The Arctic This Week June 24 - June 30, 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 find the PDF version 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. |  courtesy of Mads Phil |
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: 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 usingthis submission form. The list will be updated weekly and a link to the list will be provided each week in TATW. TAI’s RECENT ACTIVITIES TAI’s Andreas Raspotnik wrote a short op-ed for Carnegie Europe answering the question if the EU should worry about the Arctic. Other commentators include Alyson Bailes and Heather Conley. TAI also announced a new collaboration with the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association in relation to the upcoming Arctic Business 2014 Conference in Bodø, Norway, on 8-10 October 2014. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks! READS OF THE WEEK While the staff of TATW took last week off, it appears most other Arctic aficionados did not (High North Newswent American and the Arctic Council launched itsFacebook presence for Pete’s sake!), so bear with us this week if our must-reads list is unusually long. In political reads, for example, we couldn’t decide between the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ panel discussion onthe Future of Arctic Cooperation, the newly-published bookInternational Relations and the Arctic, and Foreign Affairs’ piece“Arctic Summer: Who Should Benefit From Global Warming?” We’ll let you choose which to check out. In energy reads, your time will be well spent readingMia Bennett’s recent article from her site Cryopolitics that looks into the details of the recent deal between Gazprom and the China National Petroleum Corporation for 38 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year beginning in 2018. Bennett explores the implications the deal may, and may not, have for the Russian and North American Arctic. Bennet also wrote a new piece onThe Port of Hamburg and the Northern Sea Route which is equally worthy of a read. An article in theInternational Business Times also examines how – somewhat ironically – the effects of climate change are threatening logistical problems for the oil and gas industry as “climate-related events and weather changes could not only cost companies and governments billions of dollars in infrastructure and operational damages, they could also create widespread disruption in the production and delivery of critical energy resources.” In societal news, the flagship MIKON program at the Fram Centre in Tromso, which was featured at this year’s Arctic Frontiers conference, is seeking to use both environmental and social scientific research to determine the impact of Arctic development on economic activity and regional societies such as the Sami (BO). Additionally, this interesting historical overview of Vorkuta, a Russian city in the northern Komi Republic, chronicles the development of the region from its original nomadic Komi inhabitants through its grim period as a Soviet Union penal colony to the more recent era of prosperity due to mining (Russia Beyond the Headlines). Finally, the Sustainable Community Initiative on the north coast of Labrador completed a housing assessment and claims to be on the brink of making huge, beneficial changes based on this research to address both the housing crisis and integration of at risk youth in the North (The Compass). This week, two longer mining articles stand out as interesting must-reads. This usefulMining News piece about the inaugural Northern Regions Mining Summit in Vancouver, where 150 participants gathered to discuss mining in Canada’s Northwest Territories, Alaska, and Greenland, gives a great overview and detailed look at the common challenges to mineral development in the Arctic. Another piece argues that the Mary River iron project indicates strong prospects for mining activity across the eastern region and Baffin Island, giving a great background to the project as well as an overall picture of mining prospects in this area (PN). Scientific American this week presented two “Arctic creepy-crawlies”: the ice worms and woolly bear caterpillars. While both species live in the cold Arctic, their organisms deal very differently with the extreme environment. The ice worms, which are found exclusively in North America, specialize on the life inside glaciers and don’t survive temperatures above 5°C. They come to the surface in the morning and in the evening to feed on snow algae (SA). The caterpillars, on the other hand, become dormant during the winter and can also deal with warmer temperatures. In June only, they feed on Arctic tundra and build up biomass. Because they are only active and developing during a short period every year, it can take up to 14 years until they become a moth (SA)! China will release a guidebook on Arctic shipping for Chinese