The Arctic This Week December 8 - 14, 2014  courtesy: Mads Pihl |
THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES Denmark submits North Pole claim Denmark has formally submitted a claim to the UN for the area around the North Pole, challenging similar claims by Canada and Russia. The Danish claim is based off of data Denmark argues shows the Lomonosov Ridge is an extension of Greenland’s continental shelf, and covers some 895,000 square kilometers – an area approximately 20 times the size of Denmark. The claim, according to Danish academics, is meant to signal “that Denmark could not be pushed about, but also prove a political point to the people of Greenland” that Danish policy represents their interests, as any natural resources under the claim will fall under the jurisdiction of Nuuk rather than Copenhagen (BBC). According toArctic Journal, the claim is far larger than expected, and actually extends past the North Pole all the way to Russia’s maritime border, though Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has expressed confidence that Russia’s claims have a greater chance of success than competing ones (Arctic-Info.com). Dropping oil prices imperil Alaska’s state budgets With oil prices hovering around USD 60 a barrel, the state of Alaska is beginning to assess the damage prolonged depressed oil prices will have on its budget. The state is projecting a one-year decline in oil revenues this year of USD 2.7 billion, leaving the state with a whopping USD 3.5 billion dollar deficit (The Hill). Legislators are mulling over tweaking the state’s recently revised hydrocarbons law to squeeze out more revenue, but that is unlikely to provide much relief with prices so low (EOTA). The state does have some cushioning from the impact with USD 12 billion in savings that the legislature can draw on to balance the budget. The state’s Permanent Fund made record profits last year, though skimming off of these profits, which feed yearly dividends to the state’s residents, is probably politically impossible (ADN). To add to the challenges, Alaska’s oil production will continue to decline over the next decade according to new projections from the state’s revenue department (ADN). And Alaska isn’t alone. Oil producing states from Texas to North Dakota are tightening belts and preparing for a lean year ahead (FNM). The extinction of the Arctic penguins It is rather well known that there are no penguins in the Arctic. What is not so well known is the cause of the extinction of the Arctic species known as the Great auk, the Pinguinus impennis. Carlos Duarte links its extinction, only a short 170 years ago, to human stupidity. The birds were hunted, their eggs poached and, most tragically, their last specimens sought after by collectors and museums. The exact same thing still happens today, resulting in the same tragic phenomenon: the unnecessary extinction of species due to human ignorance (The Conversation). Youth sex-education project wins the million-dollar prize FOXY, or Fostering Open eXpression among Youth, is a novel sexual health and leadership education program for young women in the Northwest Territories, which uses a network of peers and innovative forms of expression, such as art, theater and music, to teach young women about sexual health (The Arctic Journal). The group, which was founded in 2012, was awarded the Arctic Inspiration Prize for their work this week, which comes with a CAN 1 million check and strives to recognize people who have made a significant contribution to improving Northern Canadian peoples’ lives (NN). The group, based in Yellowknife, hopes to use the money to expand the program to include young men, and span all three northern territories (CBC). ArcticNet conference held in Ottawa, 8 – 12 December From December 8 to 12, Ottawa, Canada, hostedArctic Change 2014, a scientific conference organized by ArcticNet Network of Centres of Excellence. Some of the key messages include the importance of traditional Inuit knowledge – “The stories is the data” (NN) and of taking the time to invest in the communities sharing their knowledge (NN). By contrast, expectations of an economic boom or “gold rush” due to the warming Arctic seem to have been “put on ice”. According to Malte Humpert, Executive Director of The Arctic Institute, commercial interest in the region has cooled off and has to be put into global context (DW). For more interviews with other attendees of the conference, read Irene Quaile’s article onEye on the Arctic (EOTA). THE POLITICAL SCENE United States Canada Voters in Nunavut headed to the polls on 8 December to vote for NTI, regional Inuit organizations, and hamlet councils (NN). Only 1 in 3 eligible voters participated, and there were some concerns about eligibility and election rules (NN,NN). Russia Europe ENERGY Alaskan NANA Oilfield Services in violation of oil spill prevention & response rules In asettlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Alaska Native-owned NANA Oilfield Services, Inc. has agreed to pay a fine after violating federal oil spill prevention and response rules at its Deadhorse, Alaska fuel storage and distribution facility. In addition to not having submitted the required Facility Response Plan to the EPA, on-site personnel of the oil field support company were not properly trained in spill response (Alaska Native News,AD). Noble Drilling LLC pleads guilty, fined USD 12.2 million for violations in 2012 Noble Drilling LLC, the company that ran the drillship Noble Discoverer during Shell’s ill-fated 2012 Alaska drilling season plead guilty to eight felony environmental and safety offenses and will pay USD 12.2 million in fines (ADN). Offenses included faulty wastewater management and reporting and failing to report hazardous conditions to the Coast Guard (Click Green). The plea deal also included four years of corporate probation during which further charges may be levied based on additional investigations (FNM). Noble must also implement a comprehensive environmental compliance plan (ME). Facing sanctions and plunging oil prices, Moscow pledges to continue Arctic development Despite the dual headwinds of sanctions and plunging oil prices, Russia’s Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology, Sergey Donskoy, said this week that Moscow will continue to move ahead with Arctic exploration and development (PortNews). Development will likely continue as the Arctic has been identified as a priority, indeed a “fundamental national interest,” by the Kremlin, even as the costs of development increase (Bellona). As western companies such as ExxonMobil have backed out of partnerships with Russian companies in the Arctic, near partners are being sought elsewhere. The Indian state oil and gas company ONGC, for instance, has announced it will be partnering with Gazprom and Rosneft in the Arctic, (AI) while Rosneft and Gazprom are seeking to team up to advance stalled Arctic projects (NGE). Rosneft will also push ahead with seismic mapping in the Pechora Sea, another indication that the company plans to push ahead with Arctic exploration despite the challenges (EOTA). Norway Canada Alaska Russia Russia uses extortion in the Arctic as red tape prevents America from drilling in Alaska (The Conservative Wife). Finland SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE Climate 12/8/14 - Alaska Natives and Climate Change: Lack of sea ice exposes Kivalina to fierce storms (KNBA). Flora and fauna Mastodons long gone from the north (Geophysical Institute). University of Alberta researchers say Canada’s High Arctic polar bears running out of ice, food and time (Edmonton Journal). Expeditions & research blogs Face of Defense: Officer Competes for Mars Arctic 365 Program (U.S. Department of Defense). Environmental management AEA Underestimates Cost, Overestimates Need for Susitna Dam (Alaska Native News). Sealaska Lands Bill Passes Congress (Alaska Public). Science, conferences and publications Conservation leaders honored at wildlife symposium (Jackson Hole News). Funding news: Kone Foundation grants to NPE researchers(Arctic Centre). MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE Russia Russia has completed a third military base in the Arctic, this one on Alexandra Land island (Moscow Times). Meanwhile, Russia has announced that the transfer of forces to the newly-established Arctic command will be completed by mid-December (Tass). Europe United States The U.S. Navy and the Arctic (Maritime Executive). MINING Troymet Exploration Corp to end project A smaller uranium exploration project in Nunavut is calling it quits, as the firm, Troymet Exploration Corp., determined the project at Thelon Basin, northwest of Baker Lake, is not central to the company’s business as it seeks to control costs (NN). Another one bites the iron - Northland Resources bankrupt ThisArctic Journal Editor’s Briefing explains the recent decline in Arctic iron mining, chronicling the closures and financial woes of many firms in this space, most recently Northland Resources, a Swedish-based company that filed for bankruptcy this week, leaving hundreds of workers unemployed (BO). The Yukon government is seizing CAN 3 million from Veris Gold to pay for repairs that are urgently needed and that the company has neglected to address at the former Ketza River mine facility, citing legal statutes requiring mining companies to pay for closure and reclamation costs (YN). Newly elected Siumut-pawn will fight for my neighbor (In Danish, Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa). Nunavik in Canada says no to uranium (In Danish, Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa). FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS Fisheries Murkowski’s Arctic, Coastal, Fishery Priorities for Alaska in 2015 Budget (Alaska Native News). Significant changes in fishing (KNR, in Danish). The coalition will change fishing (Greenland) (KNR, in Danish). Alaska Fish Factor: Pacific Halibut Stocks On The Rise (The Fish Site). Shipping Aviation Tourism Tourism - An untaxed resource (Iceland) (AJ). Fewer hotel rooms stay empty (KNR, in Danish). Fewer cruise tourists visit Greenland (KNR, in Danish). Foodstuffs Business booming for berry growers (Peninsula Clarion). Russians drink less (BO). Other business and economic news Minimum wage increasing to $10.50 on P.E.I. (Canada) (CBC). The coalition plans to breed minks and foxes (Greenland) (KNR, in Danish). HEALTH, YOUTH, SOCIETY AND CULTURE New art exhibit now open in Ottawa The new Arctic Voices exhibit at the Canadian Museum of Nature is now open, and its developers hope to bring the Arctic to the world, fostering a better, more realistic understanding of