The Arctic This Week July 8 - July 14, 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 (although it happens to be missing the Energy section this week). 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. READS OF THE WEEK In political reads this week we have an interesting pair of articles. “Polar bearings” from media giant The Economist is noteworthy for its pithy pun and admirable absence of competitive “to the Arctic or bust” language (although its contents may be less-than-noteworthy for Arctic buffs). Moving from the global to the local (or at least a local paper), “Valcourt picks the lose-lose option” criticizes Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt’s stance on seismic testing and suggests that the Canadian government has “poisoned” its relationship with high Arctic communities. If you have 25 minutes to spare, watch this video report by Ann Curry on the changing culture and way of life for Inuit hunters in Greenland, which includes some truly beautiful footage (NBC). In other societal reads, this interesting opinion piece in Alaska Dispatch argues that Alaska’s oil industry is in decline, suggesting that its oil can be transformed into a different kind of wealth in the form of improved social and cultural institutions. Finally, this New York Times piece details how Svalbard’s nearly crime-free status is due to unemployment being “in effect illegal,” according to its governor, providing an engaging insight into the archipelago’s unique cultural, societal and demographic trends. National Journal provides a good overview of the current state of U.S. icebreaking capabilities, as well where the current procurement process stands. With US icebreaking capabilities slowly reaching the end of their operational lifetimes – potentially as soon as 2020 – legislation funding USCG spending passed a vote in the House, but the “Senate version, which include funding for reactivating Polar Sea, remains in committee.” A ground-breaking ceremony was held for construction on a new USD 300 million airport in Iqaluit. The project, however, is not without its skeptics, with the company responsible for providing asphalt having been accused of corruption (CBC). Cruise ships landing in Greenland have reportedly hired ignorant and uninformed guides instead of local ones and failed to coordinate with Greenlandic merchants, which The Arctic Journal describes as a missed opportunity for the Greenland tourism industry (AJ). The bear hunt quota is being disputed both in Greenland and in Sweden. In southern Greenland, it is argued that the increasing number of polar bears and the resulting encounters with humans should lead to quota increases (AJ). In northern Sweden, Sami reindeer herders are also concerned about low quotas, as bears have reportedly attacked reindeer calves and they believe the bear population in Sweden has not declined (AD). THE POLITICAL SCENE Canada announces first Arctic Economic Council meeting It’s officially on the books! Last week, Ottawa announced (see the press release and video here) that the initial meeting of the Arctic Economic Council will be held in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada on September 2-3, 2014 (EOTA). Described by Nunatsiaq News as “the centerpiece of Canada’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council,” the AEC is directed at fostering sustainable development and will feature three representatives from each of the Council’s member states and indigenous permanent participant organizations (Alaska State Legislature). International China and the Arctic: Polar bearings (The Economist). FTA with China makes Iceland more attractive to foreign investments (Shanghai Daily). Canada Nunavut hosted the annual Western Premiers Conference on July 9-10, although only four of the region’s seven premiers reportedly attended the meeting in person (G&M, NN). United States Senate Democrat’s reelection pitch to Alaskans: I’m a thorn in Obama’s side (Washington Post). ENERGY Canada’s National Energy Board considers Arctic spill response plan Canada’s National Energy Board has decided to review proposals from Imperial Oil and Chevron to drill in the Beaufort Sea (Calgary Herald). At issue are both companies’ oil spill contingency response plans, and specifically the requirement for a same season blowout relief well capability. Following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, the NEB reviewed its Arctic drilling policies and determined that any Arctic drilling program should have the capability to drill a relief well in the same drilling season in the event of a blowout. The companies have argued that this requirement is not feasible in the remote Arctic environment but have proposed other contingency options which they claim are just as effective (Beacon News). The NEB has agreed to review the proposals and determine if they meet the intended outcome of the relief well policy (G&M). Greenland Canada Arctic LNG tankers to sail a rapidly melting north (Vancouver Observer). Ottawa hosts third session of Task Force on Arctic Marine Oil Pollution Prevention (Arctic Council). BC’s LNG list grows (PN). Alaska While both sides argue about the wisdom of a fast approaching ballot initiative to repeal Gov. Sean Parnell’s recent oil tax reforms, the editorial page of the Fairbanks Daily News Miner addresses the elephant in the room: the need for Alaska to diversify its economy away from dependence on fossil fuels. FNG seeks rate hike (PN). Norway Russia Canada Energy, security and the Arctic (OpenCanada). SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE Boost of polar bear research The US Geological Survey tested whether satellites can be used to observe, count and track polar bears, concluding that the estimates using satellites largely correspond to the aerial survey data (PLOS). After further testing on larger areas, this non-invasive method could replace more traditional methods of data collection, such as using low-flying aircraft or tagging the bears, which disturbs the animals (USGS). However, using satellite imagery might have one caveat: polar bear cubs could be too