cargo ships in July. The guide will provide a comprehensive overview of “practical and authoritative” information, including the Northern Sea Route’s nautical chart, sailing methods, Arctic geography and climate and the legal regulations of the countries along the route (BO). In military-related reads,Business Insider reports that comments made by Lt. Gen Morten Haga Lunde – a Norwegian three-star – indicate that the country is increasingly concerned with Russian – and Chinese – designs on the Arctic and wants NATO to expand and enhance its operational capabilities in the region. In celebration of the ongoing World Cup,Arctic Journal sizes up the football (soccer) scene in Greenland, and some of the unique challenges of playing the beautiful game at the top of the world. THE POLITICAL SCENE All about the Arctic Council Last week, Leona Aglukkaq announced that Vincent Rigby would replace Patrick Borbey as Chair of the Arctic Council’s Senior Arctic Officials effective July 2nd (NN). Last week, Harper announced that Borbey is becoming Canadian Heritage’s new associate deputy minister (AJ). Eilís Quinn explores the first year of Canada’s Arctic Council chairmanship in a piece inEye on the Arctic, arguing “there’s been little done by Canada to counter this disconnect between its priorities and how it relates to northern regions outside of Canada.”The Arctic Journal also focused on the Arctic Council last week, featuring a piece on Arctic Council director Magnus Johannesson (and if you read the article, make sure not to miss TATW creator Tom Fries, who appears to the left of Johannesson in the photo!) International China's Next Nine Dotted Line (Maritime Executive). GreenScare 2.0 - campaigners under fire in the new Cold War (The Ecologist). United States An assortment of articles on Alaskan politics were published this week, including acandidate profile on Mead Treadwell in Alaska Dispatch, an article on Begich’s “tough reelection challenge” inThe Hill, and a feature in theNew York Times on the importance of rural Alaska Native voters for Alaskan Democrats. In elections news, former North Pole senator Mike Miller pulled out of the running in a state senatorial race against incumbent Click Bishop (FNM), and the three Republicans vying for Alaska’s US senate seat held a public debate last week (FNM). Business at Odds With Obama over Russia Sanctions Threat (Business Week). Canada A landmark Supreme Court decision on Thursday ended a decades-long battle for British Columbia’s Tsilhqot'in First Nation (CBC). In a unanimous “game-changer” ruling, the First Nation was granted title to an area of nearly 2,000 square-kilometers outside its reserve traditionally used by the Tsilhqot'in Nation (CBC). A colder Cold War: Nationalism and the North (iPolitics). Canada Is Warming At Twice The Global Average And We Still Don't Have A National Plan (The Huffington Post). Baird to Travel to Europe for Talks on Security and Prosperity (Gov’t of Canada). Russia Russia’s Energy Ambitions Explain Putin’s Zigzags on Ukraine (World Politics Review). Europe & the Nordics Judy Asks: Should the EU Worry About the Arctic? (Carnegie Europe). ENERGY Inhis article for Forbes this week, Gaurav Sharma reports from the World Petroleum Congress on the seeming inevitability of Arctic oil and gas exploration, at least as trumpeted by industry representatives at the congress. Disappointments continue for Statoil Statoil encountered another setback in its quest to discover more and larger oil and gas finds in the Barents Sea and to improve the economic feasibility of developing the region’s energy resources. Statoil announced it drilled another dry well in the Barents, this one 350 kilometers north of Hammerfest (BO). TheArctic Journal looks at some other setbacks that have befallen Barents Sea exploration of late, including disputes with Greenpeace and the departure of foreign lease-holders. Canada approves Baffin Island seismic plan over local opposition Members of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association are expressing their surprise and disappointment regarding a recent decision by Canada’s National Energy Board that cleared the way for seismic testing in the waters off the east coast of Baffin Island, despite widespread opposition from the nearby Inuit communities (MetroNews,Yahoo). In fact, the mayors of five communities, the regional Inuit organization, and Nunavut’s environmental review board opposed the exploration plan (The Telegram). Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt, however, supports the program and expressed his belief that the work will benefit local communities (NN). Norway TheBarents Observer looks at Norway’s recent NOK 3 million investment to bolster the security and safety of Serebryanka, a Russian vessel that transports decommissioned nuclear material in the Barents Region. Never mind that the Italians spent EUR 70 million building a new vessel to replace the aging Serebryanka which is now sitting in harbor in Murmansk, unused. Alaska Small prospecting company, Rampart Energy, is looking to drill several wells in a new field on the North Slope by 2016 (AD). Meanwhile, ConocoPhillips is continuing work on another North Slope field in spite of a lawsuit brought by residents of a local village aiming to stop work at the site (AJC). In other Alaska oil patch news, the US House of Representatives passed the “Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an American that Works Act” which would open the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska for oil and gas drilling (KDLG). The bill has little chance in the Senate. Russia It doesn’t appear that sanctions against Russia have cast a chill over that country’s energy sector. Even as the EU contemplates more sanctions against Russia, BP inked a USD 2 billion deal with Rosneft this week (The Wire). For more on Russia’s political maneuvering around its energy exports, seethis article from Fortune. Russian Arctic: A new promised land for oil giants (The Peninsula). Russian Arctic's potential draws oil giants (Rakyat Post). ONGC eyeing a greater role in transnational pipeline project (Hindu Business Line). Rosneft faces Kara Sea exit call (Upstream). Canada Canada Considering Relaxing Offshore Relief Well Requirement (Natural Gas Intel). SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE Climate and cryology Plastic tide 'causing $13 bn in damage': UN (Dunya News). Ice sheets may have already passed point of no return (New Scientist). Flora and fauna Arctic cod inspires frozen blood storage (Lab Mate). Birds That Use Quantum Mechanics to Migrate (Guardian). Can Montana’s Arctic grayling hang on? (Billings Gazette) Four Arctic wolf cubs nursed back to health: WITH VIDEO (Montreal Gazette). Expeditions & research blogs UWSP student sets off for Siberian excursion (Stevens Point Journal). University of Alaska-operated Arctic research vessel (Daily Journal). Miscellaneous MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE Small step forward in US funding for Arctic platforms The Senate Appropriations Committee has earmarked some USD 8 million in FY15 to go towards refitted the USCG’s heavy icebreaker Polar Sea (Allvoices.com). Polar Sea has been in commissioned, inactive status since 2010 after experiencing severe engine malfunction. However, the move is not without precedent: the Polar Star spent six years in caretaker status before being reactivated in 2012, and is currently the USCG’s only heavy icebreaker. Meanwhile, a bill currently in the US Senate has USD 6 million worth of funding for a new USCG icebreaker (EOTA). Given the costs associated, sustained funding of USD 6 million per year should produce a new icebreaker in slightly over 160 years; for now, the goal seems to be to keep attention focused on the region and on the USCG’s needs. Icebreakers aside, the USCG and USN have been working to replace radar components on Kodiak Island that have outlived their service life (military.com). Canada ponders future of missile defense A bipartisan Parliamentary committee has unanimously recommended that Canada participate in a planned US missile defense shield (G&M). While there has been strong opposition to Canadian participation in the program, Steven Harper is still considering Canada’s role (The Star,G&M). The Harper government has also been taking heat from opponents who argue that his adminitration has made something of a mess of procurement, causing budgetary overruns (G&M). Unsurprisingly, Georgiy Mamedov – Russia’s ambassador to Canada – has come out strongly against Canadian participation in any missile defense system (Macleans). Mixed bag for Russian missile tests Russia successfully carried out tests on six new precision-strike cruise missiles (Free Beacon andWashington Times). However, the planned launch of the Angara-1.2PP – the first Russian space rocket since the Soviet era – was postponed due to technical issues (HNGN andBusiness Insider). Europe Europe Needs to Get Serious about Its Defense (National Interest). EU moves forward on maritime strategy (Jane’s). Thirty Countries Represented at Mass Rescue Conference (Maritime Executive). Navy veteran finally gets the hero’s medal he deserves (The Journal). Russia Russia’s nuclear icebreaking fleet gets training on handling nuclear emergency information (Bellona). United States Canada MINING New Alrosa diamond mine, Udachny, to be Russia’s largest The state-owned Alrosa Diamond Company is planning to turn Udachy, an area in northern Siberia, into a large-scale diamond mine (The Israeli Diamond Industry). Already, Alrosa is the global leader in diamond extraction, with an estimated share of 28% of extraction, and the projected capacity of the Udachny field over the next 60 years and proven reserves of 159 