Article 23

The Arctic This Week April 20 - 26, 2015

ByDoris Friedrich,Mike McCormack,Seth Myers andRyan Uljua April 29, 2015

photo: Tromsø, Norway by Malte Humpert

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 cansign up here. As always, all editorial choices, opinions and any mistakes are the authors’ own. Anything that we missed? Please feel free to share material with us if you think it deserves inclusion in TATW.

TAI’s RECENT ACTIVITIES

Kathrin Keil was interviewed by the German Press Agency (dpa, Deutsche Presse-Agentur) on the Arctic Council meeting in Iqaluit, the main challenges lying ahead, expectations of the U.S. as it is taking over the chair, and the effects of the Russia-conflict on international cooperation in the Arctic (Ad Hoc News, in German).

Malte Humpert was quoted on climate change in the Arctic, its implications for the Arctic Council and the importance of the Arctic for the Arctic nations:

How successfully can the Arctic Council tackle climate change? (Carbon Brief)

U.S. takes reins of Arctic Council amid geopolitical tension, rapid warming (Mashable).

THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES

United States Begins Term as Arctic Council Chairman

The United States has begun its two-year chairmanship of the Arctic Council with, despite rising tensions with Russia (including a provocative trip by Russian Deputy PM Dmitry Rogozin – who is not allowed to enter Europe under sanctions imposed as a result of actions in Ukraine – to the region via Svalbard, last week), a policy poised to largely focus on climate change, environmental protection, and indigenous communities (CSMonitor,FP,Al Jazeera,DW). Indeed, whereas outgoing chