The Arctic Institute - Center for Circumpolar Security Studies

Courtesy of ilovegreenland on flickr

By Kevin Casey, Maura Farrell, Doris Friedrich and Seth Myers

The Arctic This Week 2014:8

Welcome and thanks for joining us this week! After break last week we are back to full production this week. If you find TATW useful and fun to read, please share it with others. If you’re not a subscriber yet, you can sign up here. You can find the PDF version of the newsletter here.

As always, all editorial choices, opinions and any mistakes are the authors’ own. To comment, to point out an error or to request a back issue, feel free to contact us directly. Anything that we missed? Please feel free to share material with us if you think it deserves inclusion in TATW.

ARCTIC CONFERENCE AND EVENTS LIST

The Arctic Institute maintains and provides access to a list of Arctic-themed conferences, workshops, and events. You can access the list by clicking on the following link:

Arctic Conference and Events List

Please help us keep this list up to date! If you would like to add an event to the list, please submit the required information including the event’s name, dates, location, description, website address and contact information using this submission form. The list will be updated weekly and a link to the list will be provided each week in TATW.

ARCTIC DIALOGUE 2014

The Arctic Institute is partnering with The High North Center at Bodø Graduate School of Business, University of Nordland, to help facilitate the upcoming conference, Arctic Dialogue 2014. The conference, which will take place 18-20 March in Bodø, Norway, will focus on challenges and opportunities of exploration and utilization of the resources in the Arctic. Confirmed speakers include Iceland’s president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, NUNAOIL Director Hans Kristian Olsen, Captain Jonathan Spaner of the U.S. Coast Guard and Dr. Michael Byers of the University of British Columbia. For a detailed agenda and information on registration, see the event’s website at www.arcticdialogue.com. For more information you can also follow Arctic Dialogue on Twitter at @ArcticDialogue.

READS OF THE WEEK

To begin this week, see this interesting post by Mia Bennett in her new blog Cryopolitics (formerly Foreign Policy Blogs). Bennett uses Google Ngram– a tool she describes as “a way of quantifying culture” – to track the use of the word “Arctic” in English, Russian and Chinese over the past two centuries, pitting recent Arctic interest against the “heyday” of Arctic exploration in the late 19^th century.

In energy reads, see this excellent article from Alex DeMarban at the Alaska Dispatch on how Shell’s decision to cancel work in Alaska’s Arctic this year is dividing communities on the North Slope in unexpected ways. DeMarban’s piece drives home the complexity of interests for Iñupiat in Arctic Alaska who see value in the economic development that Shell’s activities could bring, but worry about the danger that oil and gas development poses to their subsistence food sources and lifestyle.

There was a lot of press this week on Canadian Exercise Arctic Ram taking place in Nunavut. For an interesting perspective on the event, see this article in the Edmonton Sun that highlights the role of the Canadian Rangers, and the unique and important contributions women, in particular, make to the Rangers.

In wildlife news, the Canadian Northwest Territories Species at Risk Committee (SARC) has categorized two more species “at risk”: the Dolphin-Union Caribou herd as a “special concern”, and the northern leopard frog as “threatened”. For all the species assessed, climate change was identified as a threat factor. Communities across the territory were encouraged to apply for the Species at Risk Stewardship Program, which offers funding for local projects designed to protect species at risk (NJ).

As the public discussion over the development of Arctic resources continues, Alistair MacDonald asks an often overlooked question in an article for the Wall Street Journal: can miners make money digging for gold in the Arctic? This great article chronicles how one Arctic gold rush, Agnico’s Meadowbank mine in Nunavut, has faced tremendous operational challenges in the Arctic and may yet fail to turn a profit.

In infrastructure news, plans for a new 40,000 square meter container terminal at Nuuk’s planned new port facility are progressing, according to the government-owned firm in charge of construction. If all goes according to plan, the construction will begin this year with the port operational by 2016 (AJ).

For something different in Arctic business news, read about Meriem Chabani’s project Arctic Harvester that proposes a soil-less agricultural infrastructure, which would benefit from the nutrient-rich fresh water released by melting icebergs while drifting between Canada and Greenland. The project, which won the first prize in the category “Innovation and Architecture for the Sea” of the Jacques Rougerie Foundation International Architecture Competition, is designed to minimize Greenland’s dependence on fresh fruit and vegetable imports (Arch Daily).

Finally, as the world gears up for that sine qua non of dog-sled races – the legendary Iditarod – check out Alaska Dispatch’s unparalleled coverage of the competition, including its Musher Profiles.

THE POLITICAL SCENE

Denmark and Greenland welcome Chinese Arctic involvement

Last week Greenland’s deputy foreign minister and Denmark’s Arctic ambassador visited Shanghai to discuss China’s involvement in the Arctic (Xinhua News). In an interview with China Daily, both politicians expressed interest in continuing to work with China on sea route development, fishing, and mining (AJ). Kai Holm Andersen, Greenland’s deputy foreign minister, said his government is currently in touch with two Chinese mining companies, and that a successful first collaboration “could be an example for other Chinese companies that want to cooperate with Greenland” (The BRICS Post).

Kerry focuses on climate and Arctic issues

In case you missed our Reads of the Week edition last week, the big story on the political scene was Secretary of State John Kerry's announcement that the U.S. will finally appoint an Arctic representative (BO). Naturally the news created a considerable amount of buzz. Peter Gardett of the Center for a New American Security said that the decision “boosts the profile of U.S. engagement with the region at a vital time.” Irene Quaile said in her Ice-Blog that Kerry’s decision, coupled with his recent announcement that the U.S. and China will cooperate and exchange data leading up to the 2015 climate talks in Paris, shows that the Obama administration is coming around to environmental and Arctic issues, even if it’s late to the party. In a speech in Jakarta earlier this month, Kerry called climate change “perhaps the world’s most fearsome weapon of mass destruction” (Grist).

International

China sees Arctic race heating up (The Diplomat).

United States

U.S. needs to break the ice (The Hill).

Russia

Far East Ministry Will Get More Power to Improve Region's Fortunes (The Moscow Times).

Over Easy: Russia to Reorganize Military, US to Appoint Special Envoy for Arctic Region (Firedoglake).

Putin appoints acting governor of Nenets Autonomous Okrug (AIR, in Russian).

Murmansk Duma Speaker removed from position (BO).

Canada

Federal budget focuses on Northern sovereignty” (NJ).

Federal budget brings ‘good news’ for NWT: minister (NJ).

Heritage Fund contributions upped to 25 per cent (NJ).

Devolution bill amendments blocked (NJ).

Tlicho lawsuit won’t stop devolution bill: Ottawa (NJ).

Fort Liard one step closer to settling land claim (NJ).

Councilor decries Canadian Pride flag on Yk city hall (NJ).

ENERGY

Articles in The Maritime Executive and Rigzone both profiled a recent report from the Oil Spill Technology-Joint Industry Program that studies the feasibility of in situ burning of oil in ice-affected waters. Dan Ritzman of the Sierra Club would rather we not need to develop such technologies in the first place as he calls for the Obama administration to cancel upcoming lease sales in the Arctic and turn away from Arctic oil and gas development in a commentary for the Seattle Times.

Norway plans more Arctic exploration, while current exploration shows meagre returns

The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy announced it will release 61 exploration blocks for bidding in the 23^rd License Round later this year. Of these, 54 are in the Norwegian Barents Sea, with a significant number along the recently delimited maritime border with Russia (AJ). Additionally, new blocks in the northern Barents Sea represent the farthest northern progression of oil and gas exploration to date, a fact which has raised concern and outrage amongst environmental groups (BO; AB, in Norwegian). Norway’s expansion to the north and east comes on the heels of disappointing results from exploration elsewhere in the Barents Sea and increasing uncertainty within the oil industry on the commercial feasibility of Arctic oil and gas development. Statoil announced that it found gas but no oil in a fourth exploration well at the Johan Castberg project, a fact that will further damage the long-term prospects of this currently postponed development (BO, Reuters, Bloomberg). Oil industry representatives continue to complain that changes to Norway’s oil and gas taxes last year have compromised the profitability of potential Arctic developments like Castberg (AJ). Others attribute the declining prospects of Arctic oil to an unfavorable commercial environment. With oil prices projected to fall by up to ten percent, many companies are balking at the massive investments that would be required to bring Arctic oil and gas to market. Lundin Petroleum Chairman Ian Lundin said this week that he doesn’t see Arctic oil making its way to market anytime this decade, or the next (Bloomberg). In spite of the challenges, the Norwegian Barents Sea continues to be the most promising area for Arctic oil and gas development due to more favorable environmental conditions and access to infrastructure. Industry participation in the upcoming licensing round with be an important gauge of interest in continued Arctic exploration.

Canada: The next Arctic oil and gas frontier?

Several articles this week suggest that oil and gas work in Canada’s Arctic is set to expand rapidly. I am a skeptic, but let’s see what others have to say. Writing for Oil and Gas Eurasia, Ashok Dutta reports that ConocoPhillips will complete a preliminary study this year on the fields in the Beaufort Sea that the company purchased in 2011. Chevron has also been doing some seismic exploration in the Beaufort along with Statoil. Arctic oil boom in the making? Not so fast: Chevron doesn’t see any production in the Beaufort for 20 or 30 years. Mia Bennet, who can now be found at her new blog at cryopolitics.com, writes that Russia and Canada are the new investment hotspots for Arctic oil and gas. While Bennet and Dutta both concede that projected declines in oil prices will take the wind out of the sails of international oil companies when it comes to the Arctic, both fail to mention the challenge that unconventional resources are playing in presenting very attractive investment alternatives. A panel at the Arctic Business Forum in Rovaniemi next month will look at this very topic (FT). Nor was there any discussion of the stiff political headwinds that energy development in the Beaufort Sea will face. Just this week the Conservatives took flak for offering up portions of a reindeer herding reserve in the Mackenzie Delta for oil and gas exploration (G&M, Star). Another factor to consider: there’s a qualitative difference between a state-owned company like Gazprom that can absorb cost overruns and plow ahead on massive projects in the Arctic, and international oil and gas companies that are beholden to shareholders and must show profitability (Arctic Gas). The Pechora seems a safer bet than the Beaufort from this vantage point.

Total confirms LNG purchases from Yamal

French company Total confirmed that it will purchase almost 25% of the production capacity of the Yamal LNG plant currently under construction in the Russian Arctic (AIR, in Russian). The China National Petroleum Company has also promised to purchase a large portion of the plant’s output, meaning that 75% of the future plant’s capacity is already spoken for (BO). By mid-March Yamal LNG plans to announce which shipping company will transport the LNG from Arctic Russia to Europe. Two potential offloading terminals are under consideration at Dunkirk, France, and Zeebrugge, Belgium (NGE). It looks like Moscow is interested in taking a more active role in Yamal LNG, currently controlled by Russian independent Novatek, with the Russian Direct Investment Fund contemplating the purchase of a 10% stake in the project (AIR, in Russian).

Alaska

The Alaska Minerals commission is encouraging Alaskans to look to coal for their energy needs in the future. The local abundance of coal could help bring down the cost of energy for municipalities and mines that rely on diesel fuel for power (North of 60).

Buccaneer seeks credits for dry well near Homer (FNM).

Supreme Court affirms pipeline value decision (FNM).

BLM document could be step toward oil production at Mooses Tooth in NPR-A (AD).

Senate Resources unveils version of gas line bill (FNM).

Sitka senator proposes oil tax changes he calls fairer (FNM).

Alaska mayors concerned about gas pipeline deal (FNM).

Pellet log sales are hot for North Pole company (FNM).

Alaska battle heats up as years of oil decline predicted (EOTA).

Governor's plan is the wrong way to a gas project (ADN).

Canada

Petition calls for government promise on future NWT fracking (NJ).

Russia

Representatives of the oil and gas business to discuss development of the Timan-Pechora region (AIR, in Russian).

Norilsk industrial region increases reserve gas supply with parallel pipeline (AIR, in Russian).

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Ice melt makes Arctic darker, speeds up global warming

A video from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which shows the amount of old ice in the Arctic from 1987 to 2013, clearly demonstrates that the Arctic sea ice is getting younger. The problem is that younger ice is thinner and melts more quickly, creating large areas of relatively dark ocean surface (Guardian). A research team at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California established that data from instruments aboard several NASA satellites confirms the darkening of the Arctic surface (NASA). This in turn reduces the Arctic albedo (reflectivity). Instead of reflecting solar energy, the ocean therefore absorbs it and warms up (Think Progress). This reinforces the Arctic ice “death spiral” and contributes to global warming, thus further accelerating the melting of Arctic sea ice (Slate).

The increase in temperature is particularly visible this month on the Svalbard archipelago. Over the last month, the average temperature in Svalbard has been around 1.6°C (34.9°F), which is 15 degrees Celsius higher than the normal temperature for this time of the year. Several other extreme weather cases have been observed in the last years on the archipelago (BO).

The changing Arctic’s impacts on global weather

While severe storms and flashfloods in the South and Midwest of the U.S. left 24,000 people without power (DM), the polar vortex is expected to bring another Arctic blast to the East Coast next week (DM). Bruce Bisset links these weather extremes to the warming of the Arctic (NZ Herald) and also The Economist asks in this article if the polar warming is to blame for America and Britain‘s bad winter weather. A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters shows that the increase in the frequency of extreme cyclones in the Arctic is associated with the effects of climate change, such as the decline in atmospheric pressure (e! Science News). In addition, the impact could also alter the jet stream (NPR).

Despite the visible impacts of climate change on some regional weather patterns, there does not seem to be a corresponding sense of urgency to act amongst those most affected. According to Per Espen Stoknes, a psychologist at the Center for Climate Strategy of the Norwegian Business Institute, communication about climate change needs to consider psychological defense mechanisms. The threats of climate change are often depicted as remote in time and space, causing people to underestimate them (AD).

Real-time ice mapping project

Combining radar technology and real time tracking from Inuit ice experts and sensors, the Sea-ice Monitoring and Real Time Information for Coastal Environment project (short SmartICE) could prove lifesaving for many people living and traveling in the Arctic environment (Canadian Geographic).

Climate

Methane microbe may speed up warming (ABC).

Changing face of North Slope caused by warming, development in Arctic Alaska (AD).

In a warming world, Alaska's icy Bering Sea bucks the trend (AD).

Melting Point (York U).

Arctic Sea Ice Sits at Record Low for Mid-February (CC).

Canada’s Arctic ice caps melting rapidly since 2005, according to documents (Canada.com).

Arctic ‘Is Set to Reach 13°C by 2100’ (Truth Dig).

The New Normal (Unearthed).

Is the Arctic Really Drunk, or Does It Just Act Like This Sometimes? (MJ)

Flora and fauna

Alaska Board of Game OKs ‘targeted hunts’ for nuisance moose in Fairbanks (NM).

Two more NWT species identified as ‘at risk’ (NJ).

Alaska: Geese in petroleum reserve find new habitat amid melting sea ice (EOTA).

New study finds Alaska wetlands shrinking (EOTA).

Reindeer get fluorescent antlers to reduce roadkill (CBC).

Arctic ecology and climate change (To the poles).

A snowy-owl bonanza, thanks to a little, stubby-legged Arctic rodent: The lemming (Washington Post).

As Arctic Melts, Marine Mammals Become Sentinels for Disease (The Tyee).

Warming Arctic may be aiding the spread of disease (EOTA).

U.S. man convicted for smuggling narwhal tusks from Canada (NN).

Introducing…Polar Bear Week! (WWF).

Alternative Methods for Monitoring Polar Bears in the North American Arctic (U of Minnesota).

Miscellaneous

Knowledge for a sustainable Arctic (video) (IMARES).

FrostByte C Wesche: Iceberg drift in the eastern Weddell Sea: observation vs model (FrostByte).

Buoys based on new technology yield valuable information on Arctic sea ice thickness(FMI).

Enhanced Arctic sea-ice information(web portal for graphically representing useful information about Arctic sea-ice data) (Anistiamo).

Flame retardant in Antarctic comparable to urban rivers (and Arctic) (ABC).

MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE

Arctic Exercises Underway in Canada

A plethora of Arctic training exercises are currently underway in Canada: Northern Sojourn, in Happy-Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland, and Labrador, features some 1200 soldiers from three countries and will continue until 9 March; Arctic Ram began on 13 February and will continue until the 26^th as some 500 soldiers led by the 3^rd Canadian Division carry out exercises in Kugaaruk, Nunavut; and, Trillium Response – which involved about 350 soldiers from the 4^th Canadian division – just wrapped up on 23 February. In March, Canada will begin Guerrier Nordique and Sabre Glacé in Iqualuit, Nunavut and Resolute Bay, Nunavut, respectively (Canadian Dept. of National Defense). Soldiers participating in Exercise Trillium Response were practicing winter warfare sills, cold-weather survival skills, and acquainting themselves with Arctic equipment (Yahoo News Canada and EOTA); for our more visually-inclined readers, check out the exercise’s Flickr page. Exercise Arctic Ram is similarly focusing on survival skills – as soldiers learn from Canadian Rangers and practice living off the land – and practicing military operations in Arctic conditions, including airborne operations in Arctic conditions (Edmonton Sun). Soldiers participating in Arctic Ram are also discovering the difficulty of logistics and transportation in the High North, while enduring frigid winter temperatures (Calgary Herald).

United States

Often lost in the rhetoric of increasing or decreasing military budgets is the role the military plays in the local economies of towns close to bases. In the Fairbanks News Miner, Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation’s executive director Jim Dodson examines the importance of the military presence at Fort Wainwright to the town’s economy.

Fundraiser will support search effort for missing man (FNM).

Missing Nulato man last seen in Koyukuk (FNM).

Military team prepares for Denali ascent (FNM).

Canada

Ottawa halts plans for new Arctic patrol airplane (AJ).

Russia

In a sign that Russia is looking very far down the road indeed, intelligence units of the Northern Fleet have carried out exercises aimed at disrupting and destroying terrorist groups operating in the Arctic (AIR, in Russian). Preparations are underway for the joint Russian-Norwegian Arctic Exercises Northern Eagle 2014 (AIR, in Russian.)

Russia’s new space rocket on track for launch by June (BO).

Plans to reopen military base on Kola Peninsula (BO).

MINING

Oregon mining company offers to build port in Arctic Alaska

Oregon mining company Sea Pirate Mining (no joke!) has submitted a proposal to the office of Alaska Governor Sean Parnell to construct an Arctic port on the Bering Sea for the price of USD 3.6 billion. The project would involve dredging 7.1 billion cubic meters of sea floor to make an 18 mile channel to the new port. Why would a small Oregon mining company be interested in such a project? Probably because the company suspects there are substantial gold deposits in the sea floor sediments (see Bering Sea Gold on the Discovery Channel if you haven’t already) and has requested mineral rights to the sea floor to help offset the costs of the project (AD).

Alaska

An interesting article in North of 60 Mining News profiles the unlikely career of Texas oil man turned Alaska gold miner Brad Juneau and his Tetlin gold-copper-silver project in eastern Alaska. For another colorful article on Alaska mining, see J.P. Tangen’s commentary on the flap over the Pebble Mine and its potential impact on Bristol Bay fisheries. Tangen’s prose is … well, unique, and his distaste for the EPA apparent. His argument: so a few fish die and a few fishermen get put out of work, they can always get a better paying job up the hill at the mine (North of 60).

Mining News: Capital markets take grim toll on miners (North of 60).

Graphite Creek deposit grows less remote (North of 60)

Russia

Still heavy pollution in border areas (BO).

Chukotka government will assist Australian coal mining company (AIR, in Russian).

Greenland

Danish investment could hold key to Greenland’s mining future (AJ).

Canada

Government crafts plan for Peel region (North of 60).

Premier orders review of BC EA process (North of 60).

Alderon's Kami project passes environmental scrutiny (CMJ).

FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS

Fishing moratorium in Arctic international waters discussed

A three-day meeting will take place in Nuuk, Greenland, this week to discuss commercial fishing in the international waters of the High Arctic beyond the 200-mile exclusive economic zones, which have become increasingly accessible due to climate change. Canada is siding with the U.S. and Denmark in arguing for a moratorium on fishing until the fish stocks and their sustainability have been fully assessed (G&M). David Benton, a member of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, pointed out that after reaching an agreement between the five Arctic states, other nations with major commercial fishing fleets will be invited to negotiate full protection of the Arctic Ocean (L.A. Times).

Fisheries

Angling for endangered fish: conservation problem or conservation action? (Fish and Fisheries)

Diver Roderick braves freezing Arctic waters to supply world's top restaurants with sea urchins (Daily Record).

Shipping

Kirkenes and Murmansk launch tourist ferries (AIR, in Russian).

Construction of nuclear icebreaker series LC -60 may be partially entrusted to foreign Rosatom shipyards (AIR, in Russian).

Russian Arctic LNG Project to Name Shippers, Ports in March (WSJ).

Taking the Arctic shortcut (HHL Lagos) (Maritime Journal).

Arctic Port Project Delayed Indeterminably (Alaska Public).

Other business and economic news

Arctic Tourism and Sustainable Adaptation: Community Perspectives to Vulnerability and Climate Change (Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism).

The Arctic is serious business (Alaskan conference Arctic Ambitions III) (AJ).

Greenlandic glacial water going global (AJ).

Norway trade surplus hit record (BO).

HEALTH, EDUCATION, SOCIETY AND CULTURE

House Bill 216 unanimously advances

Last week, Alaskan lawmakers unanimously approved a bill that seeks to make 20 Alaska Native languages official languages of the state of Alaska (EOTA). The bill, which was advanced by the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee, will now go before the House State Affairs Committee. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, who sponsored the initiative, said the bill “belongs to people across Alaska who believe in the cultural importance of Native languages”(FNM).

Health

Ontario abuse helpline opens up to Nunavut residents (EOTA).

National mental health campaign seeks public access to psychologists (NJ).

Questions raised about mental health services in NWT (NJ).

Overdose sparks look into opioid treatment in NWT (NJ).

Education

Youth and Arctic Governance (NATO Council of Canada).

New Northern Youth leadership camps planned (NJ).

Society

With population shrinking, Canada’s N.W.T. seeks recruits (EOTA).

Arviat, Nunavut is divided ahead of Monday’s booze vote (EOTA).

Feds cut EI benefits in Northern Cities (CBC).

Inuit org takes truth commission report to the communities (NN).

The case of the 200-year-old typo (YN).

No-poverty group happy GNWT “walking the talk” (YN).

Rainbow club forms for LGBTQ youth in Inuvik (NJ).

Culture

Celebrating the Sámi National Day in Murmansk (Arctic Anthropology).

National choir reaches out to Yellowknife seniors (NJ).

Snowshoe workshop weaves tradition with present (NJ).

INFRASTRUCTURE

Russia

There were a number of news items this week on infrastructure developments in Arctic Russia. Local governments are working together to consolidate transportation infrastructure – in particular railroads – in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra, and the Tyumen region (AIR, in Russian). A working group in Yamal is focusing on the implementation of the “Northern Latitudinal” project (AIR, in Russian). Delivery of fuel to the north of Yakutia is underway via a winter road (AIR, in Russian). Authorities in the Chukotka Autonomous District are examining plans to install a runway in the small village of Egvekinot in the hopes of transforming it into a local air hub (AIR, in Russian). In April, Murmansk will host the 4^th“Logistics in the Arctic” Conference, which will focus on economic development in the region (AIR, in Russian).

United States

Parnell proposes more dam money, with contingency (FNM).

SPORTS

Goodbye Sochi, Hello Fairbanks

Now that the Olympics have ended, the Arctic sporting community is gearing up for the 2014 Arctic Winter Games, scheduled to begin 16 March in Fairbanks. The games will marshal the talents of some 2,000 athletes from nine contingents competing in 20 different sports (FNM). In exciting news for spectators, all outdoor sports will be free of charge to watch, while indoor competitions will require purchasing tickets (FNM).

United States

Smooth conditions grace Iditarod Invitational racers (AD).

Riders take to Chena for Tired Iron races (FNM).

Minnick, Olstad claim Iron Dog championship (FNM).

Canada

Check out the Nanook Polar Expedition’s blog.

Europe

In Barents Region, sports leading the way in cooperation (BO).

The mad race in Lapland, a day and a half in the ice (Repubblica, in Italian).

IMAGES AND VIDEO

This week saw a very nice collection of flickr shots, including Dettah Aurora by Jason Simpson, Olympic Closing Gold Medal Sunrise by Bruce McKay, Sunrise over Dettah, NWT by George Lessard, and These Moonlight Desires Haunt Me, The fire bellow, and Frozen Breath by Clare Kines. The Arctic Council also shared a photo from the Traditional and Local Knowledge workshop in Reykjavik last week. On Instagram, Ecojackiejo posted an Inuvik sunset and a sunny dog walk, while susannainlondon posted a photo from her last crossing of the Auyuittuq National Park and arni_coraldo posted a chilly-looking shot of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The Happy Wanderer tweeted a frosty-faced shot of a Kugaaruk, Nunavut resident, Deborah Nixon tweeted the view across Frobisher Bay, Alex Hibbert tweeted a shot with a sled dog, Pamela Roth tweeted a bundled-up Canadian ranger in Nunavut, and Private Sky Aviation tweeted a Hercules operating off an ice strip in the Canadian Arctic. This week’s video is an HD promo for the Aklavik Delta Drummers and Dancers shot in Aklavik, Canada (YouTube).

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)

Arctic Journal (AJ)

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)

Courtesy of ilovegreenland on flickr

By Kevin Casey, Maura Farrell, Doris Friedrich and Seth Myers

The Arctic This Week 2014:9

Welcome and thanks for joining us this week! Well, you know what they say about March: in like a lion, out like a lamb. Those of you on the east coast of North America are certainly hoping this is true as yet another round of Arctic air has descended on the region. Meanwhile, the Iditarod sled dog race has been plagued by warm temperatures and sparse snow this year. Strange winter, indeed. Wherever you are, we hope that you find TATW interesting and entertaining to read. If you’re not a subscriber yet, you can sign up here. You can find the PDF version here.

ARCTIC CONFERENCE AND EVENTS LIST

The Arctic Institute maintains and provides access to a list of Arctic-themed conferences, workshops, and events. You can access the list by clicking on the following link:

Arctic Conference and Events List

READS OF THE WEEK

A post by Mia Bennett, “Unrest in the West: What does Ukraine mean for Russian Arctic gas development?”, provides an interesting take on the recent developments in Ukraine. Bennett argues that while the unrest doesn’t mean Russia will be less likely to develop its northern gas fields, Russia will be “even more likely to look east for importers of its gas” in China, Japan and South Korea.

We would all be well-served by a close reading of Greenpeace’s recent report Frozen Future: Shell’s Ongoing Gamble in the US Arctic. While Greenpeace’s agenda in regards to Arctic drilling is clear, their research in this report is comprehensive and impeccable. Far from being a position piece, this report clearly describes the economic, regulatory and environmental risks Shell faces with its currently paused Arctic exploration campaign.

The top piece of military news this week was the release of the U.S. Navy’s Arctic Roadmap for 2014-2030. The conservative roadmap shows the Navy seeking to operationalize recent White House and Department of Defense strategic guidance on the Arctic.

On a lighter note, see this in-depth series in The Irish Times that chronicles Charlie Bird’s travels in the Canadian Arctic. The collection of interactive features, videos and stories is an informative take on life in the Arctic from an outsider’s perspective.

When it comes to wildlife this week, nothing beats this short video by Luftfoto Finnmark that gives a bird’s eye view of reindeer herding. The patterns drawn by the moving animals are spectacular and demonstrate how we can find art in everyday life (Luftfoto Finnmark).

Last week in Nuuk, Greenland, the five Arctic coastal states discussed the implications for fishing of an increasingly ice-free Arctic Ocean. Although they did not agree on a complete moratorium on commercial fishing, measures are to be taken to deter unregulated fishing while the sustainability of the ecosystem is assessed in detail (Nunatsiaq Online).

In infrastructure news, an article in the Arctic Journal bemoans the latest delay to the Alaska Regional Ports Study from the US Army Corps of Engineers. The authors worry that while the United States pontificates, other countries are moving forward with developing their Arctic infrastructures.

THE POLITICAL SCENE

The Arctic, diplomacy, Ukraine, and the East

While last week’s Arctic-related diplomatic news highlighted the U.S.’s new Arctic representative (EOTA), Russia’s continental shelf claims (VOR), and Canada’s U.S. ambassador’s comments on polar bear intelligence (Examiner), the intensifying situation in Ukraine (NYT) tested the bounds of diplomacy among Arctic countries this week. Canada recalled Ottawa’s ambassador to Moscow (G&M), U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry headed to Kiev (International Business Times), and the EU (The Telegraph), NATO, and Norway condemned Russia’s military escalation in Crimea (NewsinEnglish.no). And in Russia’s Arctic, Murmansk mayor Aleksey Veller indicated his support to Sevastopol’s new pro-Russian mayor, Russian citizen Alexey Chalov (BO). For some analysis of the implications of the situation in Ukraine for Russia’s Arctic gas development, see Mia Bennett’s blog Cryopolitics. Ms. Bennett argues that the developments in Ukraine mean “Moscow will try even more to win Asian customers in order to reduce its dependence on the west.”

Icelanders seek referendum on EU ascension

In response to the Icelandic government’s recent announcement that it was dropping its bid to join the European Union, thousands of protesters assembled in Reykjavik in protest and over 30,000 Icelanders signed a petition demanding a referendum on EU ascension (Business Standard). The Arctic Journal called the protests “more of a family gathering than a Kiev-style revolt,” and stressed that the majority of Icelanders do not support ascension. Arctic-Info similarly maintained that it was the government’s decision to drop its bid without holding a referendum, rather than the lost potential for EU membership, that angered most of the protestors (AIR, in Russian).

International

Sea Lanes of Communication or Misunderstanding?: China, Canada and the Arctic (Canadian International Council).

Asian Giants Look to the Arctic (The Diplomat).

Breaking the ice: how the Arctic 30 revitalized activism (Positive News).

Aesthetics of Wilderness and Sovereignty: The Arctic Ocean between artistic representation and political performance (Christopher McAteer).

Ice and resources: the Arctic as a new “scenario geopolitico” (Geopolitica, in Italian).

Canada should capitalize on seal ban exemption: EU ambassador (NN).

Greenland

Greenland to be featured in London headlines (NORA Region Trends).

Olsvig welcomes meeting with Arctic colleagues (KNR, in Danish).

New report criticizes Greenland on sustainability (KNR, in Danish).

Associate Professor: Hammond has turned up the independence rhetoric (KNR, in Danish).

United States

Exclusive: Interview with U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (Cryopolitics).

Murkowski Representing Nation at International Arctic Conference (Office of the Senator).

Video: Rep. Ben Nageak speaks on Rural Alaska issues, Arctic policy and opening ANWR (Vimeo).

Much ado about America’s Arctic “ambassador” (AJ).

Canada

Nunavut MLAs opt for fixed election dates, code of conduct (NN).

Aboriginal groups agree on formula to split resource royalties (CBC).

Visiting scholar urges college students to break the ‘sovereignty crisis’ mindset (NJ).

Queen won’t interfere on NWT devolution bill (NJ).

Cabinet votes down motion to save regional boards (NJ).

Neighboring First Nations want consultation on Fort Liard claim (NJ).

Russia

New Leader of Russian Arctic Region (BO).

Moscow hosts first Arctic investment summit (AIR, in Russian).

ENERGY

An article in International Environmental Agreements from Coco C. A. Smits, Jan P. M. van Tatenhove,

And Judith van Leeuwen explores issues of authority and governance in relation to the development of Greenland’s oil and gas sector.

Ukraine reverberates through the Arctic

The rapidly unfolding events in Ukraine and souring relations between Russia and the west have reverberated through the world of Arctic energy. After Western powers considered levelling sanctions against Moscow, Rosneft’s share price dropped 4.1 percent and in the blink of an eye BP, which owns a 20% stake in Rosneft, lost USD 4.3 billion in market value (Bloomberg). In some tone-deaf analysis, energy analysts predicted that the Ukraine crisis is a fantastic situation for Statoil. If Russia cuts off gas supplies due to the crisis, prices will skyrocket and Statoil will be able to cash in by increasing supplies to Europe (AB, in Norwegian).

Norway

Norwegian politicians are looking to sell off coal-related investments from the country’s sovereign wealth fund while a new coal mine is being opened on Svalbard, a fact that some have pointed out as a bit of a contradiction (BO). No one seems bothered by the fact that the sovereign wealth fund is based on fossil fuel revenues, even if they are of the less polluting oil and gas variety. A Greenpeace representative called the move “a desperate act to try to maintain Norwegian activity that they believe is necessary to maintain sovereignty” over the remote Island with around 2,500 residents (Bloomberg). Meanwhile Norway’s central bank said it may have to divorce itself from the sovereign wealth fund as the fund has grown too large for the bank to oversee (Bloomberg). What an enviable problem to have!

Norway confirms small Arctic oil find (Reuters).

Canada

Employees of the government of the Northwest Territories complain that they are being pressured not to sign a petition that seeks to require all future fracking applications be subjected to an environmental assessment (NJ). ConocoPhillips, meanwhile, has announced that it wishes to expand its fracking operations at the Sahtu site in the NWT (CBC).

Firewood without flakes (YN).

Fort McKay reaches deal on Dover oilsands project (NJ).

Federal study confirms oilsands tailings leaching into Athabasca (NJ).

Alaska

The Alaska Permanent Fund reached a new record value of USD 50 million this week (FNM), while news broke that the fund, based on revenues from North Slope oil, was investing heavily in North Dakota shale oil. It seems that the Permanent Fund sees potential in unconventional oil while Alaska’s oil production continues to decline (AD).

Parnell absolves future owners of North Pole refinery of liability for groundwater contamination (FNM).

Parnell taps former oil workers for board charged with setting TAPS' tax value (FNM).

Good news for the Arctic: Shell scraps drilling for 2014 (HP).

Russia

An audit by Miller and Lents, Ltd., showed that Russian independent oil company Bashneft holds 2045.3 million barrels of oil equivalent in reserve (AIR, in Russian). Novatek, another Russian independent, is profiting from a zero tax rate recently applied to areas of Northern Russia above the 65^th parallel. According to Novatek’s Chairman Leonid Michelson, the tax cut has allowed them to develop small, marginal fields that would normally not be profitable and increase their production in the Yamal by 50% (AIR, in Russian). Gazprom, meanwhile, announced that it was relocating its main offshore exploration subsidiary from Murmansk to Sakhalin on Russia’s Pacific coast, signaling an important shift in activity towards the Asian market (BO).

LUKOIL begins drilling early in Western Siberia (AIR, in Russian).

Construction of the Yamal-Volga pipeline could begin in 2018 (AIR, in Russian).

Russia and US to discuss capture of methane from Arctic oil and gas development (AIR, in Russian).

Novatek plans to fully load Purovsky plant by 2015 (AIR, in Russian).

Rosneft will invest 3 trillion rubles in the Vankor cluster (AIR, in Russian).

Rosneft to Spend $83Bln Developing Siberian Oil Field (RIAN).

Russian Arctic in North Atlantic sights (Upstream).

The Race for Arctic Oil: Advantage Russia vs. U.S. (Fiscal Times).

Arctic ice thawing: natural resources perspective (VOR).

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

It’s polar bear time!

In Nunavut, Canada, it is now possible to track polar bear through satellite monitoring with a team of researchers counting the bears on the high-resolution images obtained by satellite. This has the advantage of being less intrusive for the animals than for instance aerial surveys using helicopters (NN, Montreal Gazette). This would also prevent the negative consequences of research and handling of the bears as Kelsey Eliasson describes (Polar Bear Science). To get even closer to the polar bears, Google is using its Street View technology in the polar bear capital, Canada‘s Churchill, Manitoba, to look out for bears. Trekker cameras can be placed on bikes, boats, backpacks and dog sleds (G&M). To follow the ‘hunt’, click here (Google Street View).

And in a different take on polar bears, a very interesting article explores the effect media has on our views of the world. Nature photographer Norbert Rosing took pictures of a polar bear playing with a dog in 1991. Whereas these pictures were heavily criticized when first released because of the assumption that the dog was used as bait, the media reports of climate change‘s effect on the polar bear population had completely reversed public opinion 10 years later (NPR).

Arctic Biodiversity Assessment released

The Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA), released by Arctic Council at the May 2013 Ministerial meeting in Kiruna, Sweden, is now available (Arctic Council). It concludes that Arctic biodiversity is under serious threat from man-made climate change (Space Daily). You can download the reports here.

Contributing to global biodiversity, birthday gifts have arrived in Svalbard for the Global Seed Vault’s 10^th anniversary. The Vault was designed to secure crop and food diversity and has received 20,000 new seed samples from around the world (EOTA). You can read more on the ‘doomsday vault’ on BBC.

Whales in the Arctic

The melting of the Arctic sea ice has enabled some subarctic whale species to expand their territory into the newly ice-free waters of the High Arctic. The decreasing ice coverage and thickness further facilitates shipping in the region, leading to a ‘competition’ for space (UPI, News Discovery).

The state of Alaska has filed a petition to have the humpback whale removed from the list of endangered species under the federal Endangered Species Act, arguing that the central North Pacific whales constitute a distinct population. Other humpback whale populations would therefore still remain categorized as endangered (NM). In the meantime Manitoba, Canada, seeks to minimize the impact of increased shipping activity on its beluga whale summer guests in the Hudson Bay (CBC).

Climate

Mantle Methane (Arctic News).

Can liquid water persist within an ice sheet? (NSIDC)

Arctic Warming, Extreme Weather Link Far From Certain (Climate Central).

Why Is Great Lakes Ice Nearing a Record High, While Arctic Ice Hits a Record Low? (TWC)

The Snowman Cometh (One Earth).

Pathogens find new hosts as Arctic ice melts (Earth Times).

Rapid recent retreat of ice in the Russian High Arctic (c3wales).

Deterioration of perennial sea ice in the Beaufort Gyre from 2003 to 2012 and its impact on the oceanic freshwater cycle (Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans).

Flora and fauna

Amphibious hearing in spotted seals (Phoca largha): underwater audiograms, aerial audiograms and critical ratio measurements (The Journal of Experimental Biology).

Muskox hides to be marketed through pilot program (NJ).

As the Planet Warms, What Happens to the Reindeer? (Smithsonian)

Park Service, state clash on Interior wolf killings (NM).

The North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission (NAMMCO) countries met in Norway (KNR, in Danish).

Miscellaneous

Kola bay is environmental “hot spot” (BO).

Aboriginal people may have lived on Beringia for millennia (CBC).

Yukon research critical to circumpolar network (Yukon College).

MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE

U.S. Navy Releases Updated Arctic Roadmap

Following on the heels of the May 2013 National Strategy for the Arctic and the November 2013 Department of Defense Arctic Strategy, the United States Navy has released its much-anticipated Arctic Roadmap for 2014-2030. The roadmap lays out steps to be taken to operationalize the national and DoD strategies in the naval sphere, and “provides guidance necessary to prepare the Navy to respond effectively to future Arctic Region contingencies, delineates the Navy’s leadership role, and articulates the Navy’s support to achieve national priorities in the region.” Rear Admiral Jonathan White, Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy, noted that while the Navy does not anticipate “war-fighting” in the region in the immediate future, the roadmap is important for delineating how capabilities can be improved such that the Navy is prepared for all contingencies (Reuters). The Roadmap calls upon assessments from “an interagency team of Arctic experts from various Navy offices, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Ice Center, the U.S. Coast Guard, and academia” (OC, Nature, and Marine Insight).

U.S. Marines to Participate in Exercise Cold Response 2014

Exercise Cold Response 2014 will kick off on 10 March, bringing together some 15,000 troops in Norway from Europe, Canada, and the United States. Among the participants are about 440 Camp Leujeune-based Marines, including the 2^nd Battalion, 2^nd Marines and the Ragnarok Company, 2^nd Supply Battalion. In preparation, the units have undergone cold weather training at the Mountain Warfare Training Center during January and February (Marine Corps Times and Marforeur). DVIDS has an impressive collection of photos documenting the units’ preparations.

Arctic Weather a Bit Too Brisk for British Troops

Much to the amusement of their Scandinavian counterparts, British soldiers have reportedly been held out of exercises underway at the Allied Training Centre in Porsangmoen, Norway, because of “health and safety” rules prohibiting them from leaving barracks if the temperature outside is too cold (The Local). Somewhat counterintuitively, Spanish and Italian troops are continuing to take part in the exercises unhindered by any cold-weather restrictions (NY Daily News).

United States

UT San Diego has an extensive and far-ranging interview with CNO Adm. Jonathan Greenert; among other topics, Adm. Greenert briefly touches on the Navy’s growing role in the Arctic.

Spartan Brigade conducts its first-ever airborne operation north of the Arctic Circle (DVIDS).

Alaska key in military’s future, Democratic Senator Mark Begich says (Juneau Empire).

Eielson, JBER on Air Force’s short list to act as bases for F-35 fighters (AD).

Coast Guard evacuates crew member from fishing vessel near Cold Bay (AD).

3 rescued after craft sinks near Valdez (FNM).

Alaska Air National Guard rescues 3 snowmobilers (FNM).

Russia

Some 80% of respondents to an Arctic-Info.ru poll believe that Russia needs to increase its presence in the Arctic. The naval exercises Northern Eagle 2014 will be held in April, and will include ships and aircraft from Russia, Norway, and the United States (AIR, in Russian).

Putin’s Arctic Chimera (RussianDefPolicy.wordpress.com).

Europe

The Danish military’s decision to consolidate Greenland Command in Grønnedal into the new Arctic Command in Nuuk has resulted in a rather pricey – and somewhat unexpected – environmental cleanup bill (Ingeniøren, in Norwegian).

Norway plays down conflict risk in the Arctic (Phys.org).

Canada

Canadian Forces reservists launch exercise out of Iqaluit (NN).

Canadian Space Agency boss holds conference on future of space program (The Canadian Press).

Canadian Forces called to help search for overdue Nunavut hunter (NN).

Hercules C-130 dispatched to search for missing hunter (CBC).

Overdue Rankin Inlet hunter found after second aircraft joins search (NN).

MINING

Norway

Norwegian mining company Nussir has broken the Norwegian depth record for hard rock drilling on the way towards discovering extensive copper deposits in Finnmark that could be exploited for decades to come (NORA Region Trends).

Canada

A new mining strategy in Nunavik seeks to double the number of Nunavimmiut employed in the mining industry over the next two years with a particular focus on hiring and retaining women and youth (NN). Next door in Nunavut, Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. reported promising results from exploration work at their Chidliak diamond site on Baffin Island (NN). To the west, the Yellowknives Dene First Nation signed an impact benefit agreement with De Beers to cover the Gahcho Kue diamond mine in the Northwest Territories (NJ).

College celebrates 1,000 employed mining grads (NJ).

Alaska

Noting tech needs, mining companies seek graphite in Alaska (FNM).

Greenland

The government of Greenland has approved the application of True North Gems for a ruby mine in Qeqetarsuatsiaat (KNR, in Danish).

Russia

The government of the far eastern Chukotka Autonomous District has pledged support to the Australian mining company TIG as it seeks to develop large coal deposits near the Bering Sea. The pledge of support will also be accompanied by direct investment in the project by the Russian government through the Russian Direct Investment Fund (AIR, in Russian).

Rare earth deposits in Yakutia put up for auction (AIR, in Russian).

FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS

Shipping

Seminar: Arctic Shipping & Offshore Operations (Den Haag, April 16) (Scheepsbouw Nederland).

How a Death-Defying Sea Voyage Helped Mend the Relationship With My Kids That Divorce Destroyed (HP).

Russia prioritizes Northern Sea Route as fastest, safest way from Europe to Asia (VOR).

Emerging satellite and imaging technologies may help limit the increasing risks to Arctic shipping and exploration (Canadian Geographic).

Icebreaker "50 Years of Victory" moved into the White Sea (AIR, in Russian).

Fisheries

Fishing rights: a never ending battle (Faroe Islands) (AJ).

Big bounce for Arctic aquaculture (Murmansk) (BO).

Other business and economic news

Chukotka plans to create new areas of advanced development (AIR, in Russian).

Taimyr may obtain the status of territory of advanced development (AIR, in Russian).

Yukon downgrades economic outlook (Yukon News).

City, invest in thyself (Anchorage, Alaska) (AJ).

The fur that wants to come in from the cold (Greenland - Denmark) (AJ).

Finnish forests attract foreign buyers – mostly Germans (AD).

HEALTH, EDUCATION, SOCIETY AND CULTURE

Language revitalization in Nunavut and across the Arctic

Nunavut, Canada held its annual Inuit language celebration last month (EOTA). At the circumpolar level, the Arctic Council also hopes to encourage language revitalization. Its Arctic Languages Vitality Project partners with the Arctic Council’s six indigenous peoples organizations to promote indigenous language revitalization. Part of the project includes promoting music in Arctic languages on YouTube. In other language-related news, a new Apple app, “Naqinnerit,” helps teach users Greenlandic (AJ).

Canadians and Finns crack down on Alcohol

Three Nunavut hamlets, Arviat, Chesterfield Inlet, and Kugluktuk, voted last week to maintain their communities’ restrictions on alcohol imports (EOTA, NN). In Finland, the President is expected to give the go-ahead to proposed amendments tightening Finland’s restrictions on alcohol-related advertisement in public places (AD).

Health

Nutritionist shares heart healthy message with college (NJ).

State extends mental health contract in Interior Alaska (FNM).

Wellness conference offers eclectic health spread (NJ).

Society

Social justice project aims to keep Nunavik substance abusers out of jail (NN).

Pauktuutit wants action on violence against Inuit women, but Ottawa denies funding (NN).

Creating a generation of change: the Youth Environmental Ambassadors Program (Indiegogo).

A prison of bars and the mind (AJ).

Iqaluit Tim Hortons guard Roll up the Rim cups (CBC).

Funding targets unemployed older workers in Behchoko (NJ).

Culture

Seeing Glacial Time: Climate Change in the Arctic (Tufts University Art Gallery).

7 Signs Your Lover Loves Their Snowmobile More Than They Love You (Finding True North).

Valerian Ivanovich Albanov and the Land of White Death (Sojourner Travel).

Time Capsules give students a snapshot of 1998 (NJ).

Activity abounds at Aurora College Week (NJ).

Frosty fun at Fort Chip winter carnival (NJ).

INFRASTRUCTURE

Winter Roads to open despite delays; restrictions criticized, then delayed

The opening of the winter road to Old Crow was postponed due to weather delays (EOTA), but is now officially open for business (YN). Meanwhile, after local truckers complained about restrictions on NWT’s Sahtu winter road (CBC), officials relented and postponed the restrictions after temperatures dropped (CBC).

Canada

Broadband Network would increase Nunavik’s GDP: study (NN).

Canadian North announces Iqaluit-Halifax direct flight (CBC).

Russia

Bovanenkovo-Sabetta road will be built by private investors (AIR, in Russian).

The “Northern Latitudinal” enters the homestretch (AIR, in Russian).

Environmental damage reduction strategies studied for construction of Sabetta port (AIR, in Russian).

United States

Villagers suspect a problem of nuclear proportions buried near Point Hope (AD).

SPORTS

2014 Iditarod sled dog race underway

Amidst a “party atmosphere,” the 2014 Iditarod race began this weekend in Anchorage, AK, and was officially re-started in Willow, despite concerns that warm weather would force the re-start to move to Fairbanks (FNM). Some sixty-nine mushers – each with a sixteen-dog team – will traverse 1,000 miles, braving “two mountain ranges, dangerous wilderness and the wind-whipped Bering Sea Coast (FNM).” Despite warm temperatures and sub-optimal trail conditions, Alaska Dispatch reports that the mushers made a fast start towards Nome. For a sense of what training is like – and why mushers keep coming back year after year – check out this video of four-time champion musher Jeff King from Alaska Dispatch. Finally, in interesting Iditarod-related news, researchers are studying how Iditarod dogs – famous for their steely stamina and fierce loyalty (EOTA)– might provide insights into training bomb-detection canines for the military (AD).

Canada

Team Nunavut scratches from 3,300-km Nfld. snowmobile race (CBC).

Nunavik to send team of 88 to Alaska next month for 2014 Arctic Winter Games (NN).

Sochi Olympics a ‘fantastic experience’: Nishikawa (YN).

3 Yukon mushers off to Alaska’s Iditarod race (CBC).

Fort Smith, Fort Chip fishing derbies cancelled (NJ).

Green ends Olympics as Canada’s top male biathlete (NJ).

Europe

Greenland’s victorious handball gentlemen ready for championships (KNR, in Danish).

In times of climate change, Barents ski race called off (BO).

Rovaniemi is gearing up to host the 2014 Winter Swimming World Championship, which will feature some 1200 participants from 33 countries (BO).

United States

Complex security plan coming together for games (FNM).

Tripod raised on Tanana River at Nenana (FNM).

Russia

Yakutia is studying the feasibility of building the world’s only “underground ski tunnel” in an ice cave (AIR, in Russian).

IMAGES AND VIDEO

One of our favorite photographers, Clare Kines, posted “Nestled” and “Dusky Aurora” on flickr this week. The Arctic Council posted a shot of Svalbard taken by Kristin Nymark Heggland and submitted for the Arctic Council’s photography contest. On Instagram, users posted a beautiful shot of Tromsø (jamer2k41), an Arctic sunset in Inuvik (ecojackiejo), a “perfect storm” on the way to Svalbard (mvpgeo), a post-hike “selfie” taken in Nunatsiavut (markbasterfield), and a black and while sled dog shot (nofiltersri). The twitpics of the week include sled dogs at work and a sleepy dog after a full day of travel (alexhibbert), frozen Pelly Bay (Happy_Wanderer2), and an Iqaluit sunset (bronfair). For more Iditarod-related pics, see Alaska Dispatch.

In photo-related news, Inuvik, NWT hosted its first Arctic Image Festival last week (NJ), and the winners of The Arctic and the Northern Sea Route photography contest were announced International Investment Summit of the Arctic in Moscow (AIR, in Russian).

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)

By Kevin Casey During this year’s Arctic Dialogue conference, we’ll be publishing a regular series of short interviews with some of the many speakers and participants at the conference. This project is a collaboration between the High North Center, the University of Nordland, and The Arctic Institute. The podcasts will be available on iTunes via The Arctic Institute, as well as on the Arctic Dialogue website. You can find a list of all podcasts here. You can download a full transcript of the interview here.

Courtesy of the Norwegian Foreign Ministry

By Andreas Raspotnik and Andreas Østhagen As the European Parliament (EP) is set to pass a resolution on the Arctic in its next plenary session on Wednesday March 12, and a Council conclusion on the issue is scheduled for May [1], the Arctic continues to be on the EU’s policy agenda. In its recent plenary in February, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) discussed several questions posted concerning the legality of the Norwegian interpretation of the Svalbard Treaty, enquiring whether the EU (and its Commission) accepts the Fisheries Protection Zone (FPZ) surrounding the archipelago. This is not the first time a MEP has engaged in that particular issue, as former Vice President of the EP Diana Wallis already sparked a debate on the Treaty and its interpretation back in 2011.

The questions this time around were not primarily focused on the Arctic per se, but instead on fishing rights and potential losses for EU-fishermen in a specific Norwegian Arctic area. The issue itself cannot be separated from larger Arctic geopolitics, however, as the Archipelago of Svalbard and its particular international legal arrangement is an essential component thereof. As such, it also intertwines with the EU’s attempt to develop a coherent and comprehensive policy for the Arctic region. With three months to go before the EP elections are held in May, and with the EU’s status as an Arctic Council (AC) observer still pending, one can ask why this topic has now re-surfaced on the EU’s policy table.

The recent discussion in the European Parliament

The Polish MEP Jarosław Leszek Wałęsa, on behalf of the EP’s Fisheries Committee (PECH), directed questions to Maria Damanaki, the EU’s Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. The questions reflect a fear of losing rights to the fishery resources around Svalbard, as sections of its Fisheries Protection Zone (FPZ) were ceded to the Russian Federation as part of the 2010 delimitation treaty establishing the maritime border between Norway and Russia in the Barents Sea.[2]

AsWałęsa formulated it in two of his five written questions:

Does the Commission believe that the Member States which are party to the 1920 Spitsbergen Treaty enjoy equal fishing rights in the Svalbard FPZ?
and
If EU fishermen have lost their right to fish in the Svalbard FPZ east of the Murmansk line, will the Commission consider claims for compensation?

Other MEPs expressed similar positions. Most notably Carmen Fraga Estévez from Spain argued that many EU member states believe that Norway’s interpretation of the Paris Treaty [the Svalbard Treaty] is against international law. Similarly, Maria do Céu Patrão Neves from Portugal expressed a need for the Commission to be firm against Norway and Russia in this matter.

As stated by the Commissioner present, Janez Potočnik, this is a sensitive issue involving one of the EU’s most important partners (Norway) in terms of both Arctic and fisheries issues. The related coverage in Norwegian media already serves as a prime example highlighting this particular addressed sensitivity.[3] In his statement, Potočnik followed a consistent line of argumentation drawing on previous Commission statements on that topic. He highlighted and consequently re-stated a Commission’s 2011 Note Verbales to Norway and itsremarkthat the EU accepts Norway’s practice of the FPZ on the conditions that it is enforced in a non-discriminatory manner and respected by all interested parties.

The Legal Status of Svalbard and its Fisheries Protection Zone

The Svalbard Treaty [4], which was signed 9 February 1920, is a unique combination of sovereignty, internationalization and demilitarization.[5] Coming into force in 1925, the Treaty and its Article 1 respectively, confers the “full and absolute” sovereignty over – the former terra nullius– Archipelago of Spitsbergen/Svalbard [6] to the Kingdom of Norway. However, understood as a diplomatic package deal, the Treaty stipulates that the Norwegian sovereignty is subject to certain conditions, explicitly outlined in the Articles 2 to 9. In particular Article 2 and 3 specify the right of access for maritime, industrial, mining and commercial operations for nationals of all the contracting parties to the territory of Svalbard and its territorial waters. Yet, as the Svalbard Treaty is a pre-UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) settlement, it remains inconclusive if the Treaty applies to maritime areas initially stipulated in UNCLOS, namely the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the continental shelf.[7] The Treaty’s wording indicates that it onlyapplies to the territory and the respective adjacent territorial waters of Svalbard. Both legal concepts – the EEZ and the continental shelf – did not exist in 1920/1925 and are consequently not (explicitly) referred to in the Treaty.

Therefore, the terminologically simple, but politically, legally and diplomatically difficult, question is: Do the stipulated rules of equal treatment – “absolute equality” (Article 3) – apply to these post-1982 maritime areas or not?[8]

The Norwegian perception is rather clear – it does not. A few other states, including the Russian Federation, Iceland, Spain, Portugal or the United Kingdom, however, have at least contested part of the Norwegian interpretation, especially with regard to the legality of Norwegian enforcement jurisdiction in the FPZ.[9] In a report to the Norwegian Storting, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognizes the different views of the geographical scope of the Treaty but simultaneously clarifies its position that the country has always interpreted the Treaty as only applying to the archipelago and its territorial waters.[10] Based on that legal perception Norway did not introduce an EEZ but, in 1977, the now again discussed non-discriminatory FPZ, a 200 nautical mile zone of fisheries jurisdiction around the archipelago. This was intended to ensure the protection and management of the waters’ living resources. However, the indication “non-discriminatory” does only refer to fishing rights for vessels from contracting parties based on their traditional/historical fishing in the discussed area.

courtesy of the Norwegian government

It is important to note that the EU is not party to the Treaty but has, based on the principle of “conferral of competence”,[11] certain exclusive[12] and shared (with its Member States) competences with regard to Svalbard (and its maritime areas). Since the FPZ’s establishment, the Commission has issued several Note Verbales to Norway, mainly in response to incidents involving fishing vessels flying the flag of an EU Member State.[13] The aforementioned 2011 Note Verbales, however, stipulates that the EU conditionally accepts the fishery regulations proposed by Norway if these are applied in a non-discriminatory manner, based on scientific advice and respected by all interested Parties (to the Treaty).[14] Neither the Note Verbales nor Commissioner Potočnik explicitly referred to the issue of Norwegian enforcement jurisdiction in the FPZ.

The EU, the Arctic and European Fisheries

Although the questions brought forward in the EP were not of an Arctic character, and rather focused essentially on fishing rights and potential economic losses, it again exemplifies that the Arctic cannot be perceived as one policy area in itself, but rather as a complex web of different policy fields ranging from fisheries to environment to non-living resources and local development. The EU itself, more specifically the European External Action Service and the Commission, has tried to gather all these threads related to different EU-policies in its 2008 and 2012 communications, envisaging a coherent and comprehensive EU policy for the Arctic – a process that is still underway and has consistently been discussed by members of The Arctic Institute in various articles.

The present case further indicates that the EU has to be analysed as an international actor with many, often varying voices. The opinion of one institutional voice does not necessarily or automatically need to reflect the position of another. The debate and the questions posed in the EP highlight a certain lack of regional-related knowledge, or at least misunderstanding. However, they can also be understood as particular national economic interests amongst MEPs in the light of their bid for votes in the upcoming elections to the EP.

Yet, several questions stand out: How can the Commission participate in a bilateral committee, the Joint Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Commission, which actually lies outside the EU’s legal and geographic competences? Why are MEPs using the term “Murmansk line,” a term not used in any specifically related political and scientific discussions? And why ask if “EU fishermen have lost their right to fish in the Svalbard FPZ east of the Murmansk line,” as quotas for the Barents Sea are allocated to third countries regardless of any particular zone but for the entire Barents (and Norwegian) Sea?

Drawing the attention to one of these particular EU-Arctic policy subfields, namely fisheries, the recently reformed EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and its related consequences is of utmost importance. The struggle around the CFP has been long and tedious with the goal of improving what often has been the most prominent example of a failed EU policy.[15] Its recent reform has been branded as a victory for environmentalists, although it still has a long way to go in enforcing the discharge ban in the most troublesome areas of the Mediterranean Sea.[16] Yet, a large part of the fish stocks in EU-waters might not return to a sustainable or harvestable level, due to prior excessive fishing and a lack of regulation.[17] In the Barents Sea, however, the situation is notably different. After decades of joint management of the existing stocks with Russia, the quotas and the yield of cod particularly have reached record levels in 2012 and 2013.[18] This is related partly to a sustainable management regime, in addition to warmer waters and stocks moving north- and eastwards.[19]

Conclusion

As we are nearing the European election to the EP in May, MEPs are getting more active in articulating the concerns of their constituents. With the new, relatively restrictive reform of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy just in place, and generally high unemployment amongst European fishermen, concerns over the EU “losing out” of potential access in the FPZ around Svalbard are (politically and economically) comprehensible. As this article points out, however, the EU at large (through its Member States that are signatories to the Svalbard Treaty) seems to have chosen to adhere to the protection zone and the Norwegian jurisdiction it implies. This issue ties in with the larger overarching aspiration of the EU to be perceived as a sensible and responsible Arctic actor, whether through its observer status in the Arctic Council, or via its relationship with relevant European Arctic states. With the conflict concerning the ban on seal products from 2009 still unresolved, the European Commission seems to understand the complexities of foreign policy mixed with national resource management based on issues of national sovereignty, and what devas tating effect such apparently small issues might have on the EU’s wider Arctic engagement. It will be interesting to observe if the Commission’s and the EP’s or part of its MEPs perspective/approach in this matter will converge or not.

[1] This is, however, the tentative agenda, which might be changed as it has already been done so multiple times before.

[2] Treaty between the Kingdom of Norway and the Russian Federation concerning Maritime Delimitation and Cooperation in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean, Murmansk 15 September 2010

[3] See for example:Eva Aalberg Undheim (2014). Såg ikkje grunn til kritikk mot Noreg. Nationen.no, 1 March 2014 or Terje Jensen (2014). Stiller spørsmål ved norsk suverenitet i Vernesonen. Fiskeribladetfiskaren, 3 March 2014

[4] In Norwegian: Traktat mellem Norge, Amerikas Forente Stater, Danmark, Frankrike, Italia, Japan, Nederlandene, Storbritannia og Irland og de britiske oversjøiske besiddelser og Sverige angående Spitsbergen [Svalbardtraktaten]. Today 42 states are participants to the Treaty, 20 of them Member States of the European Union, seeUtenriksdepartementets traktatregister: http://emeritus.lovdata.no/traktater/index.html

[5] Clive Archer & David Scrivener (1983). Frozen frontiers and resource wrangles: conflict and cooperation in Northern waters. International Affairs, Vol. 59, Issue 1. Pp. 59 – 76

[6] Spitsbergen is the largest island of (the district of) Svalbard. The Norwegian Svalbard Act, Article 1 (Lov om Svalbard, 1925) constitutes Svalbard as part of the Kingdom of Norway and delineates, based on the Svalbard Treaty, its range from range from 74° to 81° north latitude, and from 10° to 35° east longitude.

[7] However, already the Convention on the Continental Shelf (signed in 1958, entered into force in 1964) establishes the rights of a sovereign state over its continental shelf. However, it is UNCLOS (signed in 1982, entered into force in 1994), that defines the sea warded delimitation of the continental shelf.

[8] Concerning Svalbard’s controversial (maritime) legal status, see David Anderson (2009). The Status Under International Law of the Maritime Areas Around Svalbard. Ocean Development & International Law, Vol. 40, Issue 4. Pp. 373-384 and Geir Ulfstein (1995). The Svalbard Treaty. From Terra Nullius to Norwegian Sovereignty, Oslo.

[9] See for example: Brit Fløistad (2008). Controversy over the Legal Regime outside Svalbard’s Territorial Waters. Focus North 6-2008, Den Norske Atlanterhavs Komiteor Erik J. Molenaar (2012). Fisheries Regulation in the Maritime Zones of Svalbard. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law, Vol. 27. Pp. 3 - 58

[10] Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2005). Opportunities and Challenges in the North. Report No. 30 (2004-2005) to the Storting

[11] Treaty on European Union (TEU), Article 5

[12] For example, the conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy, Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), Article 3

[13] Molenaar, op. cit., p. 22f

[14] Molenaar, op. cit., p. 26

[15] See for example: Tim Daw & Tim Gray (2005). Fisheries science and sustainability in international policy: a study of failure in the European Union's Common Fisheries Policy. Marine Policy, Vol. 29, Issue 3. Pp. 189 - 197 or Setareh Khalilian & et. al. (2010). Designed for failure: A critique of the Common Fisheries Policy of the European Union. Marine Policy. Vol. 34, Issue 6. Pp. 1178–1182

[16] CFP Reform Watch webpage: http://cfp-reformwatch.eu/

[17] See for example: Karl Mathiesen (2013). Can new EU legislation protect fish stocks. Theguardian.com, 17 December 2013 & Axel Naver (2013/2014). State of EU fish stocks: No improvement in the Mediterranean, but some good news in the North Sea. CFP Reform Watch, 6 January 2014.

[18] BarentsObserver, 12 October 2012.

[19] Research Council of Norway (2010). Currents influence fish stocks: More cod in the Barents Sea. ScienceDaily, 5 May 2010.

With kind permission of Clare Kines

By Kevin Casey, Maura Farrell, Doris Friedrich and Seth Myers

The Arctic This Week 2014:10

Welcome and thanks for joining us this week! We hope that you find TATW interesting and entertaining to read. If you’re not a subscriber yet, you can sign up here. You can find the PDF version of the newsletter here.

ARCTIC CONFERENCE AND EVENTS LIST

The Arctic Institute maintains and provides access to a list of Arctic-themed conferences, workshops, and events. You can access the list by clicking on the following link:

Arctic Conference and Events List

TAI’S CURRENT ACTIVITIES

TAI Senior Fellow Kevin Casey and Research Associate Seth Myers were quoted in an article titled “The Navy Lays Out Its Plan for a More Accessible Arctic” on Mashable.com. Analyst Andreas Raspotnik and Senior Fellow Andreas Østhagen co-authored an article on the EU Parliament’s involvement in Arctic issues. The article titled “From Seal Ban to Svalbard - The European Parliament Engages in Arctic Matters” can be found here. Finally, TAI Executive Director Malte Humpert gave a presentation and participated in a panel discussion on Arctic Shipping at CBS' Blue Business and Shipping Conference in Copenhagen on Feb 27. A copy of his presentation titled “The Economic Potential of Arctic Shipping in the 21st Century” is available here. He also attended the Arctic Summit conference and dinner at the invitation of The Economist.

ARCTIC DIALOGUE 2014

READS OF THE WEEK

Instead of starting by directing you to something to read, we suggest that if you haven’t already you should spend some time experiencing the interactive Arctic mapping program ArkGIS, built and hosted by the World Wildlife Fund. ArkGIS places an impressive amount of geographic data at your fingertips with an easy-to-use interface that even the more geographically-challenged will find quite easy to navigate. You can overlay different layers and compare, for instance, shipping traffic and fish distribution, or ice concentration and oil and gas leases. Spend some time on the site, the experience drives home the complex issues that we face in the Arctic when it comes to balancing industry and environment.

Two new political briefings should draw readers’ attention this week. The first is the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ paper on “China’s strategic Arctic interests” which focuses on maritime interests as key to understanding China’s growing involvement in the Arctic. The second is a timely read from Andreas Raspotnik and Andreas Østhagen’s on the European Parliament’s Arctic engagement (ahead of the Parliament’s forthcoming Arctic resolution, which is set to pass today). Their article, which discusses fisheries policy and the EU’s desire to be “a sensible and responsible Arctic actor,” can be found on our website.

In the military realm, an article in the Ottawa Citizen looks at efforts by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to increase and improve its surveillance of the Arctic. According to the Citizen, documents it obtained relating to the “NORAD Next” initiative indicate that as current radar systems near the end of their life cycles in 2020-2025, NORAD will look to replace them with a “‘surveillance network to provide improved multi-domain coverage, particularly in the Arctic region.’”

Science news this week was topped by the story of a 30,000 year old giant virus discovered in a Siberian ice sheet, appropriately named Pithovirus sibericum, which was brought back to life by a team at Aix-Marseille University. Even though the virus infects only amoebae, questions arose about the resurrection of other (giant) viruses, freed by melting ice sheets (Nature). Does this sound like the back story to a zombie apocalypse movie to anyone else?

In business news, the maritime classification society DNV GL has just published its assessment of risk levels in the Arctic, focusing on the risks associated with shipping and industrial activity in the region. If you’re expecting a dry, technical report, you are in for a surprise. While the report incorporates an impressive amount of data, the findings are presented in a clear and readable format that makes for compelling reading, even for the non-specialist. The report and associated Arctic risk maps can be downloaded here.

Our infrastructure read of the week sounds – and looks – like something from a science fiction novel. A group of French students has created a design – known as Arctic Harvester – of a floating superstructure that would utilize icebergs to power the structure and grow foods in greenhouses (DailyMail). The concept is undeniably cool, and far beyond your correspondent’s descriptive powers, so check out the Arctic Harvester’s official website for videos, drawings, thoughts, and descriptions.

The 2014 Iditarod is underway! Follow along live at Alaska Dispatch’s Iditablog. If you just can’t get enough Iditarod, check out links to day-by-day coverage below in the sports section, as well as these videos from Alaska Dispatch featuring mushing greats Dallas Seavey and Martin Buser, and any Norwegian-speakers out there should check out the blog at arcticmusher.com describing the life of a musher.

THE POLITICAL SCENE

Crimean crisis raises concerns among Arctic stakeholders

Iceland’s Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson made headlines this week when he expressed concern over the “ripple effect” of Russian actions in Crimea (The Toronto Star). While on a trade mission to Edmonton, Canada, the Prime Minister expressed worries that Russia’s tactics – which he argues create “a sense of insecurity and maybe lack of trust” – might hamper the Arctic Council’s decision-making capabilities (The Reykjavik Greapvine). Gunnlaugsson hasn’t been the only leader to raise concerns. Former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton noted in a speech in Calgary, Alberta that Russian aggression in Ukraine and the reopening of Soviet military bases in the Arctic threatens to militarize the Arctic region (The National Post). The Arctic Journal’s Kevin McGwin argued that while leaders of Arctic countries have been disapproving of Russia’s actions (Sweden’s princess Victoria cancelled her trip to the Sochi Paralympics and Stephen Harper stated that Russia had violated international law), Arctic leaders have “prevented their disagreements from spreading north.” Edle Astrup Tschudi similarly highlighted Russia’s cooperation in the Arctic, where Russia has less bargaining power than with post-Soviet states, as a “stark contrast” to its relationships with Ukraine and Georgia (The Brown Political Review). With the fall in the Russian ruble likely to harm the Finnish economy (AD), and NATO’s “overt threats” (according to Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Rogozin) likely to result in a beef-up of Russian defense (BO), staying levelheaded on Arctic issues may be a trying task.

Icelandic foreign policy and the “Arctic model”

A number of political moves confirmed Iceland’s intentions to be a major Arctic player. Speaking at The Economist’s Arctic Summit, Iceland’s foreign minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson outlined his case for investment and business partnership with Iceland in the Arctic. In an interview with Xinhua at the summit, Sveinsson expressed a desire to work even closer with China to develop the Arctic (New Europe Online, AIR). President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, speaking on clean energy at the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research, also highlighted the Arctic, suggesting that the Middle East should draw upon the Arctic example as a model of conflict resolution and international cooperation (The National). Articles on Iceland’s foreign policy and its alliance with China also appeared in The Arctic Journal this week.

Russia

Sochi: Breaking ice, breaking borders (Cryopolitics).

Russia’s Arctic development program to boost social, economic sphere in region (ITAR-TASS).

Kovtun climbs on influence list (BO).

Greenpeace asks investigators to expedite the return of Arctic Sunrise (AIR, in Russian).

Pirate laid: Greenpeace calls on Russia to return Arctic Sunrise (Gazeta, in Russian).

Development of the Russian Arctic will require more than 560 trillion rubles (AIR, in Russian).

Canada

An opinion piece written by Yule Schmidt, a special advisor to Yukon’s premier Darrell Pasloski, stirred up a “bit of a tizzy” in Canada this week, drawing criticism from the territory’s opposition leaders for its “jaundiced view of Yukon’s land-claim agreements” (Yukon News).

Nunavut MLAs to ponder capital budget, hear throne speech (NN).

Nunavut legislature imposes lengthy suspension on Uqqummiut MLA (NN).

Fort Chip chiefs cancel health meeting with Alberta (NJ).

NWT, Aboriginal governments sign deal on devolution money (NJ).

Deline closing in on final self-government vote (NJ).

Peel lawsuit slated for brief court debut in Yukon (NJ).

Land use plan lays roadmap for after devolution (NJ).

Cabinet appoints industry minister as head of new NWT regulator (NJ).

Greenland

Greenland building closer US Relations, prime minister says (Financial Times).

Knowing me, knowing you (AJ).

United States

Murkowski: President’s budget features no Arctic focus (Press Release).

Yakutsk delegation heads to Fairbanks (FNM).

ENERGY

A social media campaign targeting pension funds that invest in Shell has been making the rounds on twitter the last few weeks. The campaign seeks to force pension funds to divest in Shell unless it abandons its oil exploration in Arctic Alaska.

A lot in the Arctic hangs on the future price of oil

Observers of Arctic oil and gas development understand the impacts that swings, even modest ones, in crude oil prices can have on industry’s enthusiasm for Arctic exploration. The current upswing of interest in Arctic oil and gas has a lot to do with the fact that oil prices have been above USD 100 a barrel for the last few years. Many industry insiders are beginning to bet that the price of oil will be declining over the coming years, perhaps to around USD 90 a barrel by 2017 (WSJ). Such a price drop will certainly have a chilling effect on Arctic investment and will also have wider political and economic impacts across the Arctic. Economist Brad Keithley crunches the numbers on what lower oil prices will mean for the state of Alaska’s budget, and his conclusions paint a fairly grim picture of billion dollar deficits in the coming years. Scott Goldsmith of the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage has also warned that current government spending levels will exhaust fiscal reserves by 2024, particularly if oil prices drop and production continues to decline. The message has not seemed make a great impression on Alaska’s governing class as next year’s budget still puts the state in the red.

Concern in Iceland over oil and embrace from China

News that Iceland’s energy regulator awarded the China National Offshore Oil Company leases to explore for oil and gas on the country’s shelf (China Daily) sparked speculation on China’s Arctic interests as well as hand wringing amongst Iceland’s environmental community. Headlines trumpeted China’s entrance into Arctic oil and gas exploration (Energy Live News), and Iceland’s foreign minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson is looking for other opportunities to expand trade and cooperation with China in the future (Xinhua). While Iceland’s national energy authority is optimistic about the prospects for oil and gas in the lease areas, others are more sanguine about the area’s potential, citing its remoteness and the lack of infrastructure (AFP). Environmental groups decried the renewed push for oil and gas exploration by Iceland’s government. Árni Finnsson, head of the Iceland Nature Conservation Association, frames the latest developments in the context of Iceland’s decision not to pursue EU ascension and sees a risk that the island nation may align itself more with Russia and China when it comes to environmental protection and resource development (AJ).

Alaska gas pipeline plan advances, though questions and concerns remain

With only about forty days left in the current session of the Alaska legislature, the heat is on to pass Governor Sean Parnell’s plan for an Alaska gas pipeline to bring North Slope gas to south central Alaska for liquefaction and export. The plan would see the state take an equity stake in the project, which will be a new development for the state’s traditionally hands-off management of the oil and gas sector. Legislators are questioning the wisdom of the state buying into the project (AD) while local politicians in interior Alaska want more clarity on the tax structure for the pipeline. The plan calls for property taxes to be waived for the pipeline and instead payments will be made to local communities based on how much gas the pipeline carries. Worse, say local politicians, is a clause that states that local communities only need to be consulted during tax determinations (FNM). Interior politicians are mobilizing to make sure their communities have a voice in discussions around the evolving project (FNM). Exxon Mobil, a major player in the gas pipeline deal, has congratulated the state for coming to the realization that it will take state support and incentives to get the project going as many competing LNG projects are currently being contemplated across the globe (EOTA).

Canada

Firm hiring for Nunavut seismic testing, but project not yet approved (NN).

Europe

Energy consortium Fennovoima has filed a revised plan for a new nuclear power plant in northern Finland. The new plan, which calls for a smaller plant and brings in Russian state owned energy company Rosatom as a major partner, will have to be reapproved by regulators (AD). The plan for the smaller plant has raised questions about the benefits the project will have for Finland versus the challenges of dealing with the waste, and the Green League has threatened to quit the government unless the plant is required to obtain new permits for the dramatically revised plans (AD).

Faroese close in on oil (AJ).

A green energy future for Svalbard (BO).

Norway’s oil and gas resources counted (BO).

Finland gains independence from Russian gas (BO).

Powering up a connection to a renewable Europe (AJ).

Norway confirms small Arctic oil find (Marine Link).

Statoil to renew focus on Arctic exploration (Reuters).

Alaska

The state has filed a lawsuit against current and former owners of the North Pole refinery near Fairbanks for cleanup costs at the contaminated site (FNM, AD). The issue has attracted national attention and assumed an almost House of Cards-esque plot line as the refinery’s closure has been caught up in Alaska Senator Mark Begich’s reelection campaign. Begich, a Democrat in this very conservative state, is facing an uphill fight for reelection made all the harder by USD 850,000 in attack ads targeting him that have been funded by the billionaire Tea Party patrons the Koch brothers. Interestingly, the Kochs also own the North Pole refinery and have threatened to close the plant if forced to pay for the cleanup. Begich has fired back with ads of his own, accusing the Kochs of polluting Alaska and destroying Alaska jobs (Washington Examiner). A note to Alaska journalists: watch your steps around train tracks.

Judge targets glut of alarms on Alyeska pipeline remote controls (AD).

Usibelli receives OK to plan gas exploration project (FNM).

Cold Climate Housing to offer energy grants (FNM).

Nonresident begins term on Alaska assessment board (FNM).

Villagers suspect nuclear devices buried in Arctic Alaska (EOTA).

Canada

Nunavut community opposes offshore oil and gas exploration (EarthFirst!).

Power Corp. charged after worker electrocuted (NJ).

Fort Nelson chiefs visit Sahtu with fracking message (NJ).

Russia

Rosneft has proposed loosening some of the regulations governing foreign companies’ participation in Arctic offshore oil and gas exploration, including allowing them to own licenses for operating drilling rigs and refineries through Russian subsidiaries (AIR, in Russian). Rosgeologia is looking to spur innovation in the development of technologies for the extraction of unconventional oil and gas resources by setting up eight sites throughout Russia to focus on unconventional technologies (AIR, in Russian). Meanwhile, Exxon Mobil announced it will suspend cooperation with Rosneft on a drilling project in the Ukrainian Black Sea in response to the political crisis there, though it will continue to work with the Russian state-owned company on exploration in the Arctic Kara Sea (AIR, in Russian). Exxon Mobil stands to lose a lot if it has to postpone Russian cooperation. The company is also looking to explore for shale resources in Ukraine, another project that will likely be out on hold for the time being (Bloomberg).

Gazprom signs socioeconomic benefit agreement with Yakutia (AIR, in Russian).

Center for Arctic Exploration planned in Salekhard (AIR, in Russian).

Agreement for the project "Yamal LNG" between Russia and China entered into force (AIR, in Russian).

Major pollution in Murmansk blamed on coal dust (AIR, in Russian).

Lukoil aims for boost at Arctic assets (BO).

Greenland

New Greenland wells ‘a long way off’ (Upstream).

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

The state of the ice

NSIDC reports an above average winter when it comes to temperature. This takes its toll on the Arctic sea ice (NSIDC). The Arctic sea ice extent in February 2014 was the fourth lowest ever recorded for that month. This is in line with the long-term trend of declining sea ice extent, with a 3% decline rate per decade (Reporting Climate Science). Confirming the trend, Julienne Stroeve’s team from UCL Earth Sciences observed that the Arctic Ocean’s ice-free season is getting extended by five days per decade (SD).

Warm rivers contribute to melting

A team of researchers of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory analyzed the water surface temperature of the Beaufort Sea in summer 2012 using satellite data and concluded that the sudden influx of warm river water significantly contributed to the melting of sea ice. This is in strong contrast with Antarctica, where there are no rivers that could spread this enormous amount of heat over the ocean (NASA). NASA’s Earth Observatory provides several images of the Beaufort Sea’s surface and temperature (Wired). The study led by Son Nghiem was published in Geophysical Research Letters.

Climate

Arctic methane 'time bomb' could have huge economic costs (BBC).

Arctic: “We are poking at this tiger called the climate system” (VOR).

Flora and fauna

Seasonal ecology and life-history strategy of the high-latitude predatory zooplankter Parasagitta elegans (Inter-Research Marine Ecology Progress Series).

Dene leaders lobby for control of caribou hunt (CBC).

World record moose rack on display in Dawson City, Yukon (CBC).

Lazy day on the ice - Watch the video of a polar bear family (Svalbardposten, in Norwegian).

Arctic Seals Warm to the Brutal Cold of City Beaches, Officials Say (DNA info).

Arctic Audubon Society presentation on ANWR to honor 50th anniversary of wilderness act (NM).

Steller's eider may be reintroduced (Arctic Sounder).

Expeditions & research blogs

Tatar divers of the Russian Geographical Society’s expedition “Pole of Cold” looking for crevices in the lake Labynkyr in Yakutia (AIR, in Russian).

Reporting from the Arctic: a typical day in Eureka - Dan Weaver makes you feel better about your commute (U of T).

Reporting from the Arctic: the science behind the mission - Dan Weaver on climate change, ozone and the magic of sunlight (U of T).

Another beautiful Arctic sunrise to start a day of measurements & research at PEARL (CREATE Arctic Science).

Miscellaneous

Fired Arctic archeologist Patricia Sutherland seeks access to research - Petition urges government to reinstate former curator to Canadian Museum of History (Ottawa Citizen).

Scientists look into winter blues at Arctic military station (CBC).

Arctic Council works to prevent arctic marine oil pollution (Safety4Sea).

MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE

U.S. Participates in some – and cancels other – training exercises

U.S. troops are in Norway participating in Exercise Cold Response 2014 (Marine Corps Times). Among other exercises, U.S. Marines are working with their Norwegian counterparts to train for cold weather survival, as documented at Marine Corps Forces Europe’s Youtube page. U.S. Navy medical corpsmen have also been preparing for the exercises by learning about Norwegian equipment and training with Norwegian medical personnel (Marforeur). Back in North America, members of the U.S. National Guard participated in exercise Guerrier Nordique alongside soldiers from the 35^th Canadian Brigade Group near Iqaluit. Troops worked with Canadian Rangers to learn about cold-weather survival and warfare, as well as SAR missions in Arctic conditions (AD and EOTA). Conversely, in a reminder that normal geopolitics do not stop at the 66^th parallel, the United States has cancelled the biannual Northern Eagle exercises between the U.S., Norway, and Russia scheduled for April as a result of increasing tensions between the USA and Russia over events in Ukraine (BO).

Russian Base-Building Continues

The Russian Armed Forces are planning to reestablish the Alakurtti military base on the Kola Peninsula in September 2014 (BO). In the Siberian Department of Spetsstroy, construction is underway on facilities on the Severnaya Zemlya archipelago as part of the Ministry of Defense’s ongoing efforts to rebuild Russia’s Arctic military infrastructure (MarineLink and AIR).

With Search and Rescue activities on the rise, Nunavut practitioners ask for more resources

Emergency searches in Nunavut have risen 10-15% per year for the last several years – with almost half as many in 2013 as the prior three years combined – with some 27 searches already carried out in 2014 (CBC). Not unsurprisingly, the head of the territorial government’s search and rescue unit has requested more and better equipment and assistance to keep up with the trend (NN).

United States

Navy gears up for Arctic’s Big Melt (Reuters).

Arctic Readiness: The Navy Lays Out Its Plan for a More Accessible Arctic (Mashable).

Anchorage business organizations uncommitted about F-35s prospect (FNM).

Russia

Ministry of Defense: the Northern Fleet has shown high readiness (AIR, in Russian).

Canada

Arctic communities behind on disaster prep (CBC).

Europe

Arctic Council recognized by Baltic Sea navies (Arctic Council).

MINING

Discouraging news for mining sector in Canadian Arctic

It looks like there may be some lean years ahead for mining in the Canadian Arctic. After record investment in Nunavut mineral exploration over the past few years, investment will drop to only CND 166.5 million in 2014 from 535.7 million only three years before (NN). Declining commodity prices are likely behind the sagging investment. The Fraser Institute has also released its yearly Survey of Mining Companies which ranks global mining regions in terms of attractiveness for investment for mining companies. Several Canadian regions ranked high, including a third and ninth place for Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador, respectively, though Nunavut placed 44^th and Yukon slipped from 8^th place in 2013 to 19^th place this year (YN).

Greenland mining projects at risk from falling mineral prices

An opinion article in the Arctic Journal from NunaMinerals managing director Ole Christiansen shows how the fickle nature of global commodity prices make it exceedingly difficult to correctly time the development of large-scale mining projects in Greenland. It looks like several of the large mines that were supposed to fund Greenland’s move towards independence may be mothballed as mineral prices continue to decline around the world. In an attempt to revive enthusiasm in Greenland’s mining sector, the government is contemplating a cut to mineral taxes to make projects more profitable (AJ).

Canada

Canada’s True North Gems gets mining license from Greenland (NN).

Strategy seeks to boost Inuit mining employment in Quebec (AD).

Alaska

Geraghty pushes back on EPA process on Pebble mine (FNM).

Russia

"Russian platinum" will begin production on the Taimyr Peninsula in 2015 (AIR, in Russian).

"Norilsk Nickel": development of stocks of Taimyr may last several centuries (AIR, in Russian).

FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS

Tourism and climate change in the Arctic

In the introduction to the forthcoming Special Issue on Nordic Perspectives on Tourism and Climate Change of the Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, Jarkko Saarinen of the University of Oulu examines the nexus between tourism, climate change and sustainability, a topic area which is particularly relevant to the Arctic region. On a related topic, an interesting recently published paper by Eva Kaján explores community perspectives to vulnerability and climate change in relation to tourism in the Arctic (Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism).

Fisheries

Fairbanks borough mayor Hopkins offering $20K to get state to open hatchery visitors center (NM).

Brisk snow crab fishery in Alaska's Bering Sea nears quota (AD).

Fishery consultation goes on the road to Kivalliq (Nunatsiaq Online).

WWF encouraged by Arctic fishing agreement (AJ).

Shipping

NCEAS Team Leads International Workshop on Ship Safety in the Arctic (USCB).

Due to a lack of applications, the auction of the shares in the Russian Northern Shipping Company will not be held on March 18 as planned (AIR, in Russian).

Other business and economic news

Businesses debate future of Arctic at summit in London (BBC).

Old Town brew pub faces regulatory and tax hurdles (NJ).

Fort Resolution unites to revive forestry industry (NJ).

This Giant Floating Farm Uses Melting Icebergs To Bring Local Food To Greenland (Fast Co.exist).

HEALTH, EDUCATION, SOCIETY AND CULTURE

Flag-raising raises tensions in Nunavut

Controversy bubbled to the surface in Nunavut last week, when NTI president Cathy Towtongie commended an Iqaluit city councilor for speaking out against the decision to raise a rainbow-colored flag in front of Iqaluit city hall during the Sochi games to protest Russia’s ant-gay laws (NN). In response to their comments, Nunavut MLA Paul Okalik defended the gay community in the legislature, maintaining, “no one deserves that kind of treatment in our territory” (NN), and openly gay Inuk Robbie Watt started a Facebook page for the LGBTQ community in the Arctic (NN).

Icescapes and ice sculptures in Alaska’s Arctic

The Smithsonian’s Ocean Postal posted a feature this week on the cultural importance of sea ice for Alaska’s Inuit peoples. Yet beyond being a natural phenomenon essential to the High North’s “cultural landscape,” ice can also be an art medium. Last week, Fairbanks, Alaska hosted the World Ice Art Championships, a popular event drawing sculptors from around the world (FNM). Although warming temperatures worried organizers and participants early in the week, temperatures held steady, allowing competitors to make their creations (FNM).

Health

Far north sleep study examines effects of a lack of sunlight (AD).

N.W.T. cancer rates same as rest of Canada, despite beliefs (CBC).

Finances, negative stats still plague state of health in NWT (NJ).

Education

Nunavik science projects explore light therapy, power, traditional medicine (NN).

Tomsk University students to study the Siberian Arctic shelf (AIR, in Russian).

Youth Video Contest: How to Enter (Arctic Children and Youth Foundation).

Society

Nordic nations report high levels of abuse against women (AD).

Yellowknife artist to grace new NWT phone book (NJ).

Cold facts: UNI-led effort probes Arctic sustainability (Iowa Science Interface).

Culture

Language, culture are top Nunavimmiut concerns, Parnasimautik consultation finds (NN).

Nunavut artists use their voices at Iqaluit spoken word event (NN).

Celebrating the French language in Nunavut (NN).

Classic winter fun abounds at K’amba Carnival (NJ).

NWT artists weigh in on first Arts Council re-visioning (NJ).

INFRASTRUCTURE

Canada

Winter road means business for Old Crow (YN).

Ross River bridge to come down despite outcry (YN).

Baffin mayors question GN on hamlet infrastructure woes (NN).

Garbage piles up in communities as Nunavut awaits federal funding (NN).

United States

Backers of expensive Alaska projects make their case before Legislature (AD).

Delayed decrease in postal rates set to come soon for Alaska villages off the road system (AD).

Russia

€880 million for new Murmansk railway (BO).

Russia to build new power line to Norway (BO).

SPORTS

Canada

Adventurer plans 80-day solo trek from Nunavut to Greenland (EOTA).

Skiers catch biggest air at freestyle championships (YN).

Climbers hit the wall at bouldering championship (YN).

Sun shines bright on chilly 2014 Thebacha Loppet (NJ).

United States

Yukon Quest can learn from Iditarod, say mushers (AD).

Oatley shatters course record to win Iditarod Trail Invitational (FNM).

Tesoro pulls plug on Arctic Man sponsorship (FNM).

Arctic Winter Games athletes encourage Interior children to be active (FNM).

Day-by-Day Iditarod Coverage

March 5:

Nome native grabs Iditarod lead (FNM).

Race veteran leads difficult trail in Iditarod (FNM).

Zirkle aims for Iditarod title after narrow misses (FNM).

March 6:

Iditarod musher recounts harrowing ordeal on trail (FNM).

March 7:

Dawdling dog mushers: when is it time to send slowest mushers home (AD).

March 8:

Record Iditarod pace has mushers on course to shatter John Baker’s 2011 time (AD).

Russia

Tourists dare go to the throat of the White Sea in winter (AIR, in Russian).

IMAGES AND VIDEO

To fulfill your flickr fix, check out “Ice Dance” by Clare Kines, "Sunset over Cambridge Bay" by Sophia Granchinho, “Gym Class” by Bruce McKay, and “Val” by nwtarcticrose. On twitter, check out these photos of a wolf snapped by @DanWeaver, Northern Lights via @Olepost, ice fishing via @alexhibbert

UNIS fieldwork via @HonzaDX, and a preview of @ScienceNorth’s Arctic Voices exhibition. Instagram users posted a cold Canadian flag, a polar bear in Manitoba, a Russian walrus, a chilly beach in Norway, and a sun-kissed Alatna River Valley. To check out this week’s Arctic-related photo collections and features, see SAMS Arctic, Wild-Walking Woman, and The Star Online.

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)

By Marc Jacobsen During this year’s Arctic Dialogue conference, we’ll be publishing a regular series of short interviews with some of the many speakers and participants at the conference. This project is a collaboration between the High North Center, the University of Nordland, and The Arctic Institute. The podcasts will be available on iTunes via The Arctic Institute, as well as on the Arctic Dialogue website. You can find a list of all podcasts here. You can download a full transcript of the interview here.

courtesy of Hugo Ahlenius, UNEP/GRID-Arendal

By Kathrin Keil In times of pressing global problems, when countries and people geographically far apart depend heavily upon each other’s commitment to a common cause, international institutions are usually faced with the challenge of achieving as many signatories as possible on the final pages of their declaration documents in order to guarantee institutional effectiveness. Many such declarations and agreements, in fact, only enter into force once a specific threshold of signatories and national ratifications has been achieved. For many challenges, first and foremost global climate change, we indeed need as many on board as possible to avoid free-riding.

However, this should not lead us to believe that “the more the merrier” is the rule for every problem in need of international cooperation, especially at the regional level. As students of international relations learn early on, situations of conflict can become harder to solve as the cast of characters involved in the issue grows. Thus it can often be that successful institutional cooperation depends on keeping this cast of characters only “as-big-as-necessary”, rather than “as-big-as-possible”.

Only as Big (and Diverse) as Necessary: The Arctic Council

Arctic governance offers a number of good examples of the “as-big-as-necessary” approach. The prime political body of the Arctic region, the Arctic Council, is a high level forum with a fixed membership. That membership is comprised of the eight states possessing territory above the Arctic Circle: Canada, Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States.

While it appears natural in the first place that only the eight Arctic countries have a seat at the Council, the increasing attention the Arctic is gaining all over the world reminds us of the close ties between the Arctic region and the rest of the world in economic, legal, environmental and climatic processes. This link and relevance of the Arctic to the rest of the world has been acknowledged from the very beginnings of the Arctic Council through the provision of observer status for non-Arctic states, inter-governmental and inter-parliamentary organizations, and global and regional non-governmental organizations.

Indeed, increasing international attention to the Arctic in the last few years has led to the extension of the existing observer group (initially, the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands joined by France in 2000 and Spain in 2006) with the acceptance of China, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and India as observers during the 2013 Ministerial Meeting in Kiruna, Sweden.

As well as this flexible approach to state inclusion, the Arctic Council has a uniquely diverse participant structure. Next to the eight state members, the Council has six so-called “Permanent Participants”, which are six indigenous peoples’ organizations with full consultation (but no voting) rights in connection with the Council’s negotiations and decisions. The Council thus departs from the commonplace state-centric, intergovernmental institution model in favor of a diverse structure, which is focused on fulfilling the aims for which the institution was created, namely “to provide a means for promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, with the involvement of the Arctic Indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic” (Declaration on the Establishment of the Arctic Council, Art. 1(a)).

With its cast of states, indigenous groups, and a variety of observer states and organizations, the Arctic Council is a good example of a flexible and “right-sized” institutional structure, providing for the presence and limited participation of non-Arctic actors while ensuring that Arctic states as sole members and indigenous peoples organizations as Permanent Participants remain in the driver’s seat.

The “exclusive club” of the Arctic Council is logical

Another example of “as-big-as-necessary” institutional arrangements are two agreements negotiated under the auspices of the Arctic Council, which are the 2011 “Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic” and the 2013 “Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic”. While it appears a bit cumbersome to exert oneself for the “under the auspices of…” formulation, this phrase is legally – and, ultimately, politically – significantly different from the simpler expression of “Arctic Council agreements”. Crucially, the Arctic Council is not the legal entity adopting these agreements. Rather, the eight Arctic states – who happen to be the exact membership lot of the Arctic Council – have used the Arctic Council as a forumto negotiate these arrangements between themselves. They negotiate as sovereign states, and the agreements are intergovernmental state agreements. By this, they essentially make use of the Council in its originally intended function as a “high level forum” (Declaration on the Establishment of the Arctic Council, Art. 1).

With these agreements, the Arctic states aim to strengthen cooperation among them for aeronautical and maritime search-and-rescue and for oil pollution preparedness and response for their Arctic waters and coasts. Among other coordination measures between national authorities, the eight countries have clearly delineated the areas of responsibility within their own waters and territories as well as beyond in international Arctic waters. The majority of expected increasing activities in the Arctic – transit and destinational shipping, cruise-ship tourism, oil and gas development, fishing – will take place within the territorial waters and exclusive economic zones of the eight Arctic states. They are also much closer to any increasing activity in international Arctic waters, relative to non-Arctic actors. With both of these facts in mind, the “exclusive club” of the Arctic Council is logical. Put differently, the eight Arctic states will be the ones most active in their Arctic areas, and it will be they who are most directly affected by any activities, possible accidents and environmental threats occurring in the Arctic. Thus stronger coordination and cooperation among them in the realm of search-and-rescue and oil pollution preparedness and response makes sense.

There are ongoing efforts to use this institutional format also for other areas, such as for oil pollution prevention, for improved scientific cooperation among the eight Arctic states, and for achieving black carbon and methane emission reductions in the Arctic.

National jurisdiction and policy priorities remain key

While this “right-sized” and flexible approach works well on many relevant Arctic policy issues, this model also has significant limitations. First and foremost, we have to recall that the Arctic Council is not a full-fledged international organization with legal personality adopting legally-binding decisions, but rather a “high level forum” for the Arctic states and the Permanent Participants. Its foremost activities are in the realm of gathering and processing research for policy recommendations, which have to be adopted by consensus by the eight Arctic states. While this can also result in concrete policy-making, this is only indirectly through the single Arctic states and based purely on national jurisdiction.

For this reason, a harmonization of Arctic Council states’ policies is not a necessary result of Arctic Council cooperation, not even in its foremost policy area of environmental protection. This is reflected in the different rankings of Arctic countries when it comes to dedicating policy resources to environmental issues, as revealed by the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Sustainable Governance Indicators project. While Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland perform pretty well, Iceland, Canada and the US show rather low dedication to environmental policy in comparison to other OECD countries. This reflects the supremacy of national policy priorities over environmental standards, such as Iceland’s focus on attracting energy-intensive industries and generally on using the countries’ natural resources rather than preserving them. Similarly, the Canadian policy to utilize the country’s extensive natural resources, first and foremost Alberta’s oil sand resources, have prevented the development of stronger greenhouse gas emission targets and hampered the adoption of strict environmental protection laws.

Finally, we must be aware of concrete policy issue limitations. The Arctic Council format and the two agreements described above might work well in the realms of search and rescue and oil pollution preparedness and response. They might well also serve in the area of oil pollution prevention. In other areas, however – fisheries, for example, or shipping in international waters – other countries also have extensive rights and freedoms granted under international law, first and foremost the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). These rights include (among others) the freedom of navigation and fishing on the high seas. Regulation of these activities and safety and environmental protection measures thus must include potential ‘users’ of the Arctic high seas. Further, the Council’s ongoing attempts to reduce black carbon and methane emissions in the Arctic must include non-Arctic actors, since the majority of black carbon deposition in the Arctic is emitted in Asia and Europe.

Agreements among the Arctic states can be forerunners in such areas, such as a recently revived attempt to negotiate an agreement for regulating commercial fishing activities in the high Arctic Ocean among the eight Arctic countries. But since non-Arctic actors will also, in the end, have to commit to regulations such as fishing quotas and black carbon reductions, they will have to be included beyond an observer role as parties to eventual agreements. In sum, depending on the issue at hand, the Council’s exclusive, small-size policy-making approach must be complemented by more inclusive agreements in order to ensure the right level of participation for “right-sized” policy-making.

This article was first published by SGI News on Feb 10, 2014.

courtesy of European Parliament

By Andreas Raspotnik and Andreas Østhagen Three years after the European Parliament’s (EP) last resolution on Arctic issues[1], the European Union’s (EU) parliamentary institution has adopted yet another non-binding resolution dealing with the EU’s northern neighbourhood in its plenary session on Wednesday, March 12^th. In the resolution, contentious issues like Svalbard’s Fisheries Protection Zone (FPZ) (see our previous article) are weeded out, and the main point seems to reiterate that the EP is – and should be – taken into account when discussing EU-Arctic matters and creating a respective policy. The Joint Communication by the European Commission (‘Commission’) and the European External Action Service (EEAS) from June 2012[2] was generally well received, and therefore one can wonder why the EP is issuing a third resolution on Arctic matters just before the upcoming elections?

The resolution on an “EU strategy for the Arctic”[3] followed a plenary debate held on April 17^th, 2013. After rejecting a motion for a resolution[4] submitted by the Greens/European Free Alliance Group, the EP accepted, and slightly amended, a joint motion for a resolution[5] by the Group of the European People’s Party (EPP), the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialist & Democrats (S&D), the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe (ALDE) and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR). In the rather complex EU policy-making process, the EP uses a non-binding resolution in order to promote the institution’s own view and perspective on, for example, a certain foreign policy agenda. An EP resolution is subject to a simple majority and is neither a proper legislative European act nor a simple EP policy paper.

No Rapid Movement

When scrutinizing the EU institution’s policy output, it is necessary to distinguish between the EU’s different voices and its actual legal impact. The EU’s long (official) Arctic journey started in October 2008 with an EP resolution on “Arctic governance”,[6]and the next step may be a Council conclusion issued by the Member States scheduled for May 2014. Although both the EP and the Commission have been considerably Arctic-active, Member States lack a certain interest to put the Arctic on the EU policy table.

Despite this disinterest, some progress has been made. The EP adopted its second resolution in 2011; rather unwieldy titled “A sustainable EU policy for the High North”, it was mainly concerned with stressing the EU’s interests and rights in the Arctic (and its governance structures) by highlighting the EP’s recognition of the Arctic Council (AC) as the legitimate forum for Arctic cooperation. It was the EP’s attempt to straighten up the mess caused by the first resolution in 2008. This relates specifically to a proposed Arctic Treaty, similar to the Antarctic Treaty System, and based on (the EP position of) a supposed vacuum in Arctic governance – the Arctic being “not governed by any specifically formulated multilateral norms and regulations”. It goes without saying that this approach was not very well perceived by some of the Arctic states.

Fluffy terminology

The title of the 2011 resolution can be described as bulky, as both “sustainable” and “High North” are terms extensively used in European Arctic debates, albeit without explicitly scrutinizing its meaning. Terms such as “geopolitics” or “geostrategic importance”, for example, are similarly vague. Almost every international matter of perceived importance has a geopolitical significance to it; yet the meaning and implications of these terms are rarely well defined. “Sustainable development” has become an obligatory imperative when publically and politically discussing the future of the Arctic region, regardless of the vagueness or even triviality of the concept. How does one actually measure the sustainable development of the Arctic?

The “High North”, on the other hand, is an explicitly framed and constructed term by the Norwegian government in order to create an at least Norwegian internal Northern/Arctic awareness, and consequently legitimize future economic development of the region.[7] Arguably, the EP’s usage of both terms in its 2011 resolution’s title indicates awareness of delicate Arctic-related matters and a certain affinity for especially relevant partners. Regardless of the title, the resolution definitely indicates a shift in the EP’s Arctic perception, mainly based on an increased gain of Arctic-related knowledge developed in the EU’s corridors in Brussels and influenced by many different incidents between 2008 and 2011.

Nuancing and differentiating

The 2014 March resolution now adopted in plenary seems to indicate no great alteration in the EP’s policy-approach to the Arctic. It lists numerous aspects that need to be included as the Commission develops the “strategy” further, while it also encourages the Commission to prioritise Arctic policy development to a greater extent than what has been the case in recent years. It seems, however, worth noting that the EP returns to “strategy”, a term perceived rather sceptically by Commission and EEAS officials. The United Kingdom, for instance, did not develop a UK Arctic strategy per se, but an Arctic policy framework, as it is argued that a strategy can only be developed for an area the actor can exercise some kind of control.[8] Regardless of this terminological word play, the EP insistently refers to the EU’s need to ensure legitimacy and local support for its very own Arctic engagement. Additionally the EP “regrets the effects which the EU regulation relating to the ban on seal products has produced (…) in particular for indigenous culture and livelihood”. It will be worth observing if such a statement, irrespective of the resolution’s legally non-binding character, has a positive influence on the Arctic relationship between the EU and one particular Arctic state.

Looking at the different motions from the party groups, some other interesting points stand out. The Greens are, as always, suggesting a moratorium and expresses concern over the so-called “militarisation” of the region. Wisely enough, at least from a general EP point of view, the other party groups have not taken these opinions into the final resolution. The EPP group seems to be particularly harsh with regards to the EEAS and their role as the coordinating authority for the EU’s Arctic policy development.[9] ALDE, on the other hand, calls for increased focus on the European Arctic – a proposal worth considering. As previously argued by The Arctic Institute, an EU Arctic policy should first and foremost be focused on its own Arctic areas, equivalent to what other Arctic states do in their policies, before it tries to meddle in larger circumpolar affairs.