small to be detected by the available resolution (AD). In a joint venture between Rosneft and ExxonMobil, the “Arctic Scientific and Project Centre” signed an agreement with the Russian Council on Marine Mammals to carry out research in areas of potential hydrocarbon development projects (VOR). The major part of the studies is scheduled for this summer season, during an expedition to the high Arctic between July and October. The focus is on polar bears, which will be tracked using GPS collars. In addition, biological specimens will be collected for DNA analysis and to examine levels of pollutants (AJ). UNEP Year eBook 2014 Update - Rapid Change in the Arctic The 2014 update of the UNEP Year eBook was published, focusing on rapid change in the Arctic, recent developments and adaptation measures (GRIDA). Climate and cryology Op-Ed: The Arctic's huge store of methane gas: 'Ticking time-bomb?' (Digital Journal) Like watching ice melt (AJ). 10 indicators of a warming world (Climate Reality). Flora and fauna Arctic changes upset birds' breeding calendar (Daily Climate). Expeditions & research blogs Chinese icebreaker heads for the 6th Arctic expedition (Shanghai Daily). Miscellaneous Swimming, climbing robots explore the hostile Arctic (New Scientist). MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE Russian Air Force increases operational tempo in region Russia’s Eastern Military District has reported that Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bombers have “‘tripled their flying rates this year’” over the Arctic (RIAN). The uptick is being felt by others in the region, with Sweden reporting that its fighters are having to intercept Russian planes at an increasing pace. According to Major General Miceal Bydén, Swedish fighters are being forced to fly some fifty percent more compared to just two years ago (EOTA). Europe United States Senators Quiz Special Operations Command, Northcom Nominees on Budget Issues (National Defense Magazine). Canada MINING Canadian diamond legend sells last stake Canada’s Ekati mine started the “Arctic diamond rush” in the 1990s, and the geologist who founded Ekati, Charles “Chuck” Fipke, is selling his remaining 10% stake in the mine (Mining.com). Fipke sold his 10% for CAN 67 million to Dominion Diamond Corp last Wednesday (The Globe and Mail). He claims the sale will allow him to focus on prospecting for new mines, which he plans to do despite being in his late 60s, and focus on philanthropic work (Financial Post). The North Finland regional administration announced this week that the Kevitsa mine is cleared to excavate over 10 million tons each year, making it the largest in Finland (Eye on the Arctic). FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS Fisheries Shipping Can the Arctic Reshape Global LNG Shipping? (Oil Price) Arctic LNG tankers to sail a rapidly melting north (Vancouver Observer). Other business and economic news HEALTH, EDUCATION, SOCIETY AND CULTURE Northwest Territories fires continue to wreak havoc on locals As this continues to be one of the worst years in history for forest fires in the NWT, an increasing number of locals are impacted, recently including an evacuation of guests from Plummer’s Lodge on Great Slave Lake (CBC News Radio-Canada). Currently, at least 130 forest fires are burning in the NWT, and they have caused the evacuation of entire towns, highways and parks to close, as well as the destruction of personal property (CBC News Radio-Canada). Local authorities are running low on sprinklers and are beleaguered with the large number of fires, necessitating Whitehorse, Yukon firefighters to fly out and lend a hand (CBC News Radio-Canada). Food shortage in Labrador in critical condition Even in difficult to access areas such as Labrador’s remote communities, officials and people are outraged at the lack of food in Labrador over the past several weeks, which has left grocery shelves bare and families without food (HP). When a major cargo ship that delivers food to the local grocery stores was damaged, no alternatives for delivery exist, leaving these communities with no food supply and many feeling neglected by the Canadian government and frustrated by its lack of adequate response (CBC News Radio-Canada). Health Doctors are concerned with the appearance of ticks in Finland’s Arctic Lapland region, arguing that global warming has made this a more hospitable climate for potentially disease-bearing ticks (AD). Education A case against a Nunavut school for the blind for suspected abuse of a boy continues to move at an “extremely slow pace,” despite a Nunavut organization asking Ontario for an inquiry twice (NN). Society Follow the journey of two photographers as they travel from Qaanaaq, Greenland, down the 70 degree longitude line to Antarctica, documenting how traditional ways of life are at risk in their project “70 Degrees West” (HP). A report argues that the decision to award six B.C. First Nations land outside their reserves will stunt Canadian economic growth by creating uncertainty around natural resource projects (CMJ). French man hopes to complete 7,000-km Northwest Passage trip (CBC News Radio-Canada). Opinion: Canister of bear spray is best bet for Alaska backcountry runners (Eye on the Arctic). OECD ‘concerned’ over high suicide rates in Finland (Eye on the Arctic). `Don’t feed wild boars,’ says Swedish report (Eye on the Arctic). Culture For 700 Muslims in Kiruna, Sweden, fasting for Ramadan proves challenging, as 24 hour sunlight creates a dilemma over when to start and end their fast (Nigerian Tribune). INFRASTRUCTURE United States SPORTS Arctic snorkeling expedition underway A team of ten women have kicked off a two-week snorkeling expedition from Nain to Greenland, with an eye towards an even longer such trip – one that would traverse the entire 3000 km of the Northwest Passage – in 2016 (Telegram). The team comprises scientists, filmmakers, and diving professionals, and will both study underwater life as well as engage local communities over the course of the expedition (CBC). United States Canada 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) |