, as it provides an insight into the purpose, direction and struggles of the movement (CBC). Statistics Canada reported December 1st that Nunavut, the smallest jurisdiction in Canada, continues to have the highest homicide rate in the country, despite national rates falling to the lowest rates since 1966 (NN). The “Black Lives Matter” protests, which have continued throughout most major US cities in recent weeks following the outcomes of two separate trials where white police officers killed unarmed black men, have made their way to Anchorage, where the NAACP Youth Council led demonstrations, despite the generally positive relationship between citizens and police officers in Anchorage (AD). This reflection on culinary traditions in Denmark is worth reading in light of the “national dish” of Denmark being newly named (The Arctic Journal). A loose dog, dubbed “George the Adventure Dog,” who has been roaming near the Denali highway for the past few months is the subject of discussion for those who are trying to find a safe and humane way to capture him so he can be moved to a safer area away from speeding cars (FNM). VIDEO: Food costs and hunger (CBC). Culture Filmmakers from all over the Barents region gathered at the 2014 Northern Character film festival in Murmansk, which allows artists to share their work and discuss important issues, such as reporting on international events accurately (BO). A Montreal filmmaker, Wiebke von Carolsfeld, is looking for a new young Aboriginal actress to star in her upcoming film, The Saver, which tells the story of a young girl who lost her mother in a particularly harsh winter storm (CBC). The story of Chris McCandles, the man who died in a school bus he was using for shelter in Alaska, and whose story has been told in the recent film Into the Wild, is now featured in a new documentary on PBS in the U.S. (CBC). When most undergraduates study abroad, they visit places like Spain or England. Andrew Wong, an Ontario native, however, chose to spend his time in Igloolik, Nunavut, completing a project on food security and the environment, and his story is worth a read (The Arctic Journal). Circumpolar roots-folk artist set to play Iqaluit: Swedish-born Yukoner takes the stage Dec. 6 (NN). INFRASTRUCTURE United States Europe Abbreviation Key Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) Aftenbladet (AB) Alaska Business Monthly (ABM) Alaska Dispatch (AD) Alaska Journal of Commerce (AJC) Alaska Native News (ANN) Alaska Public Media (APM) Anchorage Daily News (ADN) Arctic Info (Russian) (AIR) Arctic Institute (TAI) Barents Nova (BN) Barents Observer (BO) Bristol Bay Times (BBT) BusinessWeek (BW) Canadian Mining Journal (CMJ) Christian Science Monitor (CSM) Eye on the Arctic (EOTA) Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (FNM) Financial Times (FT) Globe and Mail (G&M) Government of Canada (GOC) Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) Huffington Post (HP) Indian Country Today Media Network (ICTMN) Johnson’s Russia List (JRL) Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa (KNR) Lapin Kansa (LK) Moscow Times (MT) National Geographic (NG) Natural Gas Europe (NGE) Naval Today (NT) New York Times (NYT) Northern Journal (NJ) Northern News Service Online (NNSO) Northern Public Affairs (NPA) Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) Nunatsiaq News (NN) Oil & Gas Journal (OGJ) Ottawa Citizen (OC) Petroleum News (PN) RIA Novosti (RIAN) Russia Beyond the Headlines (RBTH) Russia Today (RT) Voice of Russia (VOR) Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Washington Post (WP) Whitehorse Star (WS) Winnipeg Free Press (WFP) Yukon News (YN) |