Nevertheless, neither argument was (explicitly) part of the joint motion or the final resolution. However, the EP seems to now finally recognize that“the regions of the Arctic differ substantially” from each other, which is especially relevant to the ongoing international debate over whether Arctic resources, depending on their actual location, should be exploited or not. In that regard, the EP’s new resolution focuses specifically on the various economic opportunities the Arctic holds and related chances for European businesses. Consequently, Michael Gahler, the EP’s rapporteur for the 2011 resolution, emphasizes the EU’s need to “stake its claims”, especially in order to distinguish itself from the increasingly announced Arctic-related interests by Asian states.[10]

Greenpeace also received the resolution positively, indicating an apparent call by the EP to establish a sanctuary in the High Seas area around the North Pole.[11] However, it has to be doubted that the stated backing of the EP to support “the development of a network of Arctic conservation areas and (…) the protection of the international sea area around the North Pole” equals the perception advocated by Greenpeace. In a similar way, a commentary published in the Arctic Journal even falsely referred to an EP push regarding a moratorium on industrial exploitation for the Arctic Ocean.[12] There may be different ways to interpret legislative acts, policy papers or regarding opinions. However, the current EP resolution focuses on economic and industrial activity, in tandem with a “sustainable approach”, which contradicts the highlighted focus by Greenpeace on preservation and protection only.

Conclusion

The main point of the resolution seems to just reiterate the importance of the EP in the EU-Arctic policy-making process. As the Council’s conclusions are scheduled for May, individuals in the EP undoubtedly want to make sure that the EP’s consultative role is not forgotten on this particular issue. Additionally, as with the Svalbard discussion taking place in the previous plenary, many of the MEPs engaged in the issue have constituencies to answer to in the upcoming European election and can use their Arctic engagement to brand everything from environmental consciousness (the Greens) to local and regional development (Swedish/Finnish MEPs). Whether or not the Arctic is an issue that will help improve a relatively low EP-elections turnout, however, is debatable. At least the resolution keeps the Arctic in focus in Brussels – albeit without a clear end-goal in sight.

[1] European Parliament resolution of 20 January 2011 on a sustainable EU policy for the High North (2009/2214(INI))

[2] Joint Communication on “Developing a European Union Policy towards the Arctic Region: progress since 2008 and next steps”, JOIN(2012) 19 final. The communication was analyzed by The Arctic Institute on July 5, 2012.

[3] European Parliament resolution of 12 March 2014 on the EU strategy for the Arctic (2013/2595(RSP))

[4] Greens/European Free Alliance Group Motion for a Resolution: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//NONSGML+MOTION+B7-2014-0228+0+DOC+PDF+V0//EN

[5] PPE, S&D, ALDE and ECR Group Joint Motion for a Resolution: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//NONSGML+MOTION+P7-RC-2014-0229+0+DOC+PDF+V0//EN

[6] European Parliament resolution of 9 October 2008 on Arctic governance

[7] For an interesting read seeLeif Christian Jensen (2012). Norway on a High in the North: a discourse analysis of policy framing, Doctoral Thesis, University of Tromsø

[8] As stated by Jane Rumble, Head of Polar Regions Department, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office at the Arctic Frontiers conference 2014 in Tromsø (Norway). However, the actual difference of strategyand policy framework can be brought into question.

[9] PPE Group Motion for a Resolution: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-%2f%2fEP%2f%2fTEXT%2bMOTION%2bB7-2014-0232%2b0%2bDOC%2bXML%2bV0%2f%2fEN&language=EN

[10] EEP Group in the European Parliament Press Release, 13 March 2014: http://pr.euractiv.com/node/104996

[11] Neil Hamilton (Greenpeace): The European Parliament backs our vision for an Arctic sanctuary, published March 12, 2014 on http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/climate/european-parliament-backs-our-vision-arctic-sanctuary-20140312

[12] Kevin McGwin: EU pushes Arctic sanctuary, in Arctic Journal, published March 13, 2014

courtesy of ilovegreenland on flickr

By Kevin Casey, Maura Farrell, Doris Friedrichand Seth Myers

The Arctic This Week 2014:11

Welcome and thanks for joining us this week! We hope that you find TATW interesting and entertaining to read. If you’re not a subscriber yet, you can sign up here. The PDF version will be available later today here.

ARCTIC CONFERENCE AND EVENTS LIST

The Arctic Institute maintains and provides access to a list of Arctic-themed conferences, workshops, and events. You can access the list by clicking on the following link:

Arctic Conference and Events List

READS OF THE WEEK

In political reads, we recommend two pieces on European Union policy in the Arctic by The Arctic Institute’s own Andreas Raspotnik and Andreas Østhagen. The two pieces, which can be found hereand here, explore the European Parliament’s recent non-binding resolution on the Arctic, and what it can tell us more broadly about the evolution of the EU’s Arctic policy.

If you are not yet familiar with it, spend some time today learning more about the research program Arctic-FROST(Frontiers of Sustainability). The program, led by the University of Northern Iowa and run by Dr. Andrey Petrov of the Geography Department, examines Arctic resources, societies, environments and developments in the changing North. Its goal is to understand Arctic communities and the effect of climate change on their lifestyle, and to find ways to support their sustainable development. The National Science Foundation has awarded a grant of USD 750,000 for the five-year project. An article in Iowa Science Interface interviews Dr. Petrov and provides a good background on the program and its goals.

In energy reads, a Greenpeace-commissioned report from the Danish consultancy Ramboll asks if there is a future for Greenland without Arctic oil while exploring alternative scenarios for Greenland’s economic development (KNR, in Danish).

In security reads, spend some time exploring this interesting publication from the German think tank Adelphi titled “Environment, Climate Change and Security in the Arctic.” The report, which grew out of a workshop of Arctic security experts held in Copenhagen in February of last year, analyzes four different potential scenarios for the Arctic in 2060, based on varying degrees of international cooperation and varying effects of climate change in the region.

There are several worthwhile items this week addressing the 5^th Arctic Business Forum that was held last week in Rovaniemi, Finland. The forum concluded with renewed commitments to coordination among the Arctic states, especially as they see themselves confronted by the Crimea crisis, which was discussed as one of the major challenges to investment in the North. (Finland Times). A video at Barents Observer– originally presented at the Arctic Business Forum – examines how new railroads could link the inland Barents Region to Asian markets via Arctic shipping routes. For more on the subject, head over to Arctic Journal’sanalysis of the potential project.

Finally in sports news, get all the details of Dallas Seavey’s victory at the 2014 Iditarod; Seavey also won the race in 2012. Alaska Dispatch and Anchorage Daily News have full coverage and great photos of the event, from start to finish.

THE POLITICAL SCENE

European Parliament issues third Arctic resolution

As last week’s issue hit the presses (so to speak), the European Parliament (EP) adopted an Arctic “strategy” in the form of a non-binding resolution. The resolution, the EP’s third on Arctic issues (the previous two were issued in 2008and in 2011), further develops Europe’s Arctic policy and seeks to solidify the EP’s significance as an Arctic stakeholder. The resolution, which in part encourages the development of a network of conservation areas in the Arctic and the protection of the high seas around the North Pole, drew considerable attention from the media this week (AD, Buzz Feed,NN). According to Andreas Raspotnik and Andreas Østhagen, however, the EP resolution should be seen as a continuation of previous EP Arctic policies, rather than a direct challenge to the Arctic Council in line with Greenpeace’s Arctic campaign, as the Arctic Journal and Greenpeacehave respectively interpreted it (The Arctic Institute). An article in the Maritime Executive echoes this view, stressing the non-binding nature of the resolution, which “can’t be really considered as a strong political move towards hard environmental protection as such.” For more from TAI on the European Parliament and the Arctic, see “From Seal Ban to Svalbard” and “To Svalbard and Beyond.”

UN recognizes the Sea of Okhotsk as Russian continental shelf

On Friday, the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf recognized the Sea of Okhotsk enclave as Russian continental shelf (RT), sending a formal certificate to that effect to Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment. Sergei Donskoy, Russia’s natural resources minister, said Saturday that the decision marked “an accomplished event” for Russia, marking “the first step to our Arctic claim, which will be drafted in the near future” (RIAN).

International

Once again, the situation in Crimea continued to make Arctic-related headlines this week. Eye on the Arctic posted some interesting pieces on this topic, including “Russia’s Ukraine moves not yet spilling into Arctic Council,”“Nordics rethink security after Ukraine crisis,” and “Finland-Russia Society leader says relations between the countries strong” (AD). Robert Murray also published a piece in the Arctic Journal challenging an earlier article by Kevin McGwin that suggested conflict in Ukraine will have little impact on relations among Arctic states.

Congress calls for suspension of Russia from G8 (BO).

An Interactive Series: Arctic in Context's Debut (World Policy Blog).

Comparing Arctic Law and Governance in China and Finland (Arctic Centre).

New agreements pave the way for environmental co-operation in the Arctic(NEFCO).

Russia

Salekhard - Arctic capital of Russia becoming the bridge between Europe and Asia (The Siberian Times).

Rogozin names Arctic region development vital priority, big challenge (VOR).

Murmansk is doing better, says minister (BO).

Climate and transport, Barents can make a difference (BO).

Canada

Elections news dominated the domestic Canadian political scene this week. MLAs in the Northwest Territories voted to extend their terms (NJ), the Lutselk'e First Nation held elections for a new chief (CBC), and Tom Mulcair was in Whitehorse last week “road-testing” his 2015 campaign speech (YN). Two Nunavik residents also plan to contest Luc Ferland for Uvanga’s NMA seat in next month’s election (NN), a race that is said to be focused heavily on housing issues (CBC).

PM Harper agrees to act as “honorary patron” for Inuit circumpolar gathering(NN).

Chief accuses N.W.T. officials of forging his signature (CBC).

Dene chiefs request meeting with Governor General (NJ).

For the upcoming fiscal year, Nunavut plans $150 million in capital spending(NN).

United States

AK Beat: 'Rogue TV,' all-Palin video channel, reportedly coming soon (AD).

Murkowski Presses Cabinet Secretary on Arctic Agenda (Press Release).

Greenland

Aleqa met new Foreign Minister (KNR).

ENERGY

Who amongst us, perhaps fueled by too many cups of coffee or some other beverage, has not wanted to lash at the empty language and platitudes we sometimes employ to speak about the Arctic? This week, Dave Walsh aimed his sights at the often intoned but poorly understood “sustainable management” in a blog post at Cold Reality.

Several Russian companies move ahead with Arctic exploration

Gazprom is moving ahead with exploration on several fronts, finalizing a socio-economic benefit agreement with the Lensky district in Yakutia (AIR, in Russian) and announcing that it will begin drilling at the Dolginskoye field in the Pechora Sea by May of this year (AIR, in Russian). Rosneft, meanwhile, held hearings regarding its plans for seismic exploration in the Chukchi Sea (AIR, in Russian). Lukoil is also looking to up its Arctic game over the coming years (BO). All three companies will be happy to hear that Moscow has extended tax subsidies for oil and gas companies working in the Yamal region (AIR, in Russian), where Gazprom has invested over RUB 15 billion developing the Novoportovskoye gas field (AIR, in Russian). The state-owned geological exploration interest Rosgeologia wants to get in on the action, as well, announcing a plan to begin a campaign of exploratory drilling across Russia’s Arctic shelf (AIR, in Russian).

Alaska pipeline politics

The Alaska senate modified Governor Sean Parnell’s plan for a North Slope gas pipeline, most notably by adding language to bar state commissioners tasked with negotiating deals with private companies from seeking employment with any of the involved companies for three years after leaving state service (FNM). Parnell was rebuffed on another front as his nominee to serve on the State Assessment Review Board withdrew his name from consideration in the face of opposition in the legislature (FNM). Parnell has quibbled with the legislature and its requirements for appointees to the board which oversees the tax value of the Trans-Alaska pipeline (FNM).

Greenland

Greenpeace asks if there is a future for Greenland without Arctic oil as it rolls out a report it commissioned from Danish consultancy Ramboll concerning possible economic futures for Greenland (KNR, in Danish).

Catastrophic confusion about oil and minerals (AJ).

Russia

For those who read Russian or who care to navigate Google Translate, an interesting and detailed article in Rossiyskaya Gazeta looks at technological advances that are enabling Russian energy operations in the Arctic, comparing that effort, with a bit of hyperbole, to the exploration of outer space.

Project Offshore Marintec Russia receives support from the government (AIR, in Russian).

Aiming high for Nenets industry (AIR, in Russia).

Romanian rig heading for the Russian Arctic (BO).

Alaska

Alaska sues over rejection of Arctic refuge plan (FNM).

Critical gas line consultant's report missing in action (AD).

Oil and gas jobs shatter record in 2013, the last year of old ACES tax (AD).

Pipeline bill taking shape in Alaska Senate (FNM).

Energy innovation, global crises keep investors away from Arctic: experts(Shanghai Daily).

Shell admits climate policy threat to profits (Business Green).

Canada

GN announces rebate to help offset heating fuel hikes for Nunavut homeowners(NN).

Yukon propane retailer fined $4K for working without permits (CBC).

Industry helped select Alberta for regulatory support (NJ).

NWT Liberals pass national fracking resolution (NJ).

Fort McPherson takes the lead in biomass heating (NJ).

2 ConocoPhillips trucks tip on Sahtu winter road (CBC).

Canadian energy regulator expects drilling activity in arctic waters (UPI).

Finland

Nuke plant struggles to attain critical mass (AJ).

Finland is EU’s third largest renewable-energy user; Swedes like wind subsidies(AD).

Finland gains independence from Russian gas (BO).

Norway

Norway’s oil and gas resources counted (BO).

Russia to build new power line to Norway (BO).

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

The Arctic’s T rex

The remains of a Nanuqsaurus hoglundi, a newly discovered species of a pygmy tyrannosaur related to T rex, were found in Alaska. It probably inhabited the ancient Arctic island of Laramidia 70m years ago. Get the whole picture by watching a video clip of s 3D computer model of the new dinosaur (Guardian).

Big on sustainability

Last week, the 4th European Marine Board Forum discussed changes in Arctic Ocean ecosystems and identified possible “2050” scenarios for Arctic Change. Its aim was to promote a sustainable ecosystem-based management system for the Arctic Ocean (Marine Board). The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, JSC VTB Bank and the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation NEFCO have signed agreements enabling the start-up of environmental projects in the Arctic region financed by the Arctic Council Project Support Instrument (PSI) (NEFCO). The initiative became operational on March 12 (Arctic Council) and will invest in projects that cut waste and prevent and mitigate pollution in the Arctic (Blue & Green Tomorrow). The Nordic Council of Ministers followed suit on sustainability by releasing its strategy for sustainable development in the Nordic region. It determines its objectives up to 2025 regarding the Nordic welfare model, viable ecosystems, the changing climate, the sustainable use of the earth’s resources, in addition to education, research and innovation (Nordic Council of Ministers). As a follow-up to the strategy report, the Theme Session in Akureyri, Iceland, on 7 and 8 April will discuss the sustainable exploitation of natural resources (Norden).

Climate

The Arctic summer atmosphere: an evaluation of reanalyses using ASCOS data(Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics).

The Unfrozen North(Slate).

Arctic has not been this warm for 40 millennia (Nora Region Trends).

The Arctic Climate Change Emerging Leaders Program (ACCEL) (ELEEP).

How wind helps Antarctic sea ice grow, even as the Arctic melts (Phys.org).

Greenland implicated further in sea-level rise (Phys.org).

Flora and fauna

Animals 'scared' by bursts of light from power cables (BBC).

Bison continue to elude Yukon hunters (CBC).

EU ban blamed for rapid decline of Greenland sealing (AJ).

The sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in ABNJ: What can be achieved using existing international agreements? (Marine Policy)

Making use of Johan Hjort's “unknown” legacy: reconstruction of a 150-year coastal time-series on northeast Arctic cod (Gadus morhua) liver data reveals long-term trends in energy allocation patterns(Journal of Marine Science).

Expeditions & research blogs

York University Arctic climate researchers on data collection expedition (York U).

In Arctic Svalbard, the End of a Warm, Dry Winter (Climate Rocks).

The PEARL team went on an epic #Arctic hike yesterday (U of T).

Miscellaneous

Rangers take on scientific monitoring role in Arctic (NJ).

New documentary shows importance of the Mackenzie River (Canadian Geographic).

MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE

Russia flexes Arctic muscles as relations with West deteriorate

As relations between Russia and the USA/EU continue to degrade over Crimea and Ukraine, ramifications are being felt across the Arctic region, with the United States planning to pull out of both the Northern Eagle and FRUKUS naval exercises (BO). Likewise, Canada’s “decision to freeze military relations with Russia” has made it increasingly unlikely that the upcoming meeting of the Northern Chiefs of Defense, as well as a visit by Russian General Valery Gerasimov to Canada, will proceed as planned. Also in danger of cancellation are the Maritime Security Challenges Conference, Russian participation in Operation NANOOK, and the Vigilant Eagle military exercises (Embassy).

Meanwhile, the increased pace of Russian military activity in the region continues unabated. Four Tu-95MS strategic bombers recently completed a 24-hour patrol over the Arctic (VOR, Miragec14, Itar-Tass, RIAN, and GP Arctic Watch), and some 350 troops from the 98^th Ivanovo division carried out airborne exercises over the New Siberian Islands archipelago, landing on Kotleny Island (VOR, Itar-Tass, and AIR– in Russian). Russia also announced this week that the planned reopening of an old military base in Alakurtti would result in the stationing of some 3000 signals intelligence troops roughly 50km from the Finish border (BO, Yle, and AIR), and that it planned to begin the deployment of unmanned patrol airships to the region by 2016 (Janesand BO). Neither the region nor Russia’s interests in it should be taken lightly by the USA, argue David Slayton and Mark Rosen on CNN.com, in an op-ed calling for an increased and more muscular US presence in the region.

United States

Arctic is Top Priority for Homeland Security – But One of Many (APM).

Northcom, NORAD Stand Ready to Defend Nation, Commander Says (DoD).

Coast Guard suspends searches for 2 men overboard (FNM).

Two soldiers seriously burned in tent fire during arctic training (FNM).

Anchorage units best performers at Army Winter Games (FNM).

Alaska soldiers test their arctic skills (FNM).

Check out Marine Forces Europe’s Flickrpage to see some great shots from the Cold Response 14 exercises in Norway.

Canada

Air Force rewrites rules after rescuer’s death in Arctic Waters (CBC).

High Arctic adventurer rescued near Taloyoak (CBC).

Young Hall Beach, Nunavut, hunter found safe (CBC), and Nunavut community celebrates return of lost hunter (NN).

Russia

Nuclear submarine on fire (BO).

Joint Russian-Norwegian SAR exercise Barents 2014 to take place in June (AIR, in Russian).

Military to improve infrastructure in Arctic in 2014 (AIR, in Russian).

Europe

British Royal Marines angrily dismiss claims they’re scared of the cold in Arctic Norway (The Commentator).

MINING

Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation pushes back against GNWT, mining companies

In the Northwest Territories, tensions are rising between the NWT government and the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation as the former pushes for the Territories’ First Nations to sign onto devolution and profit-sharing agreements. Chief Dora Enzoe of the Lutsel K’e Dene has accused the government of the NWT of trying to strong-arm them into signing the agreement even though they think they are entitled to a greater share of revenues than is being offered (NJ). The Lutsel K’e Dene have also blamed the diamond industry of contributing to drugs and crime in its communities and called on mining companies to be more proactive in helping solve these social problems (NJ).

Russia

In Chukotka, preparing for the transportation of coal to Anadyr Estuary (AIR, in Russian).

Alaska

Report: No laws broken in federal raids on Fortymile placer miners(FNM).

Canada

Avalon partners with French company to process rare earths (CBC).

Research that stinks: using bacteria to clean up old mines (YN).

Mine training program in Canada’s Northwest Territories accepted unqualified students (AD).

Coal spill cleanup could take decade: scientist (NJ).

Greenland

Greenland ruby mine could turn sod by end of year (AJ).

FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS

Safety and Shipping review 2014

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) mapped the maritime safety and losses suffered in the shipping industry in 2013. There were 94 losses, which represents a 20% decline from last year‘s number. The report (Allianz) lists “mega ships”, the Arctic, different piracy models and new fuels as new insurance risks (NYT).

Fisheries

TCC convention delegates pass resolution to give tribes bigger voice in fisheries(NM).

Snow crabs have found niche in Barents Sea ecosystem (BO).

Shipping

Safety and Shipping - Review 2014 (Allianz).

Naryan-Mar Commercial Sea Port (ICC) raises its tariffs by 15-20% (AIR, in Russian).

Throughput of Russian Arctic ports fell by almost a quarter since the beginning of the year (AIR, in Russian).

Rosatomflot: Polar Code may be adopted before the end of the year(AIR, in Russian).

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky port can become a transport hub of the Northern Sea Route (AIR, in Russian).

China to complete Arctic shipping guidelines in June (Sino Ship News).

Other business and economic news

Major bank says Finland’s economy will hardly grow at all this year (AD).

More of your Facebook life to be stored in Luleå (BO).

HEALTH, EDUCATION, SOCIETY AND CULTURE

Writing the Arctic

An article in The Economist on Arctic writing, titled “Snowy waste,” describes Svalbard’s slightly non-literary seductiveness and “total lack of existential angst.” On the longer side of things, author Bern Will Brown has published End-of-Earth People: The Arctic Sahtu Dene, the culmination of a 60-year effort (NJ), and CTV interviewed S.L. Osborne, author of In the Shadow of the Pole: An early history of Arctic expeditions, 1871-1912.

Health

A year of healing and advocacy ahead for Pauktuutit (NN).

Community Kitchen soon to open in Hay River (NJ).

A healthy taste of Inuvik (NJ).

Education

Senate Education moves governor's education bill (FNM).

Fire destroys only school in Aupaluk, Nunavik (CBC).

Society

NWT foster homes not screened, kids neglected: report (NJ).

Unity flag divides Canadian city (AJ).

Latest Nunavut human rights complaints relate mostly to sex, family ties (NN).

Nunatsiaq News shortlisted for Quebec community newspaper awards (NN).

Baffin Correctional Centre: a quagmire for Nunavut bureaucrats (NN).

Iqaluit council says yes to aquatic center borrowing measure (NN).

Culture

These artists will take you on a journey to the melting Arctic (Grist).

Film puts Mackenzie River in national spotlight (NJ).

Reel Youth: Inuvik, NWT (Reel Youth).

INFRASTRUCTURE

Russia

The completion of a fiber optic line between Nadym and Salekhard is scheduled for April 2014 (AIR, in Russian). Residents of Pevek are expressing concerns about a lack of drinking water after an accident at the Paveksky dam (AIR, in Russian).

€880 million for new Murmansk railway (BO).

Spring restrictions introduced on Yamal winter roads (AIR, in Russian).

United States

Company seeks to build large dock in Bethel (FNM).

Canada

Pasloksi lobbies Washington for highway funds (YN).

Internet service competition heats up in Yellowknife (NJ).

Greenland seeks Canadian culprit for broken undersea telecom cable (EOTA).

Europe

Concern over quality as fiber net expands in Sweden (AD).

SPORTS

Arctic Winter Games Underway

The 2014 Arctic Winter Games are underway in Fairbanks, AK (CBC). For full coverage and to follow along, check out the official website of the 2014 Arctic Winter Games and Arctic Journal’s coverage.

Iditarod

Iditarod musher: ‘I could feel my body dying’ (FNM).

Musher Aliy Zirkle explains why she stopped in Safety during Iditarod 2014 (AD).

Nicole Faille says Hugh Neff nearly died waiting for Iditarod rescue (AD).

Canada

Frozen toes force trekker to turn back from Arctic journey (NN).

Ivakkak sled dog race mushers reach Kangirsuk (CBC).

Finishline heroics plentiful at Yukon XC champs (YN).

Yukon skier bags three golds at freestyle nationals (YN).

Dominion winners go undefeated (NJ).

Arctic Winter Games a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Inuit kids (EOTA).

Europe

Finnmarksløpet melts away (BO).

Russia

Arkhangelsk Region aims to create new Arctic tourist route (AIR, in Russian).

Participants in the “Siberian Extreme” go from Salekhard to Vorkuta (AIR, in Russian).

Miscellaneous

If you’re a climbing enthusiast – or just curious, and not afraid of heights – check out this crazy photo from Instagramof “three climbers suspended off a 4,000 ft. vertical cliff in the Arctic.”

IMAGES AND VIDEO

On flickr this week, check out this cool license plate posted by Vincent Demers, the panoramic “The Road is Gold” posted by Kirsten Olesen and another by Mikofox, “Arctic Calm” by Dave Brosha, and “Polar lights on Wrangel Island” posted by the Arctic Council and shot by Alexander Gruzdev. Also check out this cool Arctic photo collection by erickchiu. On twitter, Grant Berg, Henrik Jensen, Philippe Morin and Paul Loewenposted twitpics. Instagram users posted cold weather gear, a snowy drive in Barrow, the Mackenzie mountain range, snow in Nunavut, a bird flying over Havoysund, and a Norwegian snow plow. Also check out this shot of frozen tidal waves on the Koksoak River (Aurora) and “Heaven & Earth”(500px). This week’s photo collections include “Culture captured at inaugural Arctic Image Festival” and “Inuvik youth win photo awards,” both from Northern Journal, as well as “Where icebergs are born” (Sime Photo).

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)

By Malte Humpert During this year’s Arctic Dialogue conference, we’ll be publishing a regular series of short interviews with some of the many speakers and participants at the conference. This project is a collaboration between the High North Center, the University of Nordland, and The Arctic Institute. The podcasts will be available on iTunes via The Arctic Institute, as well as on the Arctic Dialogue website. You can find a list of all podcasts here.

Courtesy of Mads Pihl on flickr

By Kevin Casey, Maura Farrell, Doris Friedrich and Seth Myers

The Arctic This Week 2014:12

Welcome and thanks for joining us this week! We are back after a short break from production last week owing to The Arctic Institute’s activities at the Arctic Dialogue conference in Bodø, Norway. Great to see so many The Arctic This Week readers there and thank you for the wonderful feedback on TATW. We work hard every week to make TATW a comprehensive, readable and useful guide to weekly events and coverage across the Arctic. Please feel free to reach out to us directly is you have any feedback on TATW’s contents, its layout, what we’ve included or what we’ve missed, or anything at all related to TATW. If you’re not a subscriber yet, you can sign up here. You can find the PDF version here.

ARCTIC CONFERENCE AND EVENTS LIST

The Arctic Institute maintains and provides access to a list of Arctic-themed conferences, workshops, and events. You can access the list by clicking on the following link:

Arctic Conference and Events List

READS OF THE WEEK

Begin this week with The Council on Foreign Relations recently released InfoGuide Presentation on “The Emerging Arctic.” The guide is a valuable resource with helpful content, videos, a timeline and graphics. Plus, it looks pretty!

Next, move on to the also pretty (check out the map on page 3), though less interactive, briefing from the Center for a New American Security on Emerging Arctic Security Challenges by James Kraska and Betsy Baker. The paper identifies the Arctic’s emerging security challenges and indicates how the United States can “lead and shape, rather than be shaped” by rapid change in the region.

Also of note on the political front this week is the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s new report on climate change which was released this week following UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon’s visit to Greenland to assess the impacts of climate change. You can find a summary of the 32-volume report (we’d be cruel if we suggested you read the whole thing) on the IPCC’s website.

In energy reads this week, take some time reading a new Policy Brief from the Brookings Institution titled Offshore Oil and Gas Governance in the Arctic: A Leadership Role for the U.S. The lengthy report includes a concise and focused summary and recommendations section upfront and argues for increased US efforts on strengthening the oil and gas governance framework for the Arctic. While recognizing that a legally binding, Arctic-wide treaty governing Arctic oil and gas development is, at this point, a bridge too far, the report calls for strengthening the Arctic Council’s hand in dealing with oil and gas matters (without, however, changing the Council’s mandate or legal character), while continuing to work bilaterally with willing states to strengthen governance of the Arctic’s oil and gas sector.

In the science news this week, a video by Birding Iceland shows the fascinating encounter between a White-tailed Eagle and an Arctic Fox, trying to steal the bird’s prey (Birding Iceland).

After Ellen DeGeneres raised USD 1.5 million for the Human Society of the United States with her Oscar “selfie” and publically criticized the seal hunt on her website, advocates of the hunt retaliated by posting their own “sealfies” (G&M). To see some of the “sealfies”, see The Huffington Post.

For this week’s military read of the week, check out this photo gallery on ForeignPolicy.com documenting the recently completed Exercise Cold Response in northern Norway. Some 16,000 troops from 16 different countries participated.

Pouring cold water in the Arctic shipping hype, Canada’s Transport Minister Lisa Raitt dashed hopes when she stated last week that she does not expect the Northwest Passage to become a viable shipping route soon. Raitt views the shortcomings of the route as outdoing the possible advantages such as time savings. She further pointed to a number of concerns that need to be addressed, including shallow passes, a lack of navigational markers and the possibility of oil spills (G&M).

In mining reads, see this article in Yukon News that highlights the Yukon First Nations’ Resource Conference in Whitehorse, Yukon, last week and provides an example of fruitful collaboration between First Nations and mining companies to facilitate development in Canada’s north that is responsive the First Nations’ needs and demands.

Finally, see Mia Bennett’s excellent interview with Arctic Corridor spokesman Timo Lohi at Cryopolitics . The project aims to link northern Finland with potential Arctic shipping via railroad.

THE POLITICAL SCENE

Ban Ki-Moon visits Greenland

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon visited Greenland last week to assess the impacts of climate change (US News, Euronews, AIR, in Russian). The UN said the visit “was aimed at building momentum ahead of the summit he will convene in September on climate change,” which he has invited Greenlandic premier Aleqa Hammond to address (AJ). Mr. Ban’s trip also coincided with the publication of the IPCC’s new report on climate change (The Huffington Post). The 2,610-page report, which was released Monday, is a forceful call to action that journalist Jon Snow has called “a pretty terrifying document” (Snowblog). The Secretary-General said he was “deeply alarmed” by the evidence of climate change in Greenland, and called climate change “the most serious threat the world faces” (AJ). For more related to climate change and the Arctic, see the Center for American Progress’s new report, “Why a Melting Arctic Could Sink the Global Economy.”

Arctic cooperation: the show must go on?

The Arctic Council Senior Arctic Officials (SAOs) met in Yellowknife, Canada last week (The Arctic Council, CBC). At the meeting, the second for SAOs since Canada assumed chairmanship of the Council, officials agreed to move forward with the creation of the Arctic Economic Council, a circumpolar business forum intended to promote sustainable social and economic development in the region (BO). Greenpeace protesters, angered by the Council’s “wall of silence” and “lack of transparency” (AJ), demonstrated against the group’s vision for Arctic economic development, which protestors said shouldn’t “deplete the resources and put the air and the water at risk” (CBC).

The SAO meeting, held “in the shadow of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” drew attention to Arctic Cooperation in the wake of tensions between Russia and the West (AJ). While some spectators predict that productive Arctic cooperation will continue despite tensions (CBC, Carnegie Moscow Center), a slew of articles were published this week questioning the impact of Russian actions in Ukraine on relations between Arctic countries. We’ve collected these articles for you in our Russia section below.

Russia

Last week, the Russian government introduced a draft presidential decree on the composition of the Russian Arctic zone (AIR, in Russian). The draft decree – "On the content of the lands of the Russian Arctic territories"– defines the land boundaries of the Russian Arctic. The decree defines the “Arctic zone” to include all of the Murmansk, Yamal-Nenets, Nenets, and Chukotka regions as well as portions of Yakutia, Krasnoyarsk Krai, and the Arkhangelsk region (BN).

Russia puts countries on edge in the Arctic (Cryopolitics).

How will an emboldened Putin view the Arctic? (G&M).

Cold War Echoes Under the Arctic Ice (Wall Street Journal).

Ex-oil boss warns against Russia (News in English).

Nuclear security in jeopardy as Russia kicked out of G8 (BO).

The Crimea crisis: Impacts on Arctic cooperation (McIR).

Is Vladimir Putin coming for the North Pole next? (National Journal).

Russian-Western Relations in the Arctic: Perceptions, Policies, and Prospects (European Leadership Network).

Putin draws his own red lines across post-Soviet space (The Interpreter).

Are Canada and Russia in a new Cold War? (Vice).

Consul General of Finland in St. Petersburg was in favor of cooperation with Russia (AIR, in Russian).

Oslo gives Murmansk cold welcome (BO).

Vasiliev to become ambassador to Iceland (AJ).

The Nordics

Poll shows Finns support military union with Sweden (AD).

United States

Union opposes Alaska legislative action on minimum wage (FNM).

U.S. relations with Asia imperative for Alaska (FNM).

Assembly mixed on Fairbanks borough mayor salary hike (FNM).

Mark Begich says he forced D.C. to open the Arctic to drilling (Politifact.com).

Greenland’s oil fund amount to 435 billion by 2060 (Ingeniøren).

Canada

Finance minister resignation leaves NWT hanging (NJ).

MLAs likely to ask for one more year, if permitted (NJ).

Dreaming the big dream (Yukon News).

Electoral officials say problems could arise from election overlap (NJ).

ENERGY

25 years after ExxonValdez – what have we learned?

The 25-year anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, this week has led some to ask how much the US and the global community has learned from the disaster (Pacific Environment). There were numerous stories that focused on the lingering impacts the oil spill is having on the ecology of Prince William Sound, including coverage by NPR, Aljazeera, Huffington Post, and Mashable. Some pointed out that responding to an oil spill in the Arctic will be immensely more challenging than in Prince William Sound, which, being located in southcentral Alaska, was a fairly short distance from major ports such as Anchorage and Seattle (Ocean Conservancy). Although the timing may have been a coincidence, US Senator Mark Begich introduced a bill to provide more funding for Arctic oil spill response, including action to return a heavy icebreaker to active service and new rules for spill response plans (Bloomberg). An article in the Telegraph looks at the lingering impact the spill has had on the region, and how ExxonMobil continues to fight against further fines for the incident in the courts. Elsewhere in the Arctic, the anniversary led many to question the race to develop Arctic oil. An editorial in the Nunatsiaq News says that northern communities will suffer the ill effects of oil development in the Arctic, while in Norway the Norwegian Environmental Agency is calling for caution in releasing new oil and gas leases in ice-impacted regions of the Barents Sea (BO).