the region beyond the typical perception of barren ice-covered terrain. It features scientific developments and research, traditional cultural elements such as throat singing, and images of the diverse environment the Arctic affords (Ottawa Citizen). Critical bill for Alaskan women clears the Senate A bill, brought by outgoing Alaskan Senator Mark Begich, seeking to remove an existing exception for Alaskan tribal courts in the Violence Against Women Act, has passed the Senate this week, hopefully empowering more women to report and combat domestic violence (EOTA). Boil water advisory in effect most of this week In Dawson City, Yukon, a boil water advisory was in effect from the 8December through 12 December following a positive result of an E. coli test in one of the town’s wells (CBC; see alsoCBC). The source of the issue was determined to be a faulty valve in the wastewater system, which caused a sewage main break at the wastewater treatment plant (CBC). Move over Rudolph, Addjub is taking center stage Addjub, a young reindeer in NWT, was trained to be around people in order to make his debut as a member of the Santa Claus parade this Sunday, stealing all the attention from the man in the big red suit (CBC). Despite concerns over his readiness to handle all the attention and noises, trainers decided to give Addjub a shot at stardom and let him try to participate in the parade. To learn more about Addjub, and for some adorable pictures of him, check out thisCBC article. Health Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, a national Inuit organization, is making Inuit-specific handouts available that encourage and explain proper dental health, which is an important effort given the high numbers of Inuit children undergoing dental surgery due to rotten baby teeth (NN). As Nunavut’s Kamatsiaqtut crisis-prevention helpline celebrates its 25th anniversary, the organization will begin operating 24 hours a day starting December 15 (NN). Youth Sweetest Kulu is an award winning illustrated children’s book written by a Nunavut throat singer that features Arctic nature and animals and is now available for purchase – just in time for the Holidays (NN). A group of young Inuit students in Ottawa have made a brief video in the Inuit language which aims to help foster a positive body image among fellow young girls (CBC). Nunavut’s education minister, speaking on a panel of experts, passionately advocated for a Canadian Arctic university for Inuit Nunangat (NN). According to a recent study in Canada, the rate of young people intentionally hurting themselves, often to cope with emotional or mental issues, has been steadily increasing over the last five years, and teachers in Yellowknife in particular are concerned with the rise of self-harm among youth (CBC). A really interesting read, this University of Alaska Anchorage professor teaches students to program their own Android apps in his innovative course, and is collaborating with students to develop educational technology to help younger students learn (AD). Foster Youth, Jail, Homeless, Education Numbers: A Call for Attention(Alaska Native News). Society Check out these photos of Santa getting a lift from the Alaskan National Guard as he delivers gifts and school supplies to children in the Inupiat Eskimo community in Shishmaref, Alaska as part of the good Samaritan program’s Operation Santa (Tucson.com). An Alaska assistant district attorney, Brian Sullivan, was shot and killed in Barrow, AK this week, and the investigation is being treated as a homicide, with one suspect in custody (EOTA). Provincial and municipal government money will allow a Montreal women’s shelter, which serves primarily homeless Inuit women, to remain open on weekends once again, with hopes that this will allow them to connect with more women in need (NN). Santa Claus for sale (In Danish; Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa). Binzer’s way (The Arctic Journal). Culture The Dakhka Khwaan Dancers, a young Yukon Tlingit dance group formed in 2007, has earned international acclaim through perseverance and hard work, and has grown from 6 members to around 90, dancing at the Olympic Games in 2010 and earning awards for authentic and innovative cultural experiences (YN). The final portion of the Greenland Eyes International Film Festival began this week in Oslo as the culmination of an almost 4 month travelling festival through the Nordic countries featuring Greenlandic films in a format that allows discussion and interaction (The Arctic Journal). Through a new downloadable app for iOS and Android, a Sami language mobile keyboard is now available to users, making typing on smartphones much more streamlined and convenient (EOTA; see alsoBO). Walt Disney’s first Christmas animation film, previously lost, was found at Norway’s National Library during a review of films stored there, and it features Oswald, a character which supposedly was commissioned to compete with Felix the Cat and other popular cartoons of the 1920s (The Star). The upcoming film, “Hunter Killer,” will be filmed in Whittier, a small south-central Alaskan town, beginning this January, and is set to be the largest production in Alaskan history (AD; see alsoFNM). INFRASTRUCTURE United States Climate Change Takes a Village (HuffPo). 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) |