million tons will only increase that share (Russia Beyond the Headlines,Mining.com). Indonesian ban on nickel exports causes price increase Indonesia, which currently supplies 20% of the global nickel market, has banned exports of nickel, thereby causing a sharp increase in nickel prices around the world and prompting a rebound as demand continues to increase (WSJ). As North American Nickel’s stock increased due to this ban and price increase, the company announced they are beginning drilling in their Maniitsoq nickel-copper-PGM sulphide project in southwest Greenland (Geology for Investors;Mining Weekly). The United Nations is pressing Norway to close its coal mines in Svalbard, arguing that their continued operation counteracts and clashes with Norway’s prominent role in climate change research and support for environmental protection, sustainable energy and green technology (Mining Global). In other mining news, Alaska’s natural gas is increasingly being used for mining projects and mines across the state, replacing diesel and creating new investment opportunities for a cross-state gas pipeline and LNG expansion (PN). So, what's happening with mining on Range? (Mesabi Daily News). FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS Fisheries MSP raises concerns over Faroese herring quota (Fish Update). Canadian Recreational Fisheries: 35 Years of Social, Biological, and Economic Dynamics from a National Survey (Fisheries). Shipping Tourism Russia river cruise guide (Telegraph). The Arctic: Trip of a Lifetime (Telegraph). Other business and economic news Cross-border trade tumbles (Russia – Finland) (BO). Putin Urges Openess in Arctic Economic Activities (Marine Link). China's Arctic Ambitions Fuel Yuan Diplomacy (Defense News). HEALTH, EDUCATION, SOCIETY AND CULTURE Franklin expedition search to continue for sixth summer in seven years This is the sixth summer that the Canadian government has decided to continue its search for the Franklin expedition ships, which sank in 1845 while searching for the Northwest Passage (Digital Journal). The search this summer will include four ships, as well as an autonomous underwater vehicle, whichCBC notes is similar to the one used to try and find the missing Malaysian flight 370. Aboriginal eco-tour group wins travel’s biggest prize Arviat Community Ecotourism, a small, two-year-old local eco-tourist group in Nunavut, won the prestigious Tourism for Tomorrow Community Award due to its unique business model, which combines wildlife and local cultural experiences in a sustainable and mutually beneficial way (G&M). Walt Parker passed away at 87 Walt Parker, notable public figure and longtime transportation and resources advisor for the State of Alaska, passed away this week at 87 (AD). His long career has shaped both Alaska and the wider Arctic, having served as chairman of the Alaska Oil Spill Commission charged with investigating the Exxon Valdez spill, as well as being a highly demanded consultant around the world (ADN). Society This opinion piece gives a great overview of the facts, pros, and cons of the Yukon government’s plan to subsidize the construction of over 100 new rental units, and argues that this is a classic economic case study (YN). A five-summer-old archaeology project in the forests of Finland seeks to survey 4 million hectares of land for evidence of early settlements, with their oldest discovery so far dating back to the Stone Age (AD)! South of the Manitoba-Nunavut border, archaeologists are heading to excavation sites this weekend in hopes of finding evidence of the lives of the Thule, an ancient Inuit group believed to have lived there 1,000 years ago (Global Post). OPINION: Governor's response to sexual assault charges in Alaska National Guard inadequate (The Arctic Sounder). Culture Don’t read this if you’re hungry! This insider’s look at the Scandinavian “food trail” highlights some cultural and culinary delights in Denmark and Sweden (The Hindu). TNTs ‘The Last Ship’ Debuts With Stellar Ratings – Review (Guardian Liberty Voice). Reading the north (ADN). 36 Hours in Stockholm (NYT). INFRASTRUCTURE United States Russia SPORTS Canada Europe Sweden: Arctic hockey team to wear rainbow jerseys all season in support of LGBT rights in sport (AD). IMAGES AND VIDEO This week was fabulous on flickr. Check out"Between the Icebergs" by Gaaba Jensen,“Dew Drop In” by Paul Aningat,“Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon” by Michael Haupt, a beautiful shot ofCape Flora, Northbrook Island by Ekaterina Chistikova via the Arctic Council, and“Arctic Tern” and“Now, where did I put those eggs…” by Frode Abrahamsen. On twitter, check out these Arctic-related shots fromSilversea,super_collider,laurenfarmer, andthis one andthis one by ElliottNeep. International Arctic Change 2014 Photo Contest (Polar Photography). 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) |