New North Slope gas pipeline plan winds its way through Alaska’s legislature

Following the political machinations behind the steady evolution of Alaska’s proposed North Slope LNG pipeline plan can be challenging. A particularly puzzling aspect is the role played by Canadian pipeline company TransCanada, which was at one time the lead interest in a previous incarnation of the project, but now a participant amongst many in a broad coalition that includes the major North Slope producers and the State of Alaska. Pat Forgey sheds some light in TransCanada’s role in an article this week for the Alaska Dispatch. State legislators, meanwhile, are grappling with the details as they try to craft legislation to guide the massive project. While some have projected the project will bring in up to USD 4.5 billion in revenue for the state, others have warned that any revenue projections are, at this point, very premature and likely no better than a wild guess (AD). Oil and gas consultants have also warned legislators that because the state is taking an ownerhsip stake in the project, it could be on the hook for up to USD 500 million even if the project doesn’t go forward (AD). Oil companies, meanwhile, are encouraging legislators to keep all terms on the table when it comes to negotiating the details of the mega-project. There is some concern amongst legislators that oil companies may use negotiations over the pipeline to readdress the issue of oil and gas taxes (FNM).

Energy development in the Russian Arctic moves ahead, with geopolitical speedbumps

Development of the Toraveiskoye oil field in the Timan-Pechora region is on schedule with the first oil being shipped by truck from the new fields in March (AIR, in Russian). Large-scale production at the nearby Trebs and Titov oil fields will begin in 2016 according to Bashneft and Lukoil representatives (AIR, in Russian). French company Total has (again?) confirmed that it will purchase 4 million tons of LNG from the Yamal LNG project over the next quarter century (AIR, in Russian). Gazprom announced that long-delayed production at the Arctic offshore Prirazlomnaya rig will finally begin this month (NORA Region Trends). Reporting by Greenpeace this week revealed what many suspected: the rush to open Russia’s Arctic regions to oil and gas exploration has led to massive encroachment on federally protected areas, including National Parks and Nature Reserves (Greenpeace). While such revelations are not likely to affect decisions in the board rooms of prominent Russian energy companies, the appeal places US companies who are partnering on projects in the Russian Arctic in an uncomfortable position. Greenpeace also launched a protest last week in the Norwegian port of Olen against an oil platform destined for a joint ExxonMobil-Rosneft drilling project in the Kara Sea (AIR, in Russian).

Recent events in Ukraine have obviously increased the discomfort for companies such as ExxonMobil with massive interests in the Russian Arctic. In an interesting blog post for FuelFix, Amy Myers Jaffe argues that the Ukraine crisis and associated economic sanctions against Russia may provide ExxonMobil an easy way out of what are already very risky and questionable investments in the Russian Arctic. And the discomfort extends far beyond ExxonMobil. Reporting by Doug Norlen for the Huffington Post revealed that the US Export-Import Bank, a federal credit agency that finances foreign purchases of US goods, was planning to finance many millions of dollars of purchases by the Yamal LNG project. The Export-Import Bank has since announced that the financing is on hold, though not canceled, as the ownership percentages of sanctioned individuals in the LNG project are not large enough to sanction the entire project (HP). For its part, Novatek, the majority owner of the project, sees no major impacts for the project from US sanctions on Novatek CEO and co-owner Leonid Mikhelson (Reuters). The crisis will likely continue to push Russia’s energy pivot to the Asia-Pacific as Russian oil and gas become politically unpalatable in Europe and North America (Bloomberg). Will Russia attempt to corner the Asian LNG market by restricting transshipment across the Northern Sea Route? An interesting aside poses this question in an article this week from IHS Maritime.

Norway

Hyundai’s production of a floating platform intended for use at the Goliat oil and gas field in the Barents Sea will be postponed another 6 months, and there is concern that numerous construction shortcuts mean that the platform will not stand up to the harsh conditions at the site (BO).

North Energy buys into the Halten Terrace (HNN, in Norwegian).

Greenlandic oil with an environmental focus (HNN, in Norwegian).

Alaska

While a bill to provide funding for a new power plant at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is still being debated, state legislators were kind enough to pencil in emergency funding for the university should the school’s 50 year old coal generator break down before Juneau gets its act together (FNM). Though the project lacks funding, the university hosted an open house for contractors to tour the proposed site for the new generator, perhaps a ploy to get the business community in Fairbanks to apply some pressure on state legislators to hurry up with the funding bill (FNM).

Shell's Arctic oil plans face shareholder scrutiny (RTCC.org).

Alaska jury indicts Idaho firm over North Slope clean-up (FNM).

Experts debate Alaska's oil tax tug-o-war (AD).

$7.5M credit approved for new gas utility (FNM).

Canada

An editorial in last week’s New York Times by Jacques Leslie asks is Canada is tarring itself in its push to develop the Alberta oil sands (or tar sands, depending upon your political inclination). Leslie places oil sands development within the context of the Harper government’s wider energy development policy and its troubling muzzling of government scientists. Canadians living in close proximity of Alberta oil sands have long complained of negative health effects. An article this week in the Northern Journal picks up the story of residents of the Peace River area who filed an injunction against a nearby oil sands site which they say is negatively impacting health in their communities.

Canada softens tone in fevered Keystone debate (G&M).

Sahtu students attended industry fracking meeting (NJ).

ConocoPhillips could frack 10 more wells in Sahtu (NJ).

Baffin Island Communities Unanimously Opposed to Offshore Oil Exploration (Desmog).

Russia

Russia offers India crude oil supplies, stakes in blocks (India Times).

New Focus on Oil Spill Response Technology (ME).

Arctic Offshore Exploration: An International Perspective (RIAC).

Rosneft subsidiary announces a tender for the study of polar bears (AIR, in Russian).

Fuel delivery complicated on Chukotka winter road (AIR, in Russian).

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

The Arctic’s dynamic ecosystems

A research team led by Legagneux and Gauthier of Université Laval, Quebec, Canada, examined food web dynamics in the Arctic. Their study recently published in Nature reveals that the structure and functioning of the Arctic ecosystem is shaped by climate and the body size of herbivores. While herbivores’ size affects predator-prey interactions, temperature is also of great importance in shaping the ecosystem. The researchers concluded that climate change and warming in the Arctic could change present interactions (SD).

Evergreens restrict Arctic response to climate change

Tara Zamin and Paul Grogan, both at Queen’s University, Canada, as well as Donie Bret-Harte of the University of Alaska Fairbanks conducted research on the impact of climate change on Arctic vegetation. Using experimental greenhouses in the NWT, Canada, they show that fast-growing deciduous shrubs are competing against the slow-growing evergreen shrubs, which are well adapted to the infertile soils of the Arctic tundra. If the evergreens outcompete deciduous shrubs, they would restrict soil nutrient availability and could impede the tundra’s responsiveness to climate change (Queen’s University). The study was published in the Journal of Ecology.

Climate

Seasonal Arctic summer ice extent still hard to forecast, study says (NSIDC).

Why a Melting Arctic Could Sink the Global Economy (Ethical Markets).

Arctic sea ice melt: a story of winners and losers, IPCC scientist says (Carbon Brief).

The sea ice in the Arctic has reached its peak (DMI).

Climate: Permafrost thaw doubles carbon losses (Summit County Voice).

Arctic sea ice with a focus on Alaska (ABSI LCC).

Climate Change AK - Climate Change in Alaska (ABSI LCC).

Flora and fauna

US survey finds whooping crane population increasing (NJ).

World's farthest-north dinosaur bone find sheds light on Cretaceous world (AD).

Porcupine caribou herd hits new population high (NJ).

Cambrian “whale” found in the north of Greenland (AIR, in Russian).

Finland: Weak ice forces seals north in search of denning grounds (AD).

At the rainbow’s end: high productivity fueled by winter upwelling along an Arctic shelf (Polar Biology).

Book recommendation: Tundra-Taiga Biology by Robert M. M. Crawford (Oxford University Press).

Expeditions & research blogs

Back to the Arctic (NASA Operation IceBridge) (NASA).

Polar Week 6: Profiles from the Arctic – the making of a web documentary (Science Borealis).

Kane’s Mysterious Waters: Transient Polynyas (the search for the Franklin expedition) (Arctic Visions).

Web series profiles raise awareness of Arctic research (Canadian Geographic).

Miscellaneous

In the Arctic, there is no ice for drifting polar stations (AIR, in Russian).

Scientists map seafloor for future offshore drilling (NJ).

MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE

Arctic Fallout from Ukraine Crisis Continues

Condemning “Russia’s annexation of the Crimea and the use of armed force in Ukraine” as a “clear violation of international law and…unacceptable action that must have consequences,” Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide announced that Norway was suspending bilateral military activities with Russia; several visits by Russian personnel to Norway and participation in upcoming exercises have been cancelled (BO and High North News, in Norwegian). The United States and Canada have already taken similar action. The Ukraine crisis had led to some speculation that the Arctic could be the next area over which the United States and Russia clash (DefenseOne). However, other experts believe that the consequences of the current freeze are unlikely to have significant long-term ramifications, with both countries invested in maintaining cooperative relations in the region (BO). Indeed, even amidst the current crisis, Russian observers attended the recently concluded Exercise Cold Response, and planned cooperation between Norway and Russia’s respective border commissions is expected to continue unaffected (AIR, in Russian and BO).

U.S. Navy continues steps towards building expanded presence in Arctic

The U.S. Navy continues to examine how to build up its presence in the region while simultaneously coping with an ever-expanding threat environment and a seemingly ever-shrinking budgetary environment (Stripes). As part of ICEX 2014, the USS New Mexico deployed to the Arctic to engage in a show-of-force exercise, in which a simulated Russian Akula-class submarine was targeted (WSJ). Among those onboard was NYTimes columnist Thomas Friedman. The Navy had established a small temporary ice camp – Camp Nautilus – to support the exercises, but was ultimately forced to dismantle it due to inclement ice conditions (Reuters and Circa). If you like submarines, or ice, or videos, check out the U.S. Navy’s YouTube account for video of the New Mexico surfacing during ICEX 2014.

United States

New larger Army drone expected in Alaska next year (FNM).

MH370: What if it were to happen in the Arctic? (AD).

2^nd Supply Bn. Bonds with Norwegians, International Forces During Cold Response 2014 (DVIDS).

Europe

NATO names Stoltenberg next chief (BBC).

Gallery: Nato troops’ Arctic ‘selfies’ (The Local).

Norway’s new Arctic giant spyship (BO).

Russia

Putin orders Arctic army development (BO).

Flexing muscles for Nordic neighbors (BO).

Russian fighter jets light up the Finnish sky (BO).

Arctic strategic security centre opens in Arkhangelsk (BO).

SAR teams have carried out exercises near Nadym in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (AIR, in Russian).

The nuclear submarines Alexander Nevsky and Vladimir Monomakh are expected to be transferred from the Northern Fleet to the Pacific Fleet in 2015 (AIR, in Russian).

Putin: the development of the Russian Armed Forces should include combat composition groups in the Arctic (AIR, in Russian).

Arctic nations continue militarizing the Arctic (GlobalRiskInsights).

Canada

Vehicles – Domestic & Arctic Mobility Enhancement Project (CASR).

Poor training, miscommunication, simple accident led to 2011 Nunavut air disaster (NN).

The Simmons Foundation has published a new report on the Arctic Patrol Vessel project.

MINING

Sweden

As the city of Kiruna is moved to make way for additional mining development, many entities will be taking part in the construction of the “new” Kiruna (HNN, in Norwegian).

Finland

Northern Resources is considering selling the Hannukainen mine in Northern Finland, an iron mine which is scheduled to open later this year, pending the approval of permits (HNN, in Norwegian).

Greenland

While Greenland’s mining potential has received significant press over the last year, an article in the Arctic Journal points out that uncertainties concerning Greenland’s regulatory regime may be discouraging mining companies from investing in new mines there.

Chinese giant partners with Greenland Minerals (NORA Region Trends).

Russia

Prohibitions on foreign companies mining in Russia’s north are inhibiting development of some promising gold deposits on Russia’s Kola Peninsula (BO).

Yamal authorities plan to increase production of common minerals (AIR, in Russian).

Crimean crisis gives boost to Murmansk coal export (BO).

Chukotka coal mine conducts anti-terrorism exercises (AIR, in Russian).

Canada

Diamond mining in the Canadian North is delayed (AIR, in Russian).

FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS

New fisheries agreement between Norway and the Faroe Islands

Last week, the EU, Norway and the Faroe Islands agreed on fishing quotas and cooperation on fisheries, effectively ending a long-running North Atlantic fisheries dispute (High North News, in Norwegian). If you speak some Norwegian, have a look at the agreement text here (Regjeringen, in Norwegian). According to Arctic Info, Iceland refused to participate as it disagreed with the quotas calculated by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (AIR, in Russian). This “mackerel” agreement was criticized by Styrmir Gunnarsson, former editor-in-chief of Morgunbladid, Iceland’s oldest newspaper. He compared the “clumsy conspiracy” against Iceland to the Suez crisis (AJ).

Fisheries

No quota increase for golden king crabbers (AD).

New high for Murmansk fishermen (BO).

The number of plaice stocks In the Barents Sea increased (AIR, in Russian).

Russia imports less fish from Norway (BO)

Discussion on sustainable fishing in the Arctic on May 7 at the Norway House in Brussels, Belgium (High North News).

Haines borough seeks to quell fish flap (Yukon News).

Shipping

Conference report: Sustainable Arctic Shipping and Marine Operations (Swedish Polar Research Secretariat).

VIDEO: Polar Class Cargo Ship Uses Drones to Scope Ice (gCaptain).

Arctic shipping lanes open for four months by 2050 – IPCC (RTCC).

The Arctic’s Changing Landscape: Addressing New Maritime Challenges (CNAS).

Sea change for commodities as Arctic melt transforms trade routes (Telegraph).

MV Nunavik the newest icebreaker to hit Arctic waters (CBC).

Japan, Korea, Singapore and the Arctic Sea Lanes (The Diplomat).

Norwegian fishermen get environmentally friendly hybrid ships (AIR, in Russian).

IHS Maritime's Richard Hurley discusses the Arctic Sea route (IHS Maritime 360). Find the slides here.

Opening a new page in Arctic collaboration (Blog from IMO Secretary-General).

Other business and economic news

Polar Navigation (drones) (Ici Radio Canada, in French).

Finnish firms relying on Russian business face bankruptcy threat (AD).

HEALTH, EDUCATION, SOCIETY AND CULTURE

68% of Inuit households in Nunavut food insecure

A new report published by the Council of Canadian Academies explores Aboriginal Food Security in Northern Canada. The authors of the report, which “shows Nunavut has the highest rate of food insecurity of any indigenous population in any developed country” (The Toronto Sun), say they hope it will help “direct northern food security research to priority areas” (CBC).

Ellen Degeneres prompts backlash of “sealfies”

When Ellen DeGeneres raised USD 1.5 million for the Human Society of the United States with her twitter-crashing “selfie” (The Guardian) at this year’s Oscars and publically criticized the seal hunt on her website, advocates of the hunt responded by posting their own “sealfies” (G&M). To see some of the sealfies, see The Social, The Huffington Post, Flickr, and Twitter.

Health

Alaska reality star in Nunavut to talk about suicide (EOTA).

Watson lake faces doctor shortage (YN).

On the frontline of the fight against TB (AJ).

Study: Alaska health care prices top nation (FNM).

Some cancers more prevalent in Fort Chipewyan: report (NJ).

Education

University of Alaska campuses foresee job cuts due to looming $26 million budget gap (AD).

Alaska Senate panel approves $100 million boost for education (AD).

Nunavut models literacy program after South Slave (NJ).

Gwich’in youth ponder futures at education forum (NJ).

Hay River battle over school swap “unites community” (NJ).

Nunavik school board launches online teacher training (NN).

Society

Experts Meet in Ottawa to Discuss Standardized Inuit Language Writing System (ITK).

Polar Peoples: Migration and Population change in the Arctic (George Washington University Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies).

In the bottom of the bottle, a story about Arctic excess (BO).

Yukon News wins big at Canadian Community Newspaper Awards (YN).

Along a menacing ocean, Shaktoolik stares down climate change and refuses to budge (AD).

New species at risk book comes out in Dene languages (NJ).

Snowking reachers higher for 19th annual snowcastle (NJ).

Ombudsmen discuss Yamal rights of indigenous peoples (AIR, in Russian).

Mini-herders ready for reindeer action (BO).

Bryce Shuman Interview – Living in the Arctic (The Chef’s Connection).

Culture

Questions raised over Alaska Native language bill (FNM).

NWT photographer takes newbie under wing (NJ).

Fledgling Fort Smith fiddlers find their tune (NJ).

Tundra Cowboy Trailer (Vimeo).

Honouring Canada's North: Government of Canada Commemorates the Canadian Arctic Expedition of 1913 to 1918 as an Event of National Historic Significance (Newswire).

Inuit carvings head to Venice Biennale in Architecture (CBC).

People on the edge of the world (Arte, in German).

INFRASTRUCTURE

Canada

A group of Airbus engineers is in Iqaluit testing an A350 in cold-weather conditions; Iqaluit is trying to market itself as an ideal location for cold-weather testing of all varieties (CNN).

Repairs planned for Ross River bridge (YN).

Nunavut blocks Facebook, YouTube in schools (CBC).

Russia

Reconstruction work on several airports in the Chukchi region will begin this year (AIR, in Russian).

Tiksi airport will begin to service direct flights to Moscow following the completion of runway renovations (AIR, in Russian).

Yamal road builders preparing for spring (AIR, in Russian).

Europe

Avinor asked to prepare new airport in Rana (High North News, in Norwegian).

4.5 million NOK to development in Narvik (High North News, in Norwegian).

United States

Alaska lawmakers consider slapping priorities on megaproject wish list (AD).

Akutan hovercraft, costly government gift, will finally be sold and replaced by helicopter (AD).

Mild winter means less snow, ice on Denali Park Road (FNM).

SPORTS

Canada

Yukon XC skiers have ‘magical’ week at nationals (YN).

Alberta North team delivers gold performance at AWGs (NJ).

Team NWT dominates traditional sports at AWG (NJ).

Fred Henne beach will get supervision: minister (NJ).

Russia

Traditional snowmobile races held in Naryan-Mar (AIR, in Russian).

United States

Arctic Winter Games a sporting event steeped in tradition (Ahki).

IMAGES AND VIDEO

On flickr this week, check out two cool igloo shots-- Homestead and Keep The Home Fires Burning -- posted by Clare Kines, as well as shots of drummers delighting diners and a snow castle-turned-venue posted by the Arctic Council. Ecojackiejo, arcticmusher, adamhillstudios, hklaube02, northiceland, universityofsoutherndenmark, and sarahcrawf posted Arctic-related photos on Instagram this week, while on twitter, JimShockey, Beringseabarbie, Greatbigseas, Alexhibbert, and theglobalguide posted pictures. 4 News posted a cool panoramic photo taken in eastern Greenland and Exposure Guide put out a nice collection of Stunning Visuals of Arctic Locations.

In photo-related news, NWT photographer Dave Brosha is offering to mentor “one lucky burgeoning photo snapper” over the next year. Interested applicants should apply by April 13 (NJ).

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)

By Malte Humpert During this year’s Arctic Dialogue conference, we conducted a series of short interviews with some of the speakers and participants of the conference as well as other Arctic voices. This project is a collaboration between the High North Center, the University of Nordland, and The Arctic Institute. The podcasts will be available on iTunes via The Arctic Institute, as well as on the Arctic Dialogue website. You can find a list of all podcasts here.

"Homestead," courtesy of Clare Kines

By Kevin Casey, Maura Farrell, Doris Friedrich and Seth Myers

The Arctic This Week 2014:13

ARCTIC CONFERENCE AND EVENTS LIST

The Arctic Institute maintains and provides access to a list of Arctic-themed conferences, workshops, and events. You can access the list by clicking on the following link:

Arctic Conference and Events List

READS OF THE WEEK

Two Robs weighed-in on Arctic politics last week. Rob Huebert discussed “How Russia’s move into Crimea upended Canada’s Arctic strategy” in the Globe & Mail, and Robert R. Murray talked (Mis)understanding the Arctic for E-IR. Murray argues that “the scholarly study of international relations is lagging behind in its application to Arctic politics,” and Huebert predicts that “the very face of Canadian Arctic security is about to change, and not for the better.”

Also in politics this week, a blog post by Heather Exner-Pirot – “The Arctic Council’s Immunity to Crimean Flu”–praises the Arctic Council’s ability to proceed with “business-as-usual” in the wake of the Crimean crisis, arguing that Arctic conflict, although “improbable,” is now “less impossible” (EOTA).

The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation has published an extensive report titled, “Emergency Preparedness in Canada’s North.” The report finds worrisome deficiencies in risk assessment, planning, and training, and offers a series of seven recommendations for shoring up Canada’s capabilities (MedicalXpress). Among the recommendations of the report, a common thread is the need to operate more effectively at the local level, and both empower local communities to take the initiative in both emergency response and preparedness (NN).

In science reads this week, we recommend you see this article in Yukon News on the overlooked science of snow and avalanche prediction. Can snow crystals indicate potential avalanches? For Matt Holmes, member of the Yukon Avalanche Association’s field team, they do. The crystals’ formation determines the stability of the snowpack. In combination with weather data, snow structures are key to forecasting avalanches and determine their likelihood and potential severity.

In mining reads this week, see this excellent and troubling report prepared by Karine Czyzewski, Frank Tester, Nadia Aaruaq, and Sylvie Blangy titled “The Impact of Resource Extraction on Inuit Women and Families in Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut Territory.” The report, prepared for Pauktuutit, explores the social and economic impacts the Meadowbank gold mine has had on Inuit women. While many women have gained employment and new incomes have benefited the community, a rise in alcohol and drug use, social conflict and truancy have been some of the negative, second order effects on the community.

In business reads, learn about novel business practices that are supporting organic agriculture in the High North.The founders of Goosefoot Farm, three farmers in Fairbanks, Alaska, have benefited from crowdfunding this spring to turn their vision of a 5 ½ acres organic vegetable cultivation into reality. They raised nearly $10,000 within two months (NM). Their indiegogo.com site “How to Start a Farm at -40 Below” discloses the details of the project.

Finally, in infrastructure reads, a new report from Alaska’s Department of Labor confirms what most residents have long known to be true: the state lags behind the lower forty-eight when it comes to telecommunications. Currently, a number of rural Alaska communities are still without 3 or 4G wireless connectivity, and Alaskans “overall have slower access and download speeds than residents of other states, but they pay more for their services than the rest of the nation” (AD).

THE POLITICAL SCENE

Devolution takes effect in Canada’s Northwest Territories

Devolution officially began in the Northwest Territories last week, giving the territory province-like regulatory powers (CBC, APTN). The Northwest Territories Devolution Act (or Bill C-15), passed jurisdiction over Crown lands and resources to the territorial government and amended the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. Shauna Morgan criticized the bill in iPolitics, saying the bill’s two components were “giving power with one hand, while taking it away with the other.” Although devolution officially took effect on April 1, the Government of the Northwest Territories says it will wait until the summer to commemorate the occasion, when more people should be able to attend (NJ). While devolution has moved forward, the Northern Journal’s Meghan Wohlberg noted that that “April 1 now marks the start of further legislative and policy review” of the final devolution bills, which some MLAs said were rushed through without proper public consultation.

Arctic conflict: “improbable, but less impossible”

A blog post by Heather Exner-Pirot – “The Arctic Council’s Immunity to Crimean Flu”– explores the recent bristly relations between Russia and the West and praises the “remarkability” of the Arctic Council’s ability to proceed “business-as-usual” at the recent SAO meeting in Yellowknife (EOTA). Of all the commentary on the Crimean crisis and Arctic affairs, we may like Ms. Exner-Pirot’s best. Without adding fuel to the panicked fire, she notes the subtle changes in Arctic cooperation since the crisis and states that “conflict in the Arctic remains improbable, but less impossible.” With NATO halting military and civilian cooperation with Russia (BO), and an “Alaska back to Russia” petition circulating on the White House website, it’s no wonder that some Arctic commentators are a little nervous.

International

S. Korea, Norway open joint polar research center (Global Post).

IPCC report: Warming climate puts humans in Arctic, around the globe at risk (AD).

Beijing’s Arctic Play: Just the Tip of the Iceberg (The Diplomat).

Who Owns the North Pole? Debate Heats Up as Climate Change Transforms Arctic (Bloomberg).

Why is the Arctic a cornerstone for geopolitics? (Defence IQ).

Blog from IMO Secretary-General: From the Arctic to the capital (IMO SG Blog).

Canada

Canada faces stark choices in dealing with resurgent Russia: expert (The Vancouver Sun).

To vote or not to vote? Aboriginal people in northern Quebec to decide (EOTA).

UBC professor Michael Byers among contenders for $50,000 Donner Prize (The Vancouver Sun).

National award praises regional board on chopping block (NJ).

United States

Benjamin Nageak, a Democrat representing Barrow, Alaska in the Alaska House of Representatives, was appointed to the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission last week, replacing Mark Newman (The Bristol Bay Times). Commission co-chair Lesil McGuire called Nageak “a wonderful addition to the AAPC” (Alaska State House of Representatives). McGuire’s office also issued a press release last week commending Canada’s creation of an Arctic Economic Council at the Arctic Council’s most recent SAO meeting in Yellowknife last month.

Hillary warns against Russia in Arctic (BO).

Landmark Alaska subsistence decision stands (EOTA).

Alaska Senate forum turns to subsistence (FNM).

Are we an Arctic nation? (Anchorage Press).

Parnell calls proposed teacher pension plan 'immoral' (FNM).

IRS agents conduct operation at Fairbanks post office (FNM).

Russia

Russia's bid for the expansion of the Arctic shelf will be ready in the autumn (AIR, in Russian).

Vasiliev to become ambassador to Iceland (AJ).

Bad fish luck for Dmitry Kiselyov (BO).

The Nordics

Kleist steps down to make room for new generation (AJ).

Swedes pondering climate-change adaptations, more carbon-emissions cuts (AD).

ENERGY

Pressure mounts on Norway to cancel leases as hunt for oil reaches critical stage in Barents Sea

Environmental groups are pressuring Norway to not issue new licenses in the Barents Sea in areas approaching the seasonal limit of winter sea ice (NVONews). The new licenses, part of the proposed 23^rd licensing round, are located in the northern Barents Sea and will be the farthest north that oil exploration has been allowed in Norway’s waters. A consortium of environmental groups including Greenpeace and WWF warned that the new leases were too close to the ecologically sensitive ice edge where an oil spill would have catastrophic effects (Bloomberg). This next licensing round could be key for the future of oil and gas development in the Barents. Discoveries in the region so far have been modest and mostly of gas, complicating plans for development (AJ). Unless major oil discoveries are made, it will be difficult to finance the major infrastructure upgrades that will be required to support oil and gas in the Barents Sea (Reuters). Statoil has already announced that it would rather not invest in onshore facilities to develop the Castberg field, meaning that more and larger discoveries will be needed to create a critical mass that will justify large-scale oil and gas infrastructure investments (BO).

Many obstacles still ahead for Alaska LNG export plan

Plenty of more news this week on Alaska’s proposed gas pipeline and LNG export plan. See this article by Pat Forgey in the Alaska Dispatch for a good overview of the challenges to exporting the North Slope’s gas and the many moving parts involved in the current pipeline plan. In some unwelcomed news for Alaskans, the current plan for developing North Slope gas could lead to a loss of USD 1.5 billion in tax revenue as major oil companies will be able to write off the massive infrastructure investments necessary for the project (AD). Mayors in interior Alaska communities along the route of the proposed pipeline are worried their concerns aren’t being accounted for in the new project (FNM) while Governor Sean Parnell pushed changes to legislation guiding the project’s development so non-residents of Alaska could sit on the board of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AD).

Shell ignored dangers, made poor decisions in 2012 rig grounding

The US Coast Guard released its report on the grounding of the drill rig Kulluk in 2012, blaming Shell for making poor decisions and ignoring risks that led up to the accident. Jennifer Dlouhy provides good coverage for FuelFix, including a damning warning that Shell received from the master of the Aiviq, one of the ships involved in towing the Kulluk, that attempting to move the Kulluk during the final week of December “guarantees an ass kicking.” The report concluded that fines against Shell for the incident should be considered (Telegraph). The editorial page of the Anchorage Daily News said the report should lead to greater oversight and caution when it comes to oil exploration in Alaska’s Arctic waters, while the National Resources Defense Council used the report’s release to call for a moratorium on Arctic oil and gas.

Canada

The Yukon Utilities Board is considering replacing aging diesel generators with natural gas ones to provide power for Whitehorse, though residents are demanding that the gas used be “frack-free,” that is, not extracted by hydraulic fracturing (YN).

Renewable energy helps people of Dehcho Region reclaim their power (Pembina).

Alaska

A new book titled “Breaking Oil for Ice: The Epic Voyage of the SS Manhattan through the Northwest Passage” by Ross Coen looks at the story of the SS Manhattan, a massive, ice-strengthened tanker built to ship oil from Alaska’s North Slope before the advent of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. David James provides a review of the book for the Fairbanks Daily News Miner.

Alaska Legislature should ignore Kelly's coal plant and focus on Cook Inlet gas (AD).

Revenue Department says it deserves 'deference' from pipeline tax board (AD).

Endeavor Management’s Arctic Team Advises Shell on Preparation for the Potential Resumption of Chukchi Sea Drilling (Fort Mill Times).

BSEE Announces Funding for Oil Spill Response Research Systems in Drift Ice Conditions (Press Release).

Parnell offers to bolster Alaska refiners with $20 million a year in tax credits (AD).

State DEC head rejects agency's sulfolane spill ruling (AD).

AIDEA approves loans for natural gas distribution systems (FNM).

GVEA may raise rates after Flint Hills refinery closure (FNM).

Russia

Rosneft is set to begin aerial geophysical surveys of several of its lease areas in the Chukchi Sea in advance of ship-based seismic surveys which the company will begin later this year (AIR, in Russian).

Rosneft prepares ground for new Murmansk yard (BO).

Dutch Parliament proposes to prohibit the transportation of oil through the Arctic (AIR, in Russian).

Ministry of Environment: Melting Arctic ice threatens oil companies (AIR, in Russian).

Europe

Arctic Eldorado or a tragedy? Climate change in the Arctic and the development of cost-benefit ratio (FIIA, in Finnish).

Post Crimea, Norway’s Statoil strengthens ties with Rosneft (BO).

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Monitoring the Greenland ice sheet

The Polar Portal for monitoring ice and climate in the Arctic presents four products for monitoring the Greenland ice sheet: PROMICE, which collects weather data from more than 20 stations around the margin of the Greenland ice sheet; and of the Centre for Ocean and Ice of the Danish Meteorological Institute the Daily Mean Temperatures in the Arctic since 1958, Arctic weather, and Fjord wind, which provides detailed wind information (Polar Portal).

Studying marine mammal migrations and making sound underwater

In their creative blog, Caitlin O'Neill and Richard Crawford give you a tour through the sound landscape of marine mammals and the impact of man-made sounds on the animals. Besides the insights you’ll get into their work at Resolute Bay, you will get to know better a keystone species of the ecosystem: the Arctic Cod (Arctic Profiles).

Climate

UV radiation: the unexplored threat to the Arctic (NOAA).

Arctic climate change impact more extensive than expected (R&D Mag).

The Vanishing Arctic Ice Cap (Truth out).

Linkages Between Arctic Warming and Mid-Latitude Weather Patterns: Summary of a Workshop(National Academies Press).

New paper finds another amplification mechanism by which the Sun controlled Arctic climate (Hockey Schtick).

Arctic Ice Hits Yearly Max, But Summer’s Melt Uncertain (CC).

Arctic sea ice, past its winter peak, sends mixed messages about how rapidly it's melting (AD).

Why Arctic ice is disappearing more rapidly than expected: River ice reveals new twist on Arctic melt (SD).

Earthquakes in the Arctic Ocean - indications of imminent catastrophic methane eruptions? (Arctic News)

NSIDC, NASA Say Arctic Melt Season Lengthening, Ocean Rapidly Warming (video) (NASA).

Arctic Warming Theory So Cutting Edge, It's Hard to Prove (Scientific American).

Study Says Melting Permafrost Emitting More Carbon Than Tundra Can Offset (Alaska Public).

Panel’s Warning on Climate Risk: Worst Is Yet to Come (NYT).

Sea ice update: 2014 Arctic winter maximum, Antarctic summer minimum (NOAA).

Flora and fauna

7 Species Hit Hard by Climate Change - Including One That's Already Extinct (incl. polar bears) (NG).

Rich and cold: Diversity, distribution and drivers of fungal communities in patterned-ground ecosystems of the North American Arctic (Molecular Ecology).

Wild Canada - Ice Edge Promo (CBC).

Expeditions & research blogs

What’s the buzz (or not) around Canadian science policy? (Science Borealis)

Miscellaneous

NordForsk issues a call for proposals for planning grants within Arctic research (NordForsk).

ARSC joins Geophysical Institute (NM).

New book summarizing the history of the LTER site in Toolik Lake (Interact).

Scientists Focus on Polar Waters - As Threat of Acidification Grows (environment 360).

World's farthest-north dinosaur bone find sheds light on Cretaceous world (AD).

MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE

Training exercises underway in Canadian High North

Operation Spring Forward – a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) training exercise – is underway in Goose Bay, Iqaluit, Inuvik, and Yellowknife (CBC and AD). Concurrently, Joint Task Force (North) is running Operation NUNALIVUT out of Resolute Bay. NUNALIVUT involves over 250 personnel, and “includes both combined and joint operations exercising interoperability and Arctic skill-sets” (Government of Canada). Operations will include patrol, reconnaissance, and airlift, among other competencies, and will be executed in conjunction with U.S. National Guard units and Canadian Rangers (45eNord).

Canada

Canadian satellites “on target” to revolutionise maritime domain awareness (DefenceIQ).

Russia

Russian paratroopers land at Barneo drifting station for research (VOR).

The renovated Tiksi airport will again host Tu-160 and Tu-95MS strategic bombers (AIR, in Russian).

The deputy commander of Russia’s Western Military District has offered assurances that there is no ongoing threat of radiation from the Mike-class nuclear submarine K-278 “Komsomolets,” which sank in 1989 in the Barents Sea (AIR, in Russian).

First Northern Fleet drones taking off (BO).

The Arctic Template of Russian National Security Policy (Eurasia Daily Monitor).

United States

Melting Arctic Opens New Frontier, Challenges (WBUR).

Coast Guard releases report on cutter fatality in Bering Sea (FNM).

King finds insight into submarines, climate change on Arctic trip (SeacoastOnline).

Focus Arctic emergency response on Northerners: report (AD).

Arctic experience brings Marines back to basics, builds alliances (Camp Lejeune Globe).

Photos: Arctic Shield practices for the next Alaska disaster (AD).

Europe

The joint Norwegian-Russian “Exercise Barents” SAR drill is expected to continue as planned, despite Norway’s suspension of bilateral military activities with Russia in response to Russian actions in Ukraine (BO).

Finland Frets Over Russian Military Drills on its Doorstep (Atlantic Council).

MINING

Fraser Institute studies differences in mineral rights regimes between US and Canada

Canada’s Fraser Institute has produced an interesting report comparing mineral rights regimes in the US and Canada. The report explores how different historical trajectories in the US and Canada have produced different management regimes which have significant impacts on the mining industry in the two neighboring countries. A prominent recommendation of the report is to transfer mineral rights to First Nations as a way to streamline land claims issues and better support investment (CMJ).

Canada

Fortune updates NICO economics (CMJ).

Arctic mining: unexpected social negatives for Inuit women (AD).

McLean Lake residents oppose gravel quarry plans (YN).

Alaska

2014 Alaska Miners Association Biennial Conference (AD).

Russia

Taimyr and Yakutia discuss coal supplies and construction materials (AIR, in Russian).

FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS

Booz(t)ing tourism

With an eye on boosting the tourism industry, House Bill 309, sponsored by Alaskan Anchorage Rep. Chris Tuck, aims at allowing distilleries to sell directly to their customers. This would enable distilleries to offer tourist tours and also improve their ability to connect with consumers (NM).

Fisheries

Haines fish flap blows over (Yukon News).

Fairbanks sport fishing guide Morisky reappointed to Alaska fish board (NM).

Last cruise on the icebreaker " 50 Years of Victory" to the North Pole is scheduled for 2015 (AIR, in Russian).

Shipping

New Oceans at Poles Require New Rules for Ships (Scientific American).

Wärtsilä power system and ship design selected for PSV to operate in harsh conditions (Wärtsilä).

Sea change for commodities as Arctic melt transforms trade routes (Telegraph).

Shipping firm first to use drones to navigate Arctic ice (Fox News).

125 days of navigable conditions by 2050 (BO).

Other business and economic news

Stubb: Russia’s economic dip poses risk for Finland (BO).

Bill would allow distilleries to sell directly to consumers (NM).

Electric car breaks all sales records in Norway (BO).

The Forestry Forum in Arkhangelsk will discuss the development of the timber industry (AIR, in Russian).

HEALTH, EDUCATION, SOCIETY AND CULTURE

Health

Food insecurity in north requires action: report (NJ).

Hunger, malnutrition in Canada's Arctic nears crisis (Yahoo!).

Counselling relocation causes concern in Fort Smith (NJ).

'Empty Bowls' fundraiser Saturday for Fairbanks food bank (FNM).

The Arctic Council: a Brief History, its Partnership with Indigenous Groups of the Arctic, and its Role in Uncovering and Addressing Health Issues in the Far North (Journal of the Canadian Health Libraries Association).

Education

Online classroom brings southern experts to Arctic students (Montreal Gazette).

No ruling on GNWT French school appeal (NJ).

South Slave school board wins gold for literacy (NJ).

Beaufort students inspired by science (NJ).

Society

A new report by Canada’s prison ombudsman found conditions in Nunavut’s Baffin Correctional Centre “nothing short of appalling” (EOTA). The report indicates that inmates are forced to live in conditions that likely violate international human rights standards (NN).

An Ode to Seasons for Peter Matthiessen (Common Dreams).

Alaska village stares down climate change and refuses to budge (EOTA).

Arctic Indigenous Knowledge Gains Strength in Latest IPCC Climate Report (National Geographic).

A new website available on the traditional knowledge of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic and the Far North of Russia (UArctic).

Four suicides and a murder (AJ).

Yukon preparing records for TRC (YN).

Anyone for tundra bread and reindeer moss chocolate? (RBTH).

Search for homeless man a wake-up call for Iqaluit (CBC).

Salt River asks for help with homeless shelter (NJ).

New youth network budding in Sahtu region (NJ).

Murmansk under 300,000 (BO).

Young Native girls are being sacrificed to the Canadian sex trade (Vice).

KRG, Makivik announce improved cost-of-living subsidies (NN).

Like an iceberg, 1992, “Sad stories” (A date with Siku girl).

Bill to improve village safety not enough says Alaska tribal judge (EOTA).

Inuit #SEALFIE trend sparks death threats for throat singer Tanya Tagaq (CBC).

Seals are cute but starvation is ugly (The True North Times).

Culture

Skolt Sámi archives candidate for UNESCO list (BO).

Moose skin boats keep Tulita’s oral history alive (NJ).

Long john jamboree (NJ).

Fort Smith chefs dish out some iron (NJ).

Going to the Arctic? How to make curry that'll keep (CBC).

Edible Arctic Festival Ready for the Final Sprint (Canadian Museum of Nature).

Films on indigenous peoples of the Arctic shown in Naryan (AIR, in Russian).

INFRASTRUCTURE

Finland Upgrading Northern Airports to Support Arctic Tourism

Hoping to cash in on expanding interest in Arctic tourism, Finland is upgrading its northern airports. Northern Finnish hotels reported a more than half-million person increase in traffic over two years, with some 3.83 million overnight stays in 2012, and “Finnish Lapland is by far the most popular tourism destination in the Barents Region” (BO and AIR, in Russian).

Canada

Yukon may pay for Dome Road reroute (YN).

Yukon-wide 911 could come soon (YN).

Europe

In Bjøorndalen, Norway, a Small Cabin Enjoys Some of the World’s Fastest Internet (WSJ).

Russia

Naryan-Mar Commercial Sea Port to be privatized (AIR, in Russian).

Residents of the far north may receive compensation for travel to other regions in Russia (AIR, in Russian).

Pre-construction work on Lena River bridge to begin this year (AIR, in Russian).

The head of Rosaviation and the governor of the Chukotka Autonomous District have held discussions on renovating and upgrading the airport infrastructure in Chukotka (AIR, in Russian).

Russia will begin offering direct “domestic” flights from the Barents Region to Simferopol, capital of the recently-annexed Ukrainian territory of Crimea (BO).

United States

GCI, Viacom strike deal to provide cable content (FNM).

Ouzinkie reservoir drained after dam breach (FNM).

Bill to Boost Infrastructure Development in Arctic Unanimously Passes Alaska Senate (Alaska Senate).

SPORTS

United States

Into the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Backpacker Magazine).

Fairbanks unicyclist finishes White Mountains 100 (FNM).

11-year-old Healy boy becomes national junior freeskiing champion (FNM).

Canada

Watson Lake wrestler pins national title in new weight-class (YN).

Numbing Arctic survival adventure leaves former Truro man wanting more (Truro Daily News).

Canadian senior curlers get a taste of the North (NJ).

Who is Andrew Bell? Nunavut’s Arctic Sports champion (CBC).

Ptub skiers joined by home-town Olympian (NJ).

Cave explorer takes stock of hidden holes in Wood Buffalo National Park (NJ).

Caribou Legs launches Inuvik to Whitehorse run (CBC).

Europe

North of the North Cape (Travels in Orbit).

Russia

Chukotka sled-doge race “Hope” underway (AIR, in Russian).

IMAGES AND VIDEO

To an outsider, it might not look like spring in the Arctic this time of year. But for those in the know, full playgrounds and long days (ecojackiejo), sled dog races (dustineddo and arcticmusher), and Gyrfalcon hatchlings are sure signs, despite snow in Tromsø (kirstimakj) and a “near blizzard” in Pangnirtung (dkulugutuk). Other shots with snow include one of downtown Gjoa Haven via ryanp9ca on Instagram, a polar bear skeleton, “pure isolation” in Barentsburg, Norway, and snow-covered ice in Lancaster Sound, Nunavut, via twitter, as well as “Lone walker on the street” and “Prelude Aurora Borealis,” on the flickr streams of Sophia Granchinho and Jason Simpson. Also check out “Heart, beats” by Clare Kines. His stellar time-lapse, “A tale of two igluu,” is also worth a visit to vimeo.

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)

By Kevin Casey During this year’s Arctic Dialogue conference, we conducted a series of short interviews with some of the speakers and participants of the conference as well as other Arctic voices. This project is a collaboration between the High North Center, the University of Nordland, and The Arctic Institute. The podcasts will be available on iTunes via The Arctic Institute, as well as on the Arctic Dialogue website. You can find a list of all podcasts here.

Courtesy of ilovegreenland on flickr.

By Kevin Casey, Maura Farrell, Doris Friedrich and Seth Myers

The Arctic This Week 2014:14

Welcome and thanks for joining us this week for another edition of TATW! We hope that you find TATW interesting and entertaining to read. If you’re not a subscriber yet, you can sign up here. You can read the PDF version of TATW here.

ARCTIC CONFERENCE AND EVENTS LIST

The Arctic Institute maintains and provides access to a list of Arctic-themed conferences, workshops, and events. You can access the list by clicking on the following link:

Arctic Conference and Events List

READS OF THE WEEK

To begin this week, get your audio and video fix with a selection of offerings from the think tank sphere. Brookings recently released a podcast on Governing a Changing Arctic, The Council on Foreign Relations posted a video of Icelandic president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson addressing The Future of the Arctic, and an interview with Shella Biallas, a Foreign Service Officer at the US Embassy in Norway, is now available on our website. Take a look or have a listen.

The journal Polar Geography has recently published a special issue on local and traditional knowledge and data management in the Arctic. Being that our present scientific knowledge of the environment is incomplete and taking into account the immense logistic constraints to conventional scientific monitoring in the Arctic, integrating local and traditional knowledge is crucial. Read more about several different approaches to traditional knowledge in this month’s edition, available here.

Writing on The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs, Iventa Cherneva examines what the appointment of former Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg as Secretary General of NATO will mean for the Arctic. Cherneva believes that Stoltenberg’s well-documented interest in and belief in the importance of the region could result in NATO beginning to play a larger role in security issues in the Arctic.

In business news, the small biotech company TFChem has patented this week an enhanced synthetic imitation of the “antifreeze proteins” (AFPs), a temperature stress-resistant molecule which helps fish in the Arctic survive in waters down to 28°F (-2°C). Instead of extracting the molecule from actual fishes, as is still the case in the industry today, they make it only from sugar. Good news not only for the cosmetics industry, which uses the molecule against oxidative stress involved in skin-aging, but also for the fish! (HP)

A recent report on U.S. Arctic Maritime infrastructure has been made public by the Government Accountability Office. According to GAO, the “report prioritized two broad categories to be addressed in the near term: information infrastructure, such as mapping and charting, and response services, such as search and rescue.”

Finally, in sports, further proof that the worst ideas make for the coolest videos: head on over to Alaska Dispatch to watch a skier get towed by an airplane across a snowfield in northern Alaska. How anyone came up with this idea – let alone successfully carried it out – is unclear, but the results are impressive.

THE POLITICAL SCENE

Canada’s “principled stand”

The Canadian government made headlines last week by boycotting an Arctic Council meeting in Moscow, Russia (G&M, AD, CTV, CBC). Ottawa said in a press release that its decision to not attend the meeting constituted a “principled stand against Russia” in response to that country’s actions in Ukraine. In the press release, Leona Aglukkaq said Canada was “proud to show leadership on the world stage through its chairmanship of the Arctic Council” and would continue to support its work. Although Ottawa’s decision sends a clear signal to Russia, Canada chose to boycott a lower level, non-ministerial meeting (AJ), and at this point, Russian actions in Ukraine have left Arctic relations and the work of the council largely unscathed. For a Canadian perspective on the prospects for Arctic cooperation in light of recent events, see the Russian International Affairs Council’s recent interview with Rob Huebert.

International

The Arctic 5 and the Caspian 5: Not so Different (Geopolitical Monitor).

The Arctic: Thaw with Conflict Potential (International Relations and Security Network).

Hey Alaska, what would you ask Vladimir Putin? (EOTA).

Q&A: Putin says Russia doesn't need 'cold' Alaska (FNM).

Designing an Effective European Arctic Strategy (International Relations and Security Network).

Here’s why Russia and Canada are clamoring for the Arctic (Vice).

The Arctic: the other Russian front? (State.fr, in French).

Petition to join Alaska to Russia lacked votes, is removed from White House site (AIR, in Russian).

The Arctic: Profit-hunting ensures peace but threatens the population with disaster (Ræson, in Danish).

Russia

Russian Ecology Minister Sergei Donskoi said last week that Russia will submit a finalized claim to the UN this fall to extend Russia’s Arctic continental shelf (RIAN). The claim, which should be finalized by year’s end, includes a large portion of continental shelf beneath the Sea of Okhotsk (VOR). In March, the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf confirmed Russia’s petition to recognize the zone as Russian continental shelf, a decision which Donskoi said sets an “important precedent” for Russia (AIR, in Russian).

Arctic gas project backs political strategy as Russia turns east (Reuters).

Vladimir Putin to hold Security Council meeting on Russia's policy in the Arctic (AIR, in Russian).

United States

The Alaska Legislature worked through Easter Sunday over the weekend, approving a USD 9.1 billion budget (AD) and extending into a 91^st day to push ballot measures to raise the minimum wage and to legalize marijuana from August to the November (AD). Legislators planned a 92^nd day on Tuesday in the hopes of reaching agreement on House Bill 278, the state’s omnibus education bill (FNM, AD).

With no one at the rudder, Alaska is losing control in fiscal free-fall (AD).

Build icebreakers to protect U.S. interests in the Arctic (The Seattle Times).

Environmental and Economic Security Challenges in a Changing U.S. Maritime Arctic (Hoover Institution).

Rep. Young blasts regulatory sprawl during Fairbanks visit (FNM).

National energy boom blurs political battle lines (FNM).

US claims it will own Arctic - Bruce Gagnon (VOR).

The Nordics

Eight Perish In Plane Crash In Jamijarvi In Finland (Finbbay).

Time to get tough on EU carbon emissions, says Swedish politician (AD).

Canada

Despite the fanfare, devolution means less say for northerners over land and resources (Pembina Institute).

Ministers meet with Gwich’in in Inuvik (NJ).

Council backs Beaufort Delta AWG bid (NJ).

GNWT, industry change relationship status (NJ).

Fair Elections Act could hurt NWT voters (NJ).

ENERGY

First oil shipment from Russian offshore Arctic draws praise and condemnation

The first shipment of oil from Gazprom’s Prirazlomnoye platform in the Arctic Pechora Sea was sent on its way to market last week (Reuters, Moscow Times). President Vladimir Putin praised the development as a sign of Russia’s increasing investment in the extraction of the Arctic’s oil and gas resources (VOR). Putin presided over the event, making an appearance in a joint teleconference with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller (AIR, in Russian, Press Release, AJ, RIAN). The Prirazlomnoye platform was, of course, the location the Greenpeace’s “Arctic 30” protest and has become a lightning rod for protests against Arctic oil and gas development more broadly (Blue and Green Tomorrow). In response, Greenpeace published “5 questions for Pres. Putin about Gazprom's first shipment of Arctic oil,” asking about Gazprom’s dismal environmental record and the heavy tax subsidies that were required to make the project feasible. While some see this event as “a new stage in the development of the Russian oil industry,” (Pravda, RIAN) others caution that Russia’s Arctic bonanza will not be as big as Moscow hopes, and that high costs and challenging conditions will continue to stall development of Russia’s Arctic oil and gas resources (OilPrice). John Sauven takes a sober look at the issue for The Guardian, drawing attention to the political and environmental consequences of our continued reliance on fossil fuels.

Alaska Legislature approves gas pipeline plan as 2014 session ends

The Alaska State Legislature concluded its 2014 session with marathon-length proceedings last week. Several issues of concern to the energy sector were addressed. First, the Legislature approved Governor Sean Parnell’s current negotiations with oil companies over a North Slope gas pipeline and LNG export project (AD). The Legislature was not given much latitude to rewrite the terms for the proposed project and passed the plan without major amendments (FNM). The State of Alaska will take a 25% stake in the project, which will now move to preliminary engineering and cost refinement, and will collect taxes on the project in the form of natural gas. In other energy related business, the Legislature approved a USD 30 million tax credit for two Alaska refineries after the closure of the Flint Hills refinery in Fairbanks put pressure on the states remaining oil processing facilities (AD), while also lining up USD 2 million for a woodstove buyback program in Fairbanks and USD 245 million for the replacement of University of Alaska Fairbanks’ aging heat and power plant (FNM).

Should Norway halt oil exploration along Russian border?

Chair of the Norwegian Parliament Stortinget’s Standing Committee on Energy and the Environment Ola Elvestuen this week called for the suspension of exploration in areas of the Barents Sea adjacent to the Russian border due to developments in Ukraine (BO). According to the 2010 agreement between Russia and Norway that settled the two countries’ maritime border in the Barents Sea, any oil and gas deposits that cross the border should be developed jointly, an arrangement which has become politically uncomfortable due to the crisis in Ukraine (DN, in Norwegian). Conservatives in Norway have disputed the suspension (AB, in Norwegian).

Alaska

Actor and activist Robert Redford added his voice to those opposing oil and gas exploration in the Arctic in this editorial for the Huffington Post.

Alaska lawmakers must examine oil tax cut effect on rural revenue sharing (AD).

Warm water, cold reality, new frontier for exploiting resources (Sacramento Bee).

Shell chooses Endeavor for Chukchi advising (OE Digital).

ConocoPhillips approved for Alaska LNG exports (PennEnergy).

Finland

Turku utilities to trade coal for biofuel (AD).

Norway

Yet another Arctic well for Statoil (AB).

Canada

ConocoPhillips won’t fund Sahtu winter drill program (NJ).

NWT residents cashing in on alternative energy (NJ).

Nunavut fuel spills are down, but accidents still happen (AD).

Russia

Extractive Frontiers: The Arctic and Central Asia (Cryopolitics).

Rosneft to Start Drilling Oil in the Arctic This Year (MT).

Shell committed to Russia expansion despite sanctions (Reuters).

Rosneft to build first base for the supply of offshore projects in Murmansk (AIR, in Russian).

Russian Gas Society raises Arctic hydrocarbon assessment to 106 billion tons of oil equivalent (AIR, in Russian).

Underwater platform to be constructed for development of Shtokman field (AIR, in Russian).

Nenets Autonomous Okrug and Rosneft to sign new cooperation agreement (AIR, in Russian).

Arctic – Purpe pipeline has crossed Taz River (AIR, in Russian).

Japanese refused to buy a stake in Yamal LNG (AIR, in Russian).

Cold Competition: Race for Arctic resources heats up as gas reserves discovered (RT).

Moscow: India’s ticket to the energy riches of the Arctic (Pragati).

Greenland

Risks keep Scottish energy developer from exploring arctic this year (UPI).

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Incorporating traditional knowledge in science

The special issue of the journal Polar Geography on local and traditional knowledge and data management in the Arctic comprises several articles on previous and current projects and examples of how traditional knowledge can be used in scientific research. The article by Fidel et al. explores the important role of community knowledge, which can often detect local changes based on multigenerational knowledge. The change in walrus harvest locations bordering the Bering Sea, for instance, gives examples of adaptation strategies (Polar Geography). Bennett and Lantz outline participatory photography to document local observations. Digital photographs are combined with GPS data and interviews. The resulting visual and oral materials fit well with the Inuvialuit culture and traditions of the Mackenzie Delta Region, Northwest Canada (Polar Geography). A truly interdisciplinary article presents the observational framework and database design used to record, analyze and communicate sea ice observations which are based on, among other things, information on ice conditions, weather, ocean state, and animal behavior (Polar Geography).

Why do we know so little of the comb jellies in the Baltic Sea and the Arctic?

Sanna Majaneva of the University of Helsinki and the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) has studied the life of the Arctic ctenophore Mertensia ovum, or the Arctic comb jelly, of which we have little knowledge. The Arctic comb jelly can be found in the Baltic Sea and the Arctic. The identification of the species is difficult due to the specimens’ fragility and often inadequate description. A combination of photos of individual specimens with morphological and molecular identification methods provides a better result. A more accurate identification would also facilitate the evaluation of the jelly’s role in the ecosystem (Phys). You can find Majaneva’s dissertation here (University of Helsinki).

Snowy owls’ migration from the Arctic

A video from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology illustrates the reasons for snowy owls’ life-long journey. Each year, snowy owls travel vast distances in search of productive feeding areas. This also explains why recently they have been seen more frequently in the southern parts of the U.S. The abundance of lemmings last summer led to a drastic increase in the owl population, which however could not be sustained on the smaller amount of food left in winter. Therefore a great number of them moved south (Inquisitr).

Climate

Crucial new information about how the ice ages came about (SD).

The Arctic from space: A clear pattern of warming, thaw and melt (AD).

Age Greenland ice sheet exceeds 2.7 million years (AIR, in Russian).

Into the Maelstrom (summary) (AAAS Science Mag).

Jet Stream Research Called “Holy Grail” in Understanding Climate-Change Impact (Progressive Farmer).

Researchers Find 3-million-year-old Landscape Beneath Greenland Ice Sheet (NASA).

Updated Arctic Sea Ice Freeboard and Thickness Now Available from NSIDC (NSIDC).

An Arctic ozone hole? Not quite (MIT).

Ice breaker: ONR researchers explore a changing Arctic (Phys).

Drunken Trees: Dramatic Signs of Climate Change (NG).

Flora and fauna

Breeding ground for bird flu (Iceland) (AJ).

Biologists seek citizens' help to solve mystery of the disappearing rusty blackbirds (AD).

Biodiversity Arctic: Fauna (Expedition Hope).

Museum Experts Sift Through The Arctic’s Second Largest Butterfly Collection (AP).

Polar bears move around as sea ice habitat changes – this is what resilience looks like (Polar Bear Science).

The Generous Gulf (Gulf of St. Lawrence) and Photo of the Day: Ice Baby (NG).

Expeditions, conferences and research blogs

Aleutian Islands Risk Assessment (AIRA) - Project Meetings (AIRA).

Issues of Arctic exploration discussed in Yamal (AIR, in Russian).

When will we reach 2°C? (Climate Lab Book)

The first bears (WWF – Thin Ice Blog).

Frontier Arctic ice studies under way (Kara-Winter-2014 Expedition) (Offshore).

Persistent Organic Pollutant - Slow Degradation Of The Arctic And Antarctic (Science 2.0).

Miscellaneous

Chilingarova awarded a gold medal for the RGS study of the Arctic and Antarctica (AIR, in Russian).

Scientists propose $28 million centre (Western Producer).

Antarctic and Arctic contamination: The result of slow degradation (Science Codex).

Canadian Arctic high-tech message in a bottle found in Wales (CBC).

Siberian Mummies in Copper Masks Pose Mystery (Discovery).

Arctic research funded by the European Union (EU Bookshop).

MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE

United States

Feds release initial report on fatal plane crash near Bethel (FNM).

Canada

More than half Canada’s Navy vessels are either being repaired, modernized or otherwise at reduced readiness (National Post).

Canada’s Special Forces to get new vehicles for the Arctic but Army left out in cold (Montreal Gazette).

Canada to let private companies decide where search-and-rescue aircraft based (Vancouver Sun).

Levis Shipyard to Refit Flagship Coast Guard Icebreaker (MarketWired.com).

Russia

Several weeks ago, we reported on exercises that saw Russian airborne troops land on a floating polar ice station; now, courtesy of Business Insider, check out this impressive video of what the jump looked like to those participating in it.

Aviation units in Russia’s Northern Fleet have participated in anti-submarine exercises (AIR, in Russian).

Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu recently completed a trip to the Northern Fleet’s Severomorsk base, where he inspected the construction currently underway on a future Arctic base for Russian submarines (AIR, in Russian).

New monument in Murmansk to honor WWII “soldier-herders” (AIR, in Russian).

Europe

A Belgian tour guide and his group have been rescued after falling into a crevasse while hiking in Svalbard (Svalbard Posten, in Norwegian).

Film buffs should check out the Kickstarter campaign for the documentary The Sledge Patrol, which focuses on the little-known role of the Greenlandic theater in World War II.

MINING

Northern Regions Mining Summit to be held in Vancouver, BC

The Northern Regions Mining Summit is being organized by the Institute of the North and will be held 28-30 May, 2014, in Vancouver, BC. The summit will focus on the social, economic and cultural impacts of mining in Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. You can register on The Institute of the North’s website here and a draft agenda can be found here.

Alaska

Teck's Red Dog zinc mine still operating after quakes (MW).

Bokan, Niblack funding bill makes progress in Alaska House (North of 60).

Canada

NWT to see more mining investors with devolution (NJ).

Diavik mine’s wind-driven power saves $5 million a year in diesel costs (NN).

Tata Steel set to finalise investment in Canada (The Hindu Business Line).

Leaching test recovery tops 85% from Coffee oxide samples (CMJ).

Greenland

Ironbark Zinc in new partnership with China’s NFC to progress Citronen (AJ).

FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS

GAO offers sobering look at shipping prospects in US Arctic

The Government Accountability Office released a report containing its evaluation of the shipping prospect in the U.S. Arctic in the next few years. The report is not overly optimistic about the next 10 years, due to a lack of facilities and infrastructure, the “high operating costs, limited demand from tourists, uncertainties and setbacks in plans for offshore Arctic oil drilling.” What is more, only 1% of navigationally significant waters have been surveyed with modern technology. Sen. Lisa Murkowski stated that she disagrees with the report’s assessment that the commercial maritime activity in Arctic waters off Alaska will likely be limited in the next decade (AD).

News bits from the Adam Smith Conference “Russian Arctic Oil and Gas”

At the Adam Smith Conference “Russian Arctic Oil and Gas”, which took place on April 15 and 16 in Moscow, Vice-President of Rosneft Andrey Shishkin said that Rosneft needed 300 support vessels for the development of the license areas in the Kara Sea. The start of the drilling in the Kara Sea (Universitetskaya field), which will require “an absolutely different approach”, is scheduled for August (Port News). First results should be obtained in November this year (Port News). Other news bits offered at the conference revealed the conceptual design for Arctic class LNG-powered vessel developed by Damen shipyard group (Port News) and the new record high for cargo transit via the NSR in 2013 (Platts).

Fisheries

iKnow that fish is spoiled (AJ).

Worth their weight in gold, oil and uranium? (Greenland) (AJ).

Spectacular steelhead fishery in Yakutat good way to kick off the season for anglers (Alaska) (AD).

Large herring run predicted for Togiak fishery (Alaska) (AD).

The salmon may disappear from the rivers in the Murmansk region (AIR, in Russian).

Arctic whaling crews set for spring (Arctic Sounder).

Some drag the line a little longer than others (ice fishing) (Finnmark Dagblad, in Norwegian).

Arctic Storm’s surimi production outstrips blocks on strong global market (Undercurrent News).

Shipping

Safety and Shipping Review 2014 (Allianz).

Cold passage. Is the possibility of opening the Arctic as a trade route worth navigating the environmental and logistical challenges? (Allianz)

Arctic Sea Shipping: Emissions Matter More Than You Might Think (Marine Insight).

Chilingarov: NSR revival associated with offshore production (AIR, in Russian).

Setting course for Sabetta (Russia) (BO).

Building the Baltika – the World’s First Oblique Icebreaker (video) (G Captain).

Arctic Council key in making Northern shipping safe: society (CBC).

Shipping company using drones in the Arctic (AD).

Near ice-breaking deal (Russia) (BO).

Break On Through to the Other Side — Climate Change and Navigating the Northwest Passage (Harlem Times).

Quantifying Arctic Shipping Risk Through Case Studies (Marex).

“Sabetta considered much broader than monoport” (Kommersant, in Russian).

Havyard To Construct Hybrid Battery Powered Arctic PSV (Marine Insight).

Arctic ports became less busy (Barentsnova).

Other business and economic news

Distilleries bill passes Legislature (NM).

NWT wild furs take top dollar at international auction (NJ).

Arctic Match – Market Opportunities for Finnish Arctic Know-How in Russia (Finpro).

Chukotka has proposed two projects in the Far East Development Strategy (AIR, in Russian).

Arctic airlines First Air and Canadian North talk merger (NN).

Arctic concrete pour defies subzero work conditions (Journal of Commerce).

Finland’s arctic nature and Finnish design on display at Helsinki Airport (Travel Daily News).

Arctic Resources: The fight for the coldest place on Earth heats up (RT).

Ways of Arctic - 4th International Conference “Arctic Logistics” (Barentsnova).

An instant (legal) fur hat! Endangered arctic fox ambushes tourist by jumping on her head and begging for treats at animal park (Daily Mail).

HEALTH, EDUCATION, SOCIETY AND CULTURE

Health

More awareness needed on carbon monoxide: coroner (NJ).

Education

Residential schools legacy to be taught in all Alberta classrooms (NJ).

Heritage a proud focus for Fort Smith students (NJ).

Fort Resolution students delve into their heritage (NJ).

Society

Like an iceberg: on being a journalist in the Arctic (A Date with Siku Girl).

Karelian news editor accused of extremism (BO).

Cross raises questions, offers few answers (Homer News).

Native subsistence hunter may be Alaska's latest reality TV star (AD).

Canada’s Northwest Territories cuts northern allowance for staff in Arctic communities (AD).

Fairbanksan builds elaborate model Alaska Railroad (FNM).

Sahtu needs coordinated job training plan: MLA (NJ).

Reality TV episode to be shot in Yellowknife (NJ).

Peel River Jamboree marks spring in Fort McPherson (NJ).

Culture

A tale of two cities: The past and future of the Russian Arctic (RBTH).

Artist Itee Pootoogook illustrated the truths of Inuit life (BO).

Arctic denominators (AJ).

Using artwork to address climate change (Philly).

On the road with Films from the North (BO).

Legislature passes bill honoring Alaska Native languages (FNM).

Reindeer & Blue-cheese ('Poro ja sinihomejuusto') Pancakes (Life in Lapland).

Arctic Seder begins Iqaluit family's Passover (CBC).

INFRASTRUCTURE

United States

Survey on Fairbanks’ water quality is unveiled (FNM).

UAF researcher: Power grids are too big (FNM).

First 30 miles of Denali Park Road open to the public (FNM).

Canada

City aims to cut traffic congestion (YN).

Merger promises to reshape Northern aviation (NJ).

Russia

The vice-president of Rosneft has stated that he believes current infrastructure on the Northern Sea Route is insufficient for the transportation of oil (AIR, in Russian).

Yamal winter road closed (AIR, in Russian).

New river dock to be opened in Yakutia (AIR, in Russian).

SPORTS

United States

Head over to Vimeo to check out this video featuring some excellent shots from the Arguk Expedition of pristine Alaskan wilderness.

Canada

Calgary woman part of expedition rescued off ice floe for $2.7M now planning snorkel relay through Northwest Passage (National Post).

Winter brings big wins for NWT high performance athletes (NJ).

Olympians, soldiers team up for Arctic trek (TheSpec).

Russia

The evacuation of a youth expedition to the North Pole has been postponed due to inclement weather (AIR, in Russian).

Europe

Check out the Northern Exposure Blog, documenting a hiking expedition across Svalbard.

IMAGES AND VIDEO

Sunsets dominated flickr this week, with Rachel Messier posting an Iqaluit Sunset, Sophia Granchinho posting Sunset in Baker Lake, and Mikofox posting Nighttime Colors (though this one’s not quite a sunset). On twitter, The Arctic March posted three cheery expeditions-goers, Clare Kines tweeted an Inuit mother and her child, Finding True North tweeted ice crystals in Nunavut, and Vasily Matveev tweeted “Skysurfers in Polar Town.” Also check out dueling narwhals, snow-covered Svalbard and more snow-covered Svalbard, midnight sun, and sunset through a photographer’s eye, all on Instagram. Also check out Alaska Dispatch’s blood moon photos, as well as some cool videos: “Home Ground” by James Aiken and “The Reindeer Are Coming” by the International Center for Reindeer Husbandry.

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)

By Andreas Østhagen Canada’s recent decision to boycott an Arctic Council task force meeting held in Moscow is a direct example of how the Ukraine conflict is starting to impact Arctic cooperation. Given its prominent position in the Arctic, however, Russia is integral to most schemes for the region’s future development. As vocalized by both former US Secretary of State, Clinton, and the current Prime Minister of Iceland, Gunnlaugsson, the Ukraine crisis might have a severe and unintended impact on Arctic cooperation [1].

The impact of the events in Ukraine for Arctic cooperation will be neither straight forward nor harmonized across the region. Instead it will vary according to the interests of the different Arctic states. They could decide to use the Arctic as an arena for penalizing Russia further or use it to engage Russia in dialogue. Currently, officials dealing with Arctic affairs are asking themselves what exactly these consequences will be, deciding whether to take further action (like Canada) or issue warnings (like Iceland).

Economic Development

First, the immediate and direct impact of decisions taken outside of an Arctic context could hamper Russia’s strongest interest in the Arctic, namely economic development. Sanctions put in place by the European Union and the United States have the potential to affect the multitude of European and American companies engaged in developing the vast resource potential in the Yamal, Nenets and Kara Sea regions. Highlighting this, on April 28 sanctions were put in place by the US on Rosneft’s president, Igor Sechin [2].

This summer ExxonMobil alone is scheduled to conduct some of the most expensive exploratory drillings in the history of offshore oil and gas development in the Kara Sea through its joint venture with Rosneft [3]. BP is similarly dependent on Rosneft after TNK-BP was incorporated into the Russian oil giant in 2013, leaving BP with 19.5 percent of Rosneft’s shares [4]. Should further sanctions be put in place limiting western companies dealings with Russian energy companies, from either the Russian or the EU/US side, Arctic economic development in Russia will take a hit.

Cancelling Cooperation

In terms of direct cooperation in the Arctic sphere, exclusion of Russia or the boycotting of various Arctic meetings by one or several of the Arctic states have the potential to derail the relatively well-established modes of collaboration that have developed in the Arctic. Canada’s decision not to attend the Arctic Council task force meeting in Moscow last week is a minor, but still significant symbol of how Arctic cooperation is affected by the international crisis further south [5].

Similarly, Russian officials were not invited to take part in a pre-meeting to the North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum in Sydney, Novia Scotia on March 31, where the establishment of an Arctic Coast Guard Forum was discussed. The planned Northern Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) meeting scheduled for June in Iceland seems likely to be postponed as well, as could be expected. The Northern CHODs forum is one of the few arenas, in addition to the Arctic Security Forces Roundtable, where all the Arctic states convene to discuss hard security matters. Consequently several of the informal and formal arenas where civilian and military issues in the Arctic are discussed are put on hold.

Various Interests

Yet, Russia’s participation in the high level Senior Arctic Officials (SAO) meeting under the Canadian chairmanship in Yellowknife on March 25-27 proceeded as planned. In the Arctic Coast Guard Forum meeting it was also pointed out that any coast guard forum for the Arctic without the Russians present would prove futile, given Russia’s predominant role in Arctic maritime matters. For the United States and the Scandinavian countries such an approach seems only logical, given adjacent maritime borders that involve shared fish stocks and natural resource deposits. This highlights the importance of maintaining a working relationship with Russia on specific issues for some of the Arctic states, albeit these interests vary amongst the Arctic countries.

For decades Norway’s collaboration with Russia on the joint management of fish stocks in the Barents Sea has been promoted as a model for dealing with Russia on a sensitive topic that entails both a civilian and a military dimension [6]. Similarly, the 2010 maritime delimitation agreement was highly motivated by a desire in both countries to develop potential petroleum resources in the former disputed maritime area. Related cooperation between Russia and Norway has expanded since [7].

Although Sweden and Finland do not share a maritime border with Russia, Finland in particular has an extensive land boundary and is dependent on a rational working relationship with its larger neighbor. Just in terms of border crossings, Finland issued 1.3 million visas to Russia in 2013, a third of all Schengen entry visas going to Russia, according to the BarentsObserver [8]. As argued by Finland’s Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade, Stubb, Finland is heavily dependent on Russia’s economic trajectory and the consequences of the Ukraine crisis might be severe for the Finnish economy [9].

In the Bering Sea the US and Russia have a long standing collaboration on research and management of fish stocks, in particular with regards to the Alaskan Pollock [10]. For the last 19 years Russia and the US have worked together in this maritime area, and as ship traffic is increasing, the need for collaboration is only set to increase [11]. Combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the area has already been stated as one of the main goals in the US’ Arctic Implementation Plan from January 2014 [12]. Also, as most vessels frequenting the Bering Sea are fishing boats, the potential northern movement of fish stocks due to temperature increases as seen in the North Atlantic will force the vessels to move further north and demand even greater coordination and collaboration between Russian and US coast guards, similar to what has developed in the Barents Sea.

Russia’s Primacy in the Arctic

The different Arctic states all have their own «special» relationships with Russia, with varying degrees of interdependency and collaboration. Related, it is less counterproductive to Canada’s Arctic interests to take a strong stance towards Russia than it is for some of the Scandinavian countries. The seven Arctic states excluding Russia also do not form any cohesive block against Russia, in part due to the fact that membership in international organizations vary between NATO and the EU (5 NATO members and 3 EU members – only Denmark overlaps).

Yet, coordinated efforts to exclude Russia from specific Arctic forums have been – and will probably continue to be – put in place. We should, however, not forget that Russia is the largest of all the Arctic actors, measured in everything from population to economic activity and resource potential. Efforts to deal with environmental pollution, search and rescue, and common standards in the Arctic have also been developed with a lowest common denominator approach, depending on all the Arctic states engaging and signing up to the agreements. Therefore, having Russia onboard on Arctic-related agreements is not only preferable, but also essential to ensure a responsible development in the Arctic.

Conclusion – An Arena for Penalties or Reconciliation?

In sum, Russia is dependent on a positive Arctic development, while the country is also integral to most of the development in the region. The other Arctic states undoubtedly have an obligation to act on proceedings in Ukraine, yet on a lower working level many of them are heavily dependent on continuing business as usual in various areas where Russia constitutes an essential partner. Therefore, the somewhat inconsistent responses with regards to various Arctic domains are likely set to continue.

In previous periods of high tension between Russia and the west, the Arctic has actually served as a theatre for continued cooperation. A good example of this is the 2008 Georgia crisis where collaboration in the Arctic was almost unscathed, arguably also serving as an arena for normalizing relationships as the crisis ended. What role will the Arctic have this time around? That depends on the extent to which Russia will continue to paint itself into a corner, and whether the other Arctic states choose to use the region as an arena for penalties or reconciliation.

[1] http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/russian-actions-in-ukraine-could-cause-problems-for-arctic-council-iceland-pm-1.1721076 and http://barentsobserver.com/en/arctic/2014/04/hillary-warns-against-russia-arctic-03-04

[2] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/10794083/BP-committed-to-Rosneft-as-Russian-energy-giants-chief-Igor-Sechin-is-placed-on-US-sanctions-list.html

[3] http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-02/exxon-s-russia-ambitions-show-drilling-trumps-obama-putin-spats.html

[4] http://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/press/press-releases/rosneft-and-bp-complete-tnk-bp-sale-and-purchase-transaction.html

[5] http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-upbraids-russian-envoy-will-skip-arctic-council-moscow-meeting-over-ukraine/article18032205/

[6] See for example Hønneland, Geir (2007), “International Cooperation and Arctic Governance: Regime Effectiveness and Arctic Governance”, London & New York: Routledge.

[7] http://barentsobserver.com/en/energy/2013/06/oil-ministers-shuttle-between-russia-norway-13-06 and http://www.forbes.com/sites/markadomanis/2012/05/05/russia-and-norways-increasing-cooperation-in-the-arctic/

[8] http://barentsobserver.com/en/borders/2013/03/finland-opens-more-visa-centers-russia-12-03

[9] http://yle.fi/uutiset/stubb_russias_economic_dip_could_pose_risk_for_finland/7165723

[10] http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/agreements/bilateral_arrangements/russia/us_russia.html

[11] http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130714/bering-strait-ship-traffic-grows-russia-leading-way-and-alaska-lagging and http://articles.ktuu.com/2012-04-04/arctic-waters_31290020

[12] http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/implementation_plan_for_the_national_strategy_for_the_arctic_region_-_fi....pdf

Courtesy of ilovegreenland on flickr.com

By Kevin Casey, Maura Farrell, Doris Friedrich and Seth Myers

The Arctic This Week 2014:15

Welcome and thanks for joining us for a Reads of the Week edition this week! As always, we hope that you find TATW interesting and entertaining to read. If you’re not a subscriber yet, you can sign up here.

We will begin distributing our op-eds and analyses to TATW subscribers via email, about 1-2 a month. If you'd not like to receive them you can opt out by clicking here.

ARCTIC CONFERENCE AND EVENTS LIST

The Arctic Institute maintains and provides access to a list of Arctic-themed conferences, workshops, and events. You can access the list by clicking on the following link:

Arctic Conference and Events List

TAI’s RECENT ACTIVITIES

TAI co-hosted a roundtable discussion with the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, DC on Monday. The discussion focused on US Arctic strategy (including the National Strategy for the Arctic Region, the US Coast Guard's Arctic Strategy, and the US Navy's Arctic Roadmap), potential themes for the upcoming US Arctic Council chairmanship, and the impact of the Ukraine crisis on Arctic cooperation. To read one of our team member's take on the impacts of Ukraine on Arctic Cooperation, see this article by Andreas Østhagen, posted this week on our website.

TAI Executive Director Malte Humpert was quoted in a recent piece by Arctic blogger Mia Bennett. Her post, "Extractive frontiers -- The Arctic and Central Asia," was published on her blog Cryopolitics, as well as on the websites of Alaska Dispatch and Eye on the Arctic. Humpert was also quoted in an article by the Wall Street Journal this week on the Northern Sea Route.

READS OF THE WEEK

In political reads this week, check out two interesting articles from Alaska Dispatch, one from the Institute of the North's Nils Andreassen, and the other from former North Slope mayor Edward S. Itta. The first, "Alaska and Finland could share more than Arctic status," revisits themes from a speech Alaska Governor Wally Hickel gave in Finland in 1994. The second, “In the Arctic, it’s not Natives who are restless,” urges a "balanced,""project-by-project" approach to Arctic development, contrary to the positions of environmentalists and oil companies, who Itta describes as "warring tribes." And since we've already mentioned the nineties, go ahead and check out the Arctic Journal's Video of the Week, an old music video from Greenland's first rap group Nuuk Posse (it’s "straight outta the Nuuk of the 1990s.")

In other artistic and cultural news, we suggest you check out Voice of Russia's podcast featuring Scottish photographer Bryan Alexander. Alexander, who has been visiting the Arctic for over forty years, currently has work featured in London's Horniman Museum.

In energy reads, the National Research Council released a report titled Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment. A PDF version of the report can be found here. The report, written by a committee including representatives from academia, environmental organizations and the energy industry, concludes that the US is far from ready to respond to an oil spill in the Arctic and suggests developing a long-term research agenda focused on oil spill mitigation in Arctic waters, investing in increased awareness of climatic conditions in the Arctic, and fostering cooperation with other Arctic states, Russia in particular, on oil spill response (NG). The broad collaboration on the project raises hopes that all sides can come to the table to work on improving US preparedness for in the Arctic, recommending a “public-private-municipal” partnership, funded with revenues derived from oil leases, to lead the initiative (AD).

The ongoing fallout from Russian actions in Ukraine is being felt very differently on different sides of the Atlantic. In Europe, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the UK all scrambled jets after two Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers were picked up over the Barents Sea (BO). Simultaneously, Finland has signed a deal with NATO “declaring its willingness to receive assistance from the alliance, should it come under attack from any foreign power,” while Sweden has announced a 12% increase in military spending over the next decade (AJ). In Canada, however, experts caution that military tensions are unlikely to spread into the Arctic, and that pursuing a strategy of “neo-containment” in the region could be counterproductive (The Star and OpenCanada).

The crisis in Ukraine is also threatening to negatively affect science and development in the Russian Arctic. Officials from Murmansk are seeking assurances from the federal government after some 31.5 billion rubles slated for the Murmansk Transport Hub project were rerouted to projects in Crimea (BO). In a panel discussion entitled “Arctic: Defense of Russian Interests,” Arkady Tishkov, deputy head of the Institute of Geography at the Russian Academy of Sciences, assured that potential sanctions imposed on Russia will not affect Russia’s international science cooperations (RIA).

Iqaluit is gearing up for the 2014 Northern Hockey Challenge – “the North’s highest-level hockey tournament” – pitting teams from Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Kuujjuaq, and Ottawa against each other. While last year’s edition of the competition was several months long, this year’s much-abridged version will play out between 25-27 April (NN).

Moving on to science news, Canada’s northerners seek to be better integrated into Arctic research. According to a study of the Canadian Polar Commission, they expect answers to questions particularly relevant to them, such as adaptation to climate change or access to education. But they do not only want to be involved in shaping the research questions, but also contribute to answering them (Montreal Gazette). In Ny- Ålesund, on Svalbard, infrastructure is perfectly adapted to support research. This is one of the reasons why several countries are planning to step up their research activities based in the community. The Czech Republic, for instance, is establishing a research base which will be operational by 2015. On the other hand, Norwegian scientists are moving to other parts of the archipelago to study climate change (BO).

In her “Ice-Blog,” Irene Quaile underlines the importance of the increasing instability of Greenland’s icecap, where all margins appear to be unstable. The seriousness of this concerning trend, however, is not matched by the attention it receives, according to Quaile (DW).

Finishing our Reads of the Week with shipping and business news, an article in the Moscow Times illustrates the growing importance of nuclear icebreakers for Arctic oil. They are particularly relevant for oil and gas transports in ice-covered areas, which may become more frequent in the near future. This April, Gazprom shipped the first 70,000 tons of oil from the Prirazlomnaya oil field in the Pechora Sea. Rescuing ships stuck in the ice is also another major task of icebreakers (Moscow Times).

According to the US Government Accountability Office, which monitors the government’s spending, there is too little interest from the industry to develop the shipping infrastructure in the Arctic. Its controversial report refers to the uniform scenery and uninteresting ports, which are not likely to attract cruises, and the seasonal shipping route, which complicates other commercial activities (HP).

Courtesy of ilovegreenland on flickr

By Kevin Casey, Maura Farrell, Doris Friedrich and Seth Myers

The Arctic This Week 2014:16

Dear Friends,

As usual, welcome and thanks for joining us this week!

TATW’s esteemed editor, Kevin Casey, is embarking on a new and exciting adventure. With his days now considerably fuller, Maura will now take on the responsibility of compiling and editing TATW. But never fear, dear readers, Kevin will continue to write his superb energy section each week.

As the second member to join the TATW team back in early 2013, Kevin dedicated countless hours to “TDubbs” (as he affectionately calls it) and created its streamlined, reader-friendly new format. We are so pleased to have him stay on as an integral member of the team. To read some of Kevin’s analytical writing or listen to one of his podcasts, check out our website.

We hope that you find TATW interesting and entertaining to read. If you’re not a subscriber yet, you can sign up here. The PDF version can be found here. All editorial choices, opinions and any mistakes are the authors’ own. To comment, to point out an error, to share material with us, or to request a back issue, feel free to contact us directly. Thanks, and see you again next week!

ARCTIC CONFERENCE AND EVENTS LIST

The Arctic Institute maintains and provides access to a list of Arctic-themed conferences, workshops, and events. You can access the list by clicking on the following link:

Arctic Conference and Events List

READS OF THE WEEK

While Russia has portrayed the export of oil from the Prirazlomnaya as a triumph, this article by Kevin McGwin in the Arctic Journal shows how the economics of the new field’s oil are marginal, and even a slight drop in oil prices will quickly make the project unprofitable.

Canadian legal scholar Michael Byers weighs in on recent events in Arctic politics in a prescriptively-title piece in The Globe & Mail: “Squeeze Putin, but the Arctic is not Ukraine.”

As it turns out, smelly bacteria could help clean up old mine sites. With the right balance of ingredients to keep the bacteria happy, they take in the heavy metals from the mines and transform them into organic matter and water (YN).

The National Research Council recently published its reports on oil spills and adaptation to climate change. Eilís Quinn’s interview with Fran Ulmer, chair of the US Arctic Research Commission highlights the relevance of the National Research Council’s recent reports on the preparedness for oil spills and the potential effects of climate change (The Arctic in the Anthropocene; Responding to Oil Spills in the US Arctic Marine Environment) (EOTA).

Greenpeace has released video footage of the world’s first shipment of Arctic oil, which it tracked by helicopter and by boats. The oil on board the Russian tanker Mikhail Ulyanov, which is headed for Rotterdam in The Netherlands, comes from Gazprom’s Prirazlomnaya platform (AJ). The company’s head of safety, Mikhail Suslin, complained about the safety problems created by Greenpeace’s “irresponsible publicity stunt” (Belfast Telegraph).

“NORAD Next” – a strategic review due to be presented in the upcoming months – will examine upgrading NORAD’s radar capabilities to allow for better monitoring of Arctic waters. NORAD’s current radar array for the region – the North Warning System – was built in the 1980s and has a life expectancy to only about 2025 (DefenseNews).

THE POLITICAL SCENE

Putin, sanctions, and oil

Last week, western countries imposed sanctions on more members of President Putin’s “inner circle” (BO). Increasingly concerned by the presence of Russian troops near Ukraine, EU ambassadors targeted fifteen additional individuals, while the US added seven to its list (BO). Canada added nine (Mondaq). Following the announcement of the countries’ sanctions, Mr. Putin said, “I do not see a need for us to take countermeasures,” – at least for now (Website of the President). Despite testy relations, Norway and Russia will continue to cooperate on environmental and energy matters. According to Barents Observer, the two countries are “making first preparations for joint oil extraction in the Barents Sea.”

Byers’ Arctic accolades

These days, one might say there’s quite enough commentary about Putin, Ukraine, and the Arctic to go around. One familiar commentator is Michael Byers, whose recent piece in the Globe & Mail borders on hilarity with quotable gems such as “Mr. Putin is a thug, but not a fool,” and “Moscow in winter is like the bar scene in Star Wars.” Byers made headlines this week when his book International Law and the Arctic won the Donner Prize, a CAN 50,000 award given to the best Canadian-authored public policy book (The Vancouver Sun, The Toronto Star). For more from Byers, check out his recent interview with Radio National’s Future Tense.

Greenpeace does it again

On Thursday, Dutch authorities arrested forty-four Greenpeace activists – including seven of last year’s “Arctic 30” – outside Rotterdam (The Guardian). As part of Greenpeace’s most recent demonstration, eighty activists attempted to prevent a Russian tanker from docking at the Netherlands’ Rotterdam harbor (NN). The tanker, chartered by Russian oil company Gazprom, was carrying the first shipment of oil from the Prirazlomanaya platform in Russia’s Pechora Sea (Environment News, G&M). After Dutch authorities intervened, storming Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior and detaining its crew, the oil tanker successfully harbored in Rotterdam (Reuters, Grist). The website Popular Resistance said the Dutch authorities’ response to the demonstration “represented a stark contrast to the events of September 2013,” when Russian authorities held Greenpeace activists in custody for two months.

International

From China, with strings attached (AJ).

Greenland and the Arctic: The next Ukraine? (The Copenhagen Post).

Canada

GNWT makes first regulatory approvals (NJ).

Sahtu government rebukes ‘disregard’ by Imperial (NJ).

United States

Power without a purpose (AJ).

Alaska U.S. Senate candidates weigh in on same-sex marriage (FNM).

The Nordics

Who will be Barents-Rune’s successor? (BO).

Kovtun to join Norway’s constitution celebration (BO).

ENERGY

Oil pipeline spill strikes Alaska’s North Slope

A pipeline carrying natural gas, oil and water ruptured in the western section of Prudhoe Bay last Monday, spraying oil over dozens of acres of the snow-covered tundra (PN). A 30-mile-per-hour wind contributed to the wide dispersal of oil from the pressurized pipeline (AD). By Wednesday, over 30 personnel were at work cleaning up the site (AD) and by the end of the day had removed over 70 cubic yards of contaminated snow (AD).

Controversy continues in Alberta and NWT oil patch

Environmental and public health groups in Yellowknife are calling for a public review of a ConcocPhillips fracking project near Norman Wells that was allowed to proceed without an environmental assessment. In response, legislators representing the Sahtu region told the Yellowknifers to mind their own business because the land’s management isn’t up to them (NJ). To pile wood on the fire, the Sahtu Land and Water Board announced that it will likely allow another fracking project, this one by Husky Energy, to bypass a full environmental assessment (NJ). In northern Alberta, First Nations are questioning the environmental review process around the Teck oilsands project (NJ), while Alberta regulators have given the green light to Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. to resume oilsands extraction at Cold Lake in spite of an oil spill that released a million liters over the past year (NJ). The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is looking to translate oilsands money into clean energy through investing in a solar energy project (NJ), and Chinese oil companies continue to advance their interests in Alberta oilsands (NJ).

Crimea-on-the-Barents

Geopolitics has presented new challenges to cooperation on energy development in the Arctic. After it was announced that Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin would be placed on the international sanctions list, Statoil announced that it would postpone a planned partnership in Western Siberia, though the Norwegian company denied the decision was due to the crisis in Ukraine (BO). Sechin shrugged off the sanctions (saying they reflected a “high assessment of the effectiveness of Rosneft’s work”) while the American company ExxonMobil said it was still committed to working with Rosneft in the Arctic (BO). Cooperation of the atomic variety appears on track, as well, as Norway plans to continue its cooperation with Russia on nuclear energy in the near future (BO).

Russia

Despite the best efforts of Greenpeace’s “Arctic 30” and their protests against oil development in the Russian Arctic, the Prirazlomnoye platform shipped its first tanker of oil to Europe this week (AJ).

Alaska

Are you in need a no-nonsense explanation of the LNG project legislation recently approved by the Alaska legislature? If you are, see this article in the Alaska Dispatch. The publicly owned Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority will invest USD 50 million to help finance a petroleum processing facility on the central North Slope (PN).

Regulators see oil containment as key (PN).

Construction of Cook Inlet subsea pipeline now set to begin in 2015 (PN).

Canada

Two worthwhile articles in Petroleum News address oil and gas issues affecting Canada and the US, both by Gary Park. The first explores the conundrum of crude oil exports and whether or not they are in Canada and the US’s best interests (PN). The second looks at the state of Canada’s oil and gas pipelines (PN).

Norway

Is China interested in buying a coal mine that sits on 217 square kilometers on the island of Svalbard (BO)? I doubt China would go to such lengths to secure a few million tons of coal, though securing an Arctic foothold could be quite valuable for China’s Arctic ambitions (IBT).

Statoil discovered more Barents oil, but not enough (BO).

Russia

Rosneft puts arctic exploration at top of its agenda (UPI).

Total's purchase of Arctic oil shipment sparks row over offshore exploration (The Guardian).

Russia Ships First Arctic Oil, Fortifies Oil Defenses (ENS).

Greenpeace Ship to Confront Gazprom Tanker (ME).

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE

The National Research Council releases reports on oil spills and adaptation to climate change

Eilís Quinn’s interview with Fran Ulmer, chair of the US Arctic Research Commission highlights the relevance of the National Research Council’s recent reports on the preparedness for oil spills and the potential effects of climate change (The Arctic in the Anthropocene, Responding to Oil Spills in the US Arctic Marine Environment). Nevertheless, the comprehensive reports need to be complemented by direct and personal contact and communication between the people living in the North and researchers in the capitals. This is essential to integrate traditional knowledge and values and scientific work (EOTA). Find out more about the Emerging Research Questions resulting from climate change here (National Academies).

“Help us farewell our Shorebirds”

Farewell Shorebirds, an event of BirdLife Australia, invites people to learn more about the 35 species of shorebirds, which migrate from Australia to breed in the Arctic. The website provides informative webcasts and detailed information about the birds’ flyway (Farewell Shorebirds).

Climate

The Arctic from space: A clear pattern of warming, thaw and melt (AD).

Arctic sea ice at fifth lowest annual maximum (NSIDC).

Coldest star ever found by NASA astronomers (UPI).

Arctic Methane Emissions ‘Certain to Trigger Warming’ (CC).

Defusing the Arctic Methane Time Bomb (WUWT).

Black carbon in the Arctic – so what? (Arctic Info)

Report: Human effect on climate raises big questions about Arctic's future (AD).

Climate Change. From “Would” and “Will” to “Could” and “Can” - Climate Change and Environmental (In)Justice in the North American Arctic (Anthropology News).

Flora and fauna

Polar Bear Expedition Finds Little Ice and Few Mother Bears (WWF).

Aerial survey aims to unlock the mystery of Canada’s Arctic whales (Montreal Gazette).

Wildlife board to consult on roadside bear hunt (YN).

Hunting musk ox in the frigid Arctic (Lancaster Online).

Expeditions & research blogs

Under the Ice (Years of Living Dangerously).

Miscellaneous

Scientists Claim Mendeleev Ridge Is Russian Continental Shelf (Moscow Times).

Apply for the Arctic Summer College! Deadline May 30^th (Arctic Summer College).

Bigger, Better Arctic Studies Needed, U.S. Report Argues (Science Mag).

Fun Arctic Facts for Kids (Science Kids).

Russian-American Collaboration Carries on in Key Arctic Ecosystem (Yale).

Arctic science plan to support White House policy (AJ).

Arctic Science and Technology Information System (ASTIS) database (University of Calgary).

Canadian web documentary highlights Arctic science - Profiles from the Arctic (AD).

MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE

Concerns continue over threat of conflict in Arctic

Writing in Newsweek, Max Strasser provides an overview of some of the concerns currently being examined by the US Navy with regards to the Arctic, and Navy Times looks provides an overview of current US capabilities in the region. Meanwhile, Voice of Russia– somewhat predictably – claims that the threat of conflict in the region is fuelled by “the West’s” conviction “that Russia has no right to own the largest Arctic territory, its subsoil and the seas.”

Canada

Canadian military studying personnel cuts, heavier reliance on allies for new defence strategy (Calgary Herald).

British Arctic Star now a recognized military honour in Canada (CNW).

Russia

Radiation researchers denied access to naval waters (BO).

MINING

Smelly bacteria could help clean up old mine sites. With the right balance of ingredients to keep the bacteria happy, they take in the heavy metals from the mines and transform them into organic matter and water (YN).

Alaska’s federal regulators of surface mining stated that the state’s attorney fee rules in challenges to coal strip mines are inconsistent with federal law and must be changed. The rules make unsuccessful challenges against mining companies very costly: the challenger can be held accountable for the mining company’s attorney fees. This impedes lawsuits against mining companies (AD).

Alaska

Mining News: Bokan, Niblack funding bill advances (PN).

Mining News: Pebble talk dominates mining symposium (PN).

Weekly Online: May 01, 2014 - Vol. 08, No. 18, Alaska News Nuggets (PN).

Pebble CEO calls on EPA to “stand down” and let process work (PN).

Canada

Osisko drill results lift Abitibi Royalties to new heights (CMJ).

GOLD: Premier to test potential pits near Hardrock (CMJ).

GOLD: Development reaches upper part of Island Gold Deep resource (CMJ).

Meadowbank helps put Agnico Eagle back in the black (CBC).

Weekly Online: May 01, 2014 - Vol. 08, No. 18, Yukon Territory (PN).

Weekly Online: May 01, 2014 - Vol. 08, No. 18, Nunavut (PN).

RARE EARTHS: Avalon gets permit for Nechalacho pre-construction (CMJ).

Ottawa removes production limit on Nunavut iron mine (PN).

Svalbard

Arctic archipelago property attracting global investors including China (StratRisks).

FISHERIES, SHIPPING & OTHER BUSINESS NEWS

“Don’t buy Greenlandic.”

The Arctic Journal’s article uses this catchy phrase to point to the problems linked to buying Greenlandic (or generally local) food for the only reason of its origin. There are five problems associated with this “short-term, detrimental philosophy” relating to companies’ investments, inflation, ineffective uncompetitive companies, and international markets (AJ).

Shipping

Finland Has an Advantage in Arctic Maritime Technology (University of Turku).

Senior Arctic Official Gustaf Lind on the Development of Arctic shipping (Arctic Council).

Arctic ice melt leading to a surge in swells (BO).

Russia eyes Crimean shipyard to produce Arctic supertankers (BO).

Northwest Passage shipping hopes cooled by transport minister (Vancouver Sun).

Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials Patrick Borbey on sustainable Arctic shipping (Arctic Council).

Dynagas LNG Partners LP - Arctic Aurora Acquisition (MW).

GAO: Limited Commercial Arctic Development Foreseen (Marine Link).

Other business and economic news

New tool for predicting sea ice extent could boost Arctic development (BO).

Inuvik revs up for tourism season with new staff (NJ).

Arctic investment the 'best opportunity of last 12,000 years' (SMH).

The Mind-Boggling Industrial Future of the Arctic (Gawker).

Fly like a bumblebee (Greenland) (AJ).

Russia Approves Program on Arctic Zone Development (RIA).

HEALTH, EDUCATION, SOCIETY & CULTURE

Health

Canadian Olympian Clara Hughes visited Iqaluit last week as part of her cycling trip “Clara’s Big Ride” (NN). The trip is sponsored by Bell Canada’s “Let’s Talk” campaign. During the visit, Bell announced it would spend CAN 1 million on community mental health projects in northern Canadian provinces over the next five years (NN).

Education

RM of Wood Buffalo protests education tax hike (NJ).

Nunavut high school hosts second Rainbow Day (NN).

Randy Smith students create custom Alaska-themed chairs (FNM).

Girdwood students learn about wildlife careers (FNM).

Society

Can you hear me now? Alaska Communications expanded its 4G LTE services to the Fairbanks area last week (FNM), while in Rankin Inlet, Bell Mobility users are growing frustrated with the unreliability of their 4G services (NN).

Thousands pay respects as bodies of slain Alaska State Troopers returned to Fairbanks (FNM).

Ben Saunders becomes new face of LEGO City Arctic (Toy News).

Editor wins over prosecutor (BO).

Residents sound off about crime in Nunavut (NN).

Legion Efforts Successful in Advancing Awarding of Arctic Star Medal (Royal Canadian Legion).

Arviat Community Ecotourism picks up international award (NN).

Finnish man invents a better wood-splitting axe (EOTA).

Price for Alaska state park cabins going up (FNM).

Plans almost ready for Sydney Apartments in Inuvik, NWT (CBC).

Sprague Theobald Negotiated the Northwest Passage (Liberty Voice).

Fort Smith marks Earth Day with a call to action (NJ).

Southcentral Alaska skies clouded with Chinese pollution (AD).

Dry, warm spring lessens flooding danger on Interior Alaska rivers (AD).

Small earthquakes rattle northern Alaska (FNM).

Ordering pizza in the Arctic (Northier Than Thou).

Culture

Yukoners recognized for heritage work (YN).

New made-in-Nunavik app takes users on the land, in Inuktitut (NN).

Pirurvik offers an Inuktitut refresher course for Inuit (NN).

UAF to offer training for growing film industry (FNM).

Headless Owl carries indie talents to Whitehorse (FNM).

INFRASTRUCTURE

Gambell hosts Arctic Infrastructure Conference

The conference was organized by The Bering Sea Alliance, LLC, which “is composed of seven village corporations in the Bering Straits Region,” and runs for two days. The conference focuses specifically on three components: resource development, infrastructure, and oil spill response, and featured speakers from the US Geological Survey and the Alaska State Legislature, among others (KNOM, Washington Times).

Canada

Tuktoyaktuk highway construction behind schedule (CBC).

SPORTS

Canada

Clara Hughes cycles North on ‘Big Ride’ for mental health (CBC).

Sub Zero digs bronze at B.C. championships (YN).

Glacier Bears maul record book at swim championship (YN).

Iqualuit teen tackles solo 5km walk for Kids’ Help Phone (CBC).

Europe

Devon twins Ross and Hugo Turner in arctic charity trek (BBC).

Avid motorbiker set to embark on Arctic Ride to raise money for charity (BO).

IMAGES AND VIDEO

On twitter this week, check out a nice panoramic of Cape Dorset, a satellite view of the Kamchatka Peninsula, an expedition portrait and a campsite, an Arctic oceanography exhibit, Svalbard’s wildlife, and another expedition shot. On Instagram, users posted “the suites at Hotel Duster,” an imposing glacier, a sunlit snowboarder, and Greenpeace’s latest Arctic oil protest. Also check out Destination Unknown’s photo essay “All about the Walrus” and National Geographic’s slideshow “Yukon: Canada’s Wild West.”

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)

Courtesy of Mads Pihl on flickr.com

By Kevin Casey, Maura Farrell, Doris Friedrich, Seth Myers and Caitlin Del Sole

The Arctic This Week 2014:17

Welcome to another exciting edition of The Arctic This Week! You can find the PDF version of this edition here.

This week, we have the pleasure of introducing Caitlin Del Sole as the newest member of the TATW team. Caitlin, a TAI veteran and seasoned Arctic aficionado-slash-expert, recently completed her Master’s at American University and is excited to contribute to TATW now that she has finished her coursework. Look for her writing each week in the Society and Mining sections!

We hope that you find TATW interesting and entertaining to read. If you’re not a subscriber yet, you can sign up here. All editorial choices, opinions and any mistakes are the authors’ own. To comment, to point out an error, to share material with us, or to request a back issue, please feel free to contact us directly.

Thanks for reading, and see you again next week.

ARCTIC CONFERENCE AND EVENTS LIST

The Arctic Institute maintains and provides access to a list of Arctic-themed conferences, workshops, and events. You can access the list by clicking on the following link:

Arctic Conference and Events List

READS OF THE WEEK

A nice infographic feature from Foreign Policy outlines a short history of Arctic sovereignty. While we’re always skeptical of lofty rhetoric detailing an Arctic “race” to access “untold billions,” the timeline is worth a look-see on the basis of its pretty in purple illustrations alone. Now, if you want to get serious with your political reads this week, and you haven’t checked it out already, pick up a copy of Arctic Marine Governance: Opportunities for Transatlantic Cooperation and peruse a few chapters.

For energy-related reads, start with this superb article in National Geographic by Christina Nunez that details the recent National Research Council report on Arctic oil spill preparedness. While on that topic, see this article by Derek Mead that looks at the unsettling inevitability of Arctic oil spills (Vice). Net, Reuters details the economic woes that oil has wrought on Norway and the danger that falling oil and gas production may spell the end for that country’s generous (some might say too generous) welfare system (Reuters).

While increasing attention is being given to the Coast Guard’s current and Navy’s future role in the Arctic, US Army Alaska is also working to increase its operational capabilities in the region – most recently at the Arctic Pegasus exercise on 1-3 May. During the exercise, the troops from the 4^th Brigade Combat Team, 25^th Infantry Division practiced airborne Arctic operations, and units worked to grow their relationships and interoperability with the Air Force, Alaska Guard, and other organizations in the state (Military Times).

A new report co-authored by the University of New Hampshire and the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute in St. Petersburg found that climate change is severely restricting the operability of ice roads in the Arctic, and may ultimately wreck havoc on transportation in the region. The report studied Russian waterways, and found that “the Severnaya Dvina, Lena and Yenisey rivers lost approximately seven days of usability while the Ob at Salekhard season is now shorter by 20 days” (BO; full report available at IOPScience.com).

The Nunavut Food Security and Action Plan was released on Monday, seeking to help residents access food and respond to study results finding that residents in the far north have the lowest levels of food security in Canada (The Arctic Journal).

In mining news, the Canadian government, potentially opening mining on one of the world’s largest iron mines by the end of the year, has approved the initial phase of the Mary River Project, the opportunities and challenges of which are outlined by the Arctic Journal. The extent of mining potential and current mining activity in Canada is explored in this technical piece in the Canadian Mining Journal.

If you’re in the New York City area, check out the exhibition on Sámi Stories: Art and Identity of an Arctic People, hosted at the Scandinavia House this summer (Twitter). The free exhibit surveys history, art and politics of the Sami people in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Russia (NYT).

THE POLITICAL SCENE

International

Will the Antarctic share the Arctic’s fate? (AD).

CITES launches review of polar bear trade (NN).

Interview: The Arctic Council, is it time for Lithuania to join it? (The Lithuania Tribune).

United States

It’s not every day that Sarah Palin “rears her head” on the political scene (at least according to Alaska Dispatch). During a talk radio appearance, Palin expressed support for gubernatorial candidate Bill Walker and the oil tax regime she helped put into place as governor. State legislators, as well as Palin’s successor and former deputy, Governor Sean Parnell, dismantled that tax structure last year (Huffington Post). In the interview, Palin advised listeners to “remember that Sean Parnell came from the oil industry” (FNM).

Alaskans should sound off on guide to Arctic policy (AD).

NAACP criticizes Sullivan's slavery remarks (AD).

Fisheries debate called off over lack of participation (FNM).

Canada

Nobel laureate to speak at conference on treaties (NJ).

“Paradigm shift” needed for first nations (NJ).

Wood cutting charges intrude on treaty, Aboriginal rights: chiefs (NJ).

Russia

Marina Kovtun resigned from her post as Governor of Murmansk Oblast last week and will now act as “acting governor” (BO). Kovtun, who was appointed in 2012, asked President Putin to be released from her official post in order to participate in the elections this fall and thus be directly elected. According to Barents Observer, Kovtun’s chances of wining the September 14^th election are good. In other Russian news, a proposed amendment to Russia’s child protection law seeks to ban distributing “unpatriotic information” to children. The law currently bans “gay propaganda,” termed “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships” in the current law (BO).

ENERGY

Conflict continues over proposed NWT fracking

A new report released last week by Environment Canada says that research on hydraulic fracturing is premature and inconclusive and does not provide a strong enough foundation to understand and manage the environmental risks of the drilling technique (AD). The report focused on the potential impacts on groundwater, saying that much more research will be needed to understand long-term impacts on water quality (NJ). While the report recommends caution, the government of the NWT has said it will continue to allow fracking by ConocoPhillips and Husky Energy in the Sahtu region. While the NWT’s government is committed to moving ahead with fracking approval, permit applications for both ConocoPhillips and Husky have run into snags with the Sahtu Land and Water Board (NJ). Questions about water use, fracking chemicals, and wastewater have been raised with the proposed projects, though the government continues to say that both projects will be able to move forward.

Sweden

Hydropower station challenged; nuclear energy loses favor (AD).

Unique court in North Sweden could see hydropower stations closed (EOTA).

Canada

Shell is trying hard to clean up the reputation of Canada’s oil sands sector with an expensive and ambitious carbon sequestration project at the company’s heavy oil upgrade facility 50km northeast of Edmonton (CMJ).

Oil sands top breakeven list (PN).

Nunavut Marine Council urges go-slow approach to seismic testing, oil-gas drilling (NN).

Return to the Arctic? Chevron seeks certainty on blowout plans before pumping funds into drilling project (FP).

Alaska

In spite of steady oil prices and increased spending, ConocoPhillips reported a 10% increase in profits during the first quarter of this year compared with last – thanks to the new fiscal regime passed by the State of Alaska last year (PN).

BP’s sale to Hilcorp pegged at $1.25B (PN).

Shell CFO comments on Alaska commitment (PN).

Russia

Moscow prepares for Arctic drilling (BO)

Oil Industry Risks $1.1 Trillion of Investor Cash (Bloomberg).

Norway

Greenpeace’s latest assault on Arctic oil exploration takes aim at Statoil this time, with a new website called “NewStatoil” that asks what the Norwegian oil and gas company needs to do to become part of the solution to carbon emissions and global warming.

End of oil boom threatens Norway's welfare model (Reuters).

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Greenland’s melting: natural, man-made or both?

A paper published last week in Nature triggered another round of debate on the extent to which climate change is man-made. The research team of the University of Washington headed by Qinghua Ding concluded that most of the warming since 1979 has occurred in northeastern Canada and Greenland and is strongly associated with a negative trend in the North Atlantic Oscillation. This negative trend, in turn, is a response to “anomalous Rossby wave-train activity originating in the tropical Pacific” (Nature). This implies that the warming in these Arctic regions is not connected to global warming. This makes Irene Quaile wonder how “natural” warming can be distinguished from man-made warming in a region, which has been strongly influenced by human activities. Nevertheless, the study’s findings do not dispute the effect of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions on the climate and temperature trend of the northern regions (DW). Indeed, half of the warming can be attributed to manmade causes (AD). And even though the results might make us “feel slightly less guilty about our fossil fuel habit,” “with the planet on the line, half guilty, is all guilty” (International Science Times).

Polar bears’ start into this year’s feeding season

A new study by Liu et al. found that the polar bears descended from brown bears around 500,000 years ago, making them a much younger species than previously thought. The researchers further discovered genes helping polar bears to cope with a diet rich in fat while avoiding related diseases that typically affect humans on a similar diet (Business Standard).

During this time of the year, polar bears are usually out on the sea ice, feeding on seal pups. Susan Crockford used this as a good opportunity to give an overview of the various regions with polar bear populations in which the ice extent increased over April - see the maps here (Polar Bear Science). This comes only a few days after another one of Crockford‘s articles, in which she argues that polar bear populations have not been on the decline since 2008 (Polar Bear Science).

Good to know… This makes Joseph Blumberg‘s advice on “how not to get eaten by polar bears” even more relevant. Most importantly, if you encounter a polar bear, let it know that you are human as soon as possible to satisfy its curiosity. For polar bears, “the human voice is probably the best deterrent there is“ (Dartmouth Now).

Climate

Alaska feels outsized effects of climate change, according to new national report (EOTA).

Broad backing for climate protection law in Finland (EOTA).

Future increases in Arctic precipitation linked to local evaporation and sea-ice retreat (Nature).

In our response to the Arctic, we will be judged by posterity (NN).

Understanding the Arctic sea ice (Polar Portal).

Predictable September Arctic sea-ice minimum? (NERC).

Significant Arctic Sea Ice Story a Possibility This Year (WUWT).

Spring unloaded (NSIDC).

Misleading Fox Chart Shows Only 2 Years To Hide Decades Of Arctic Sea Ice Decline (Media Matters).

Scientist Tells Bill Moyers That Letting Climate Change Happen Is an 'Intergenerational Crime' (AlterNet).

Outlook for sea ice remains bleak (Arctic News).

Flora and fauna

Rare peregrine falcons spotted in Finland’s Arctic (AD).

The large marine ecosystem approach to assessment and management of Polar Bears During Climate Change (Environmental Development).

Expeditions & research blogs

More Glacier Surveys for IceBridge (NASA).

In vicious cycle, waves found to grow as Arctic sea ice declines (AGU).

Miscellaneous

Seismologists head to Noatak after quakes rattle Arctic (Arctic Sounder).

Interview from the Scientific Cooperation Task Force Meeting (Arctic Council).

Emerging Arctic Research Questions (Polar Bears International).

U.S.-Russia tensions create worries for Arctic scientists (AD).

Our Changing Arctic (AJ).

Transferring live, from inside the Arctic Circle (AJ).

MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE

ICEX 2014 Tests Arctic Satellite Capabilities

During the 2014 Ice Exercise, communications in the Arctic achieved a breakthrough when “Lockheed Martin’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellites were able to provide nearly 150 hours of secure data connections, representing the first time that military users could transfer megabyte-sized files in the Arctic” (DefenseSystems.com). While Lockheed was able to test the reach of the MUOS last year – and prove that it was indeed operable in the Arctic – this year’s tests showed that it could work to deliver large amounts of data – files of up to 20 megabytes – for a sustained period on a secure, classified connection (GCN). The system may prove particularly important for shipping, and Lockheed says that the MUOS can be used with radio terminals “on board ships and airplanes as well as on the ground” (NN).

USCG Assesses Environmental Impact of Arctic Missions

A new study from the U.S. Coast Guard – the Environmental Assessment on Arctic Operations and Training Exercises– concludes that the environmental impact of increased USCG operations in the region is likely to be minimal, “and finds an increased Coast Guard presence will have ‘no significant adverse impacts’ on water quality, arctic biology, cultural resources, and public safety” (EOTA and AlaskaPublic). Furthermore, the report indicates that an increase in USCG activity may actually be beneficial to the environment, with more operations in the region making it easier to curtail illegal fishing (FierceHomelandSecurity.com). As a follow-up to the report, the Coast Guard will be hosting a series of four open house meetings – in Nome, Anchorage, Kotzebue, and Barrow – to discuss potential environmental impacts of its operations this summer (KTUU).

Europe

Finland and Sweden tighten defence co-operation (EOTA).

Russian spy plane nearly collides with SAS flight (EOTA).

British Arctic Convoy Veterans honoured on board HMS Belfast (ITV).

United States

Hey Russia, American Paratroopers Jump in the Arctic, Too! (medium.com).

Night artillery exercises planned at Donnelly Training Area (FNM).

Canada

Coast guard contract means off-season jobs at N.W.T. shipyard (CBC).

MINING

Pebble project under EPA scrutiny

An internal watchdog of the EPA has launched an investigation of the Pebble copper-gold-molybdenum deposit in Bristol Bay, Alaska over alleged misconduct in conducting an ecosystem impact assessment (PN). Pebble’s CEO has responded that the EPA is acting pre-emptively and beyond its authority in launching a review (PN).

Kennady unearthing high quality NWT diamonds (NJ).

Avalon granted land use permit for rare earth mine (NJ).

Caribou Legs faces off with premier (YN).

Newmont needs more time to remediate Con Mine site in NWT (CBC News).

Gold: Top 10 producers (CMJ)

Industry sees return of the hostile takeover bid (PN).

Alaska News Nuggets (PN).

FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS

Promoting Greenland‘s economic development

Last week, the second annual conference to promote the development of Greenland‘s economy took place in Copenhagen. While the focus has been and still is on the mining industry, fishing is another crucial industry. According to Sara Olsvig, Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, 90% of the country‘s exports are fish products. In addition, tourism could be an important source of income, giving the economy a fresh impetus (AJ).

Shipping

North Korea and the Northern Sea Route (Cryopolitics).

Arctic may not get that busy says U.S. report (EOTA).

Baltiysky Shipyard to build three new icebreakers by 2020 (BO).

Arctic Shipping Developments (S4S).

Other business and economic news

Finnair traffic perks up in April (EOTA).

A success waiting to happen (AJ).

Talk of trade intensifies in North Atlantic region (Portland Press Herald).

Arctic Beverages Purchased by Three Successful Aboriginal-Owned Organizations (AHKI).

Over the Top: the Emergence of Arctic Ocean Trade (SCIR).

Climate Change Warming Up Business In The Arctic (NPR).

Arctic archipelago property attracting global investors (Opp Connect).

HEALTH, EDUCATION, SOCIETY AND CULTURE

Norway to make the first Arctic whisky

A family in Myken, a town in western Norway, is planning on opening a distillery for whisky in hopes of revitalizing the town and drawing new tourism (BO). They hope using Arctic glacial waters will act as a marketing draw, bringing attention to the new product (The Star), which they aim to begin producing this year (Daily News).

Health

High NWT immunization rates protect population (NJ).

Arctic toxins affect babies' brains in different ways (Straight.com).

Education

Should Nunavut build a university? (NN).

Students on Ice – What is the Parks Canada Students on Ice summer program? (Parks Canada).

Society

Check out this interactive map from Quark Expeditions to digitally explore the Arctic.

Rising costs making mobile homes unaffordable, says homeowner (CBC News).

The human cost of Alaska’s broken rural justice system (AD).

$83.49 For A Case Of Water? Welcome To Nunavut (HP).

Constant Arctic Heatwave Sends World’s Largest Ice Cap Hurtling Seaward (Robert Scribbler Blog).

Yellowknife plans to turn Con Mine site into recreation area (CBC News).

Sonar Sports Invisible Arctic Oil Spills (Scientific American).

Culture

Iqqaumavara: Watch the 12 short films that tell the story of this human tragedy (Iqqaumavara).

Nuna and her cute Arctic fox are ‘Never Alone’ in Alaska (Joystiq).

A long night’s journey into spring (AJ).

INFRASTRUCTURE

United States

A new report from the Government Accountability Office predicts that over the next decade, there is little evidence that shipping will increase significantly in Arctic waters off the United States (AlaskaPublic.org). And according to a somewhat dubious-sounding report in the Beijing Times, China is examining the potential of connecting PRC with Russia and the USA via an underwater railway beneath the Bering Strait. The report has been met with significant skepticism (Gizmodo, Business Standard, and AllVoices).

NASA’s ‘video game’ to map Arctic glaciers (Al Jazeera).

Canada

Project aims to study ice to help future engineers (The Telegram)

Site C dam report to be made public this week (NJ).

Arctic Journal takes an in-depth look at how the Canadian High North is lagging behind the rest of Canada in connectivity.

SPORTS

Canada

Whitehorse player scouted by four WHL teams (YN).

Team North hockey players bond at tournament in Quebec (NJ).

Europe

Twins Ross and Hugo Turner abandon polar trek (BBC).

IMAGES AND VIDEO

This week was all about the standalone shots. Check out these photos of an Arctic Boreal Moose (National Geographic), glacier field work (flickr), a polar bear in water (Fine Art America), Mikofox’s “Lichen Detail” (flickr), some Arctic signage (here and here, on instagram), an a “perfekt” Arctic beach (Think Norway). Also check out these photos from NASA’s Operation IceBridge.

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)

The Arctic This Week May 12- May 19

By Kevin Casey, Maura Farrell, Doris Friedrich, Seth Myers and Caitlin Del Sole, May 21, 2014

Welcome and thanks for joining us this week! We hope that you find TATW interesting and entertaining to read. If you’re not a subscriber yet, you can sign up here. You can read the PDF version here.

Photo: Hans Christian Sivertsen

ARCTIC CONFERENCE AND EVENTS LIST

The Arctic Institute maintains and provides access to a list of Arctic-themed conferences, workshops, and events. You can access the list by clicking on the following link:

Arctic Conference and Events List

TAI’s RECENT ACTIVITIES

TAI’s Andreas Raspotnik will present on EU Arctic policy at the University of Iceland’s Institute of International Affairs’ Opnir seminar on Monday, June 2nd. More information on the seminars can be found on the IIA website. Ambassador Hannu Halinen and Malgorzata Smieszek will also present during the seminar.

Earlier this month, TAI Executive Director Malte Humpert was featured alongside Michael Byers and other experts in an interview for Radio National Australia on “The Arctic, Antarctic and geopolitical maneuvering.” You can listen to or download the story on Radio National’s website.

READS OF THE WEEK

The Government of Greenland is forging ahead with offshore oil and gas licensing, even though a recent poll shows that half of Greenlanders say oil exploration should be limited or forbidden there (NN).

In political news, the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission and the European Union have been busying themselves with Arctic policy in recent weeks. The Commission continued work on its report for the Alaska State Legislature (AD, ADN), while the Council of the European Union adopted a list of conclusions on EU Arctic policy.

The start-up company Barentzymes opened on May 1st with 12 highly qualified researchers. Jan Buch Andersen, founder and Managing Director of Barentzymes, explains that enzymes could be used to convert biological waste into food. This might be crucial when the global population reaches nine billion people, which is estimated to happen by 2050 (Norut).

Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation (FEDC) wants to help entrepreneurs with the difficult process of starting a new company by providing microcredits through their Kiva Zip micro-loan program. By crowdfunding specific pre-approved projects through its website, Kiva Zip is able to facilitate the access to zero percent interest loans for small businesses and financially challenged entrepreneurs (NM).

In society news, there were a number of stories focused on challenges and opportunities for youth. A youth house called Mr.Pink in Murmansk, Russia, that seeks to provide opportunities for young people to collaborate and “live their dream” while earning money, is facing an uncertain fate, as outlined in this Barents Observer article, due to lack of sustainable funding and a mess of bureaucratic red tape. At the Nunavut Roundtable for Poverty Reduction this week, concerned parties discussed the impacts of poverty on childhood development and success, highlighting the need for a community approach to this problem, and calling for future roundtables and the development of a working group (NN). In Whitehorse, Canada, a “health-care hack-a-thon” was hosted this weekend, drawing over 100 innovators, both old and young, to pitch and create their ideas for improving healthcare in the North. This Yukon News article outlines a number of innovations, including the use of a 3-D printer by a 13-year-old to create customizable finger splints, as well as a variety of apps aimed at helping homeless people, aiding pregnant women, and improving communication. Lastly in society news, 92-year-old author Fawley Mowat passed away, leaving behind a legacy as Canada’s “first writer of creative non-fiction,” and a long career that is highlighted nicely in this National Post article.

After deciding to move the city center of Kiruna, Sweden three years ago in order to accommodate iron ore mining, final accelerated plans have been agreed upon, and construction is set to begin next month (BO). This BBC article gives great background on the history of this decision, scope of the project and outlines some of the challenges and opportunities of this “utopian experiment,” including designing the town to enhance culture, tourism and attract women to the male-dominated city. Finally, this article from The Guardian is a mining must-read, drawing attention to a little-discussed proposal by an Australian company to open one of the world’s largest uranium and rare earth mines in Kvanefjeld, in southern Greenland, and discussing the many environmental and security contentions that surround the development of radioactive materials.

THE POLITICAL SCENE

Stakeholders delve into Arctic governance and policy

The Alaska Arctic Policy Commission and the European Union have been busy discussing Arctic policy in recent weeks. The Commission continued work on its report for the Alaska State Legislature (due in January) and Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell advised members to take current events – Putin’s ambitions for the Northern Sea Route and his actions in Ukraine as well as Devolution in neighboring Canadian territories – into account (AD, ADN). Meanwhile, the Council of the European Union also addressed the Arctic Region, adopting a list of conclusions on EU Arctic policy. The Council on Foreign Relations’ Council of Councils (just to see how many times we can get “council” into one paragraph) also put out a “Global Memo” on the Next Steps in Arctic Governance. In another governance-based story, BusinessWorld outlined how one World Economic Forum official thinks resource sharing agreements – like the Maritime boundary treaty signed by Russia and Norway in 2010 – could resolve territorial disputes.

Ukraine’s reverberations felt by Arctic Council

Barents Observer and Deutsche Welle each published stories this week on the implications of conflict in Ukraine for Arctic cooperation and the work of the Arctic Council. In the Barents Observer piece, Alexander Pilyasov notes the adverse effects of political tensions on Arctic cooperation but uses the example of the Syrian crisis to illustrate that the Council can be utilized “as a mechanism of mutual understanding” (although he not-so-subtly suggests that the upcoming US chairmanship will leave a lot to be desired for the Arctic.) Irene Quaile’s piece for Deutsche Welle (a similar version of which appears in her Ice-Blog) notes “cooperation is becoming increasingly difficult” and “the political repercussions of the Ukraine crisis for the Arctic are undisputed.” Both authors’ positions represent a change from earlier assessments arguing that the Arctic Council would carry on “business as usual” in the wake of the crisis.

Russia

Putin Brings U.S.-Blacklisted Sechin, Timchenko on Chinese Visit (Bloomberg).

Russian business elite excluded from Canada's sanctions list (CBC).

Northern Exposure: Protest, petroleum, and Putin’s dream of a Russian Arctic (Harper’s).

Russia bans police, emergency and military employees from traveling abroad (BO).

Sleeping Giant hungry for Russian oil (BO).

United States

ANWR: Environmental, Native groups look to enter fray (Petroleum News).

Debunking the oil tax myth (FNM).

Miller pushes Senate opponents on climate change (AD).

Miller calls GOP opponents ‘climate change alarmists’ (ADN).

Endangered Senate Democrats Tout Political Roots (WSJ).

Canada

The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples issued an addendum to “The Situation of Indigenous Peoples in Canada” earlier this month. The report found it “difficult to reconcile Canada’s well-developed legal framework and general prosperity with the human rights problems faced by indigenous peoples in Canada.” This prompted the Arctic Journal’s Kevin McGwin to declare himself “UN-impressed” with Canada’s treatment of its native groups and its failure to exhaustively investigate the disappearances of hundreds of aboriginal women and girls in recent years.

Jean Charest critical of Canada-China deal delays (CBC).

Tories appear to be rebranding Stephen Harper as 'the environmental prime minister' (Yahoo!)

Nunavut hamlet council to request MLA’s removal from office (NN).

NWT wants to catch breath (Petroleum News).

Europe

Atlas authors: Scotland could be 'gateway to the north' (BBC).

Norwegian-Finnish Arctic partnership in the pipeline (BO).

Most Europeans don’t like “public morality” trade bans: survey (NN).

ENERGY

Will the Ukraine Crisis Push More Russian Oil and Gas to Asia?

With the west eying additional sanctions targeted at Russia’s energy sector, there’s an increasing likelihood that fallout from the Ukraine crisis will begin impacting Russia’s oil and gas sector and wider economy (Oilprince.com). New sanctions focused on limiting high-tech equipment and knowledge-sharing with Russian companies could hurt Russia’s push to tap Arctic and unconventional reserves (BO). With LNG prices in East Asia currently the highest in the world, exporting to the region makes good economic as well as geopolitical sense. With energy use forecast to grow slowly or stagnate in Europe while continuing to grow in China, East Asia holds much greater potential for market growth. Mia Bennett looks at the potential for shipping Arctic LNG to Asia in an article for Eurasia Review.

Canada

Utilities board approves Whitehorse LNG (YN).

Canada to tighten marine spill regs, establish area spill plans (PN).

Alaska

About one-third of the world's untapped gas and 13% of as yet undiscovered oil may lie beneath Arctic waters (WSJ).

Arctic offshore response: tough but possible (PN).

Government failed to inspect at-risk oil wells (PN).

Conoco positive on Alaska (PN).

A question of technology, people & risk (PN).

Donlin Gold files for right of way to build $1 billion gas line (AD).

Assessment board begins deliberating trans-Alaska pipeline value (EOTA).

Hearing underway in battle over valuation of Alaska pipeline (EOTA).

Norway

Oil companies are applauding Norway’s push to open up new areas for exploration in the Barents Sea near areas that had seasonal ice only three decades ago, though environmental groups say drilling that far north would be to tempt fate (Reuters). Statoil is under pressure to increase exploration in these more marginal regions as production in legacy fields is declining and recent exploration has turned up only meager discoveries (BO). Environmentalists, meanwhile, demonstrated outside Statoil’s headquarters this week to call attention to the company’s push for Arctic oil (Foreigner.no).

Melting Arctic tempting for Norwegian oil explorers (E & T Magazine).

Life after oil (AJ).

Greenland

Not necessarily opposed, just skeptical (AJ).

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Melting ice everywhere

Two new studies on the West Antarctic ice sheet were published this week: NASA’s 20-year study on six glaciers in the Amundsen Sea published in Geophysical Research Letters(NASA) and the University of Washington’s study in Science on the Thwaites glacier, which holds back the rest of the ice sheet (AAAS). They both estimate that the melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet, which would contribute 3 to 4 meters to the global sea level rise, could happen much faster than expected, that is 200 to 900 years from now (EOTA). Similarly, an article published inNature Geoscience corrects the estimates for the contributions of the Greenland ice sheet to sea level rise (phys.org). In the US, the National Climate Assessment report focuses on the shrinking of the glaciers in British Columbia (CBC). It further looks at the impacts of climate change on the US and examines issues such as extreme weather, human health, infrastructure, water supply, and agriculture (NCA).

Climate

Climate science: Understand Arctic methane variability (Nature).

AMAP releases Arctic Ocean Acidification Overview Report (Arctic Council).

Arctic sea ice extent below average for April (NN).

How Low Will the Arctic's Summer Sea Ice Go? (Scientific American)

MSM Pushes Doomsday Arctic Ice Sheet Propaganda (Infowars).

Melting of Antarctic ice sheet and 3-meter sea level rise inevitable – study (RT).

Scientists Warn of Rising Oceans From Polar Melt (NYT).

The bleeding edge of climate change is in the Arctic (ipolitics).

Arctic conference in Bangor to focus on state’s role in studying melting ice caps (BDN).

An avoidable truth: we can’t save the climate (AJ).

Video of the week - Documenting the decline (AJ).

Arctic sea ice in the Beaufort Gyre (WUWT).

Business as usual will mean crisis in the cryosphere (AD).

Flora and fauna

Arctic study sheds light on tree-ring divergence problem (Environmental Research Web).

Global Warming, Arctic Sea Ice and Ecological Impacts… (Wildlife Haze)

State census indicates 27 percent decline in Western Arctic Caribou herd (Greenfield Reporter).

Fighting to protect bird habitat in North America’s boreal forest (AD).

Pole to pole, the extraordinary migration of the Arctic tern (Independent).

18 Nunavummiut learn how to track fish populations (CBC).

Big mammals vs. Big Oil: New pipeline puts humpback whales at risk (Al Jazeera).

Crawling into a Polar Bear Den (PBI).

Calls for contributions

First Call for Sea Ice Outlook Contributions. Submission deadline: 10 June (ARCUS).

Polar Field Work Opportunities – Funding and Logistics. Deadline for Standard grants proposals: 22nd July (Antarctica).

Technology

Science and the Sikuliaq, both on display (NM).

Arctic Technology Conference to be hosted in Newfoundland and Labrador (Energy Global).

Detecting oil spills sandwiched in Arctic ice (phys.org).

Sennheiser Wireless Equipment Accompanies Research Scientist To The Arctic (Pro Sound Web).

Miscellaneous

Arctic Policy Commission hears concerns (Bristol Bay Times).

Polar explorers' telegraph station back in service in high Arctic (Svalbard) (Reuters).

Grimsby student arctic bound (Northumberland News).

MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE

CNA Report Warns that Climate Change Raises Risk of Arctic Conflict

A report from the CNA Corporation Military Advisory Board published last week warns that climate change is increasingly creating threats to US national security, to include the risk of potential conflict in the Arctic (NYTimes). The board, which comprises 16 retired generals and admirals, warns that while prospects for near-term conflict in the region are fairly low, “future disputes cannot be ruled out” (EOTA). According to General Paul Kern, chairman of the military advisory board, “‘things are accelerating in the Arctic faster than we had looked at…[and] the changes there appear to be much more radical than we envisaged.’” The report warns that an ice-free Arctic risks creating “a scramble for shipping lanes by Russia and China especially, and for access to oil and other resources” (The Guardian). Meanwhile, in a speech at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Secretary of Defense Hagel warned that “the melting of gigantic ice caps presents possibilities for the opening of new sea lanes and the exploration for natural resources, energy and commerce, also with the dangerous potential for conflict in the Arctic” (DoD).

USCG Plans for Summer Operations in Arctic

The US Coast Guard is planning to conduct operations in the Arctic this summer from July-October. The summer operations’ four main objectives are “to seasonally perform select Coast Guard missions and activities in the Arctic…to advance Arctic maritime domain awareness through operations, intelligence and partnerships…to improve preparedness and response capabilities…[and] to test capabilities and refine Arctic resource requirements” (AS). As there is no drilling planned by Shell this summer, 17th District Arctic Planner James Robinson indicated that “the Coast Guard would likely split resources between the North Slope and Western Alaska, working to advance logistical knowledge for future operations” (AJ).

Canada

Fednav brings new icebreaker to the Canadian Arctic (canadiansailings.ca).

NDHQ Officials, Army and Strategic Joint Staff Officers Fought Against Public Release of Controversial Letter Written by Lt.-Gen. Marquis Hainse (OC).

The F-15 Silent Eagle as Canada’s Next Fighter (OC).

Russia

Powering Russian Arctic outposts (BO).

United States

Advanced radar for drones arrives in Kennai (FNM).

Decommissioned Army planes headed for Alaska – then maybe back Outside (AD).

Europe

Sweden and Finland in joint defense exercise (EOTA).

The UK has released its National Strategy for Maritime Security.

New Svalbard vessel heads north (BO).

MINING

Canadian mining helping Northern economy

An Ernst and Young report expects mining in Canada to grow, as large mines optimize, investments are obtained, and smaller companies consolidate this year (CMJ). Similarly, the Conference Board of Canada has concluded that the Northwest Territories have a positive economic outlook, and that mining industry development has greatly contributed to this trend (CMJ).

Australian uranium mining in Greenland is tearing the country in half (The Guardian).

Kiruna: How to move a town two miles east (BBC News).

Mining town Kiruna preparing to move (BO).

Alexco works toward ‘go’ decision at Keno Hill operations (PN).

Weekly Online News – Nunavut (PN).

Weekly Online News - Yukon Territory (PN).

DIAMONDS: Feasibility study puts Gahcho Kué NPV at over $1B (CMJ).

Nunauvut: Chinese company takes a lead role in the Roche Bay mining project (AD).

Call for Papers. Barents Institute presents Mining in the Arctic: Sustainable communities, economies and governance? (U Arctic).

FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS

China in the Arctic

China’s involvement in the Arctic made it into the news again this week. Bloomberg reports that if the political situation in Crimea deteriorates and European banks withdraw from the project, Chinese lenders may increase their funding for the Yamal LNG venture. The project’s commercial operation to export liquefied natural gas from Russia’s Arctic is planned for 2017, but might be delayed because of the crisis in Ukraine (Bloomberg). Further west, Chinese real estate tycoon Huang Nubo announced his offer to buy a large area in the Norwegian archipelago Svalbard to build a holiday village. However, apparently he wasn’t well informed about the islands’ climate and that “there was so much ice there” (Yahoo).

Fisheries

Russian Barents Sea fish gets MSC certification (BO).

Agreement on aquaculture in Russian border area (BO).

Mackerel mavericks (Iceland & Greenland) (AJ).

Amid ‘first fish’ fanfare, a Copper River salmon meal with a mission (AD).

Shipping

Could isolationist North Korea become key player on Northern Sea Route? (AD)

Other business and economic news

Registration under way for (Alaska) business week. Deadline: May 30 (NM).

Putin’s Petersburg Forum ‘Business as Usual’ for Total, CEO Says (Bloomberg).

Branding Barents, tour operators team up (BO).

Nenets salaries boost by 1650 % (BO).

Russian Tourism in Finland falls 14 percent (EOTA).

Icelandair opens skies between YVR, Iceland & Beyond (AJ).

HEALTH, EDUCATION, SOCIETY AND CULTURE

Report shows high death rates in aboriginal females

An RCMP report shows a high number of cases of murdered and missing aboriginal women, yet RCMP claims they do not have the authority to launch an inquiry into this trend (CBC Radio Canada). An aboriginal female felt that RCMP discriminated against her and dismissed her concerns about her safety in this CBC Radio Canada article.

Health

Life expectancy in Canada hits 80 for men, 84 for women (CBC Radio Canada).

Hacking for better health (YN).

3,000 turn out for Fairbanks Heart Walk (FNM).

Education

Job in jeopardy, Fairbanks schools chief seeks arbitration (AD).

Alaska leaders should inflation-proof state education funding (AD).

Youth program tunes in on Nunavik’s musical talent (NN).

Society

How an innovative army of researchers helped Northern Canadians grow fresh fruits and veggies (Financial Post).

Arctic sea ice extent below average for April - Extent still greater than record low in 2007 (NN).

Blog: Reindeer migration (by boat!) in Arctic Norway (VIDEO) (Eye on the Arctic).

N.W.T. and Yukon campgrounds open for the season (CBC Radio Canada).

INTERVIEW: CBC NORTH VIDEO JOURNALIST BASED IN IQALUIT FINDS HOME IN THE ARCTIC (Cryopolitics; also published in Eye on the Arctic).

Mr. Pink clashes with red tape (BO).

Nunavut poverty coalition issues challenge to parents, communities (NN).

TRC will get more information: Pasloski (YN).

Culture

Rook to Nuuk. Check, mates (The Arctic Journal).

Illegal hunt nets criminal fine for Canadian reality-TV show creator (AD).

Alaskan Inupiat group develops video game (CBC Radio Canada).

Web doc sheds light on Inuit relocation in Arctic Canada (Eye on the Arctic).

Tanya Tagaq’s new album captures the spirit of good and evil (NN).

The incredible, unconventional legacy of Farley Mowat (National Post).

INFRASTRUCTURE

Mining Road to Copper Deposit in Alaska Considered

Officials are considering a proposal to build a 220-mile road to a copper deposit – believed to hold up to 10 billion pounds of copper – in the Northwest Arctic Borough. The proposed Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Road (AMDIAR) would require “construction of 15 long bridges over waterways in some of the state’s most remote wilderness,” and could take years to complete. Construction – if it occurs – is unlikely to start for years, with some USD 8.5 million currently set aside for an environmental impact study. Already, the proposed road has garnered criticism, with an online petition against it receiving over 1,600 signatures (KTOO and KTUU).

Europe

Polar explorers’ telegraph station back in service in high Arctic (FirstPost).

SPORTS

Canada

Dawson Knights win silver at westerns (YN).

N.W.T.’s Michael Gilday named to national speedskating team (CBC).

United States

Adventurers undertake human-powered trek from Mount Iliamna to downtown Anchorage (AD).

IMAGES AND VIDEO

On Flickr this week, be sure to check out The Ice Receding, The Edge, and A Creek Runs Through It (all by Mikofox), a beaver swimming in the Yukon River by Auliv Jus, and Michelle by Clare Kines. Also check out this cool “wind wave” captured by Shane Larson at Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge.

For videos this week, we’d like to suggest “The World Beyond the World,” shot in the Arctic National Park and Preserve in 2013 (AD), as well as a short and sunny video we found that romanticizes “Summer in Greenland” (vimeo).

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)

The Arctic Journal (AJ)

Barents Nova (BN)

Barents Observer (BO)

Bristol Bay Times (BBT)

BusinessWeek (BW)

CBC Radio Canada (CBC)

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)

The Arctic This Week: 17 February - 24 February, 2014

The Arctic This Week: 24 February – 3 March, 2014

Arctic Dialogue 2014 - Interview with Willy Østreng

From Seal Ban to Svalbard - The European Parliament Engages in Arctic Matters

The Arctic This Week: 3 March – 10 March, 2014

Arctic Dialogue 2014 - Interview with Michael Byers

A New Model for International Cooperation

To Svalbard and Beyond – The European Parliament is Back on its Arctic Track

The Arctic This Week: 10 March - 17 March, 2014

Arctic Dialogue 2014 - Interview with Captain Jonathan Spaner

The Arctic This Week: 24 March -31 March, 2014

Arctic Dialogue 2014 - Interview with Joël Plouffe

The Arctic This Week: 31 March – 7 April, 2014

Arctic Dialogue 2014 - Interview with Shella Biallas

The Arctic This Week: 14 – 21 April, 2014

Ukraine Crisis and the Arctic: Penalties or Reconciliation?

The Arctic This Week: 21 – 28 April, 2014

The Arctic This Week: April 29 – May 5, 2014

The Arctic This Week: May 6th -12th, 2014

The Arctic This Week: May 12 – May 19, 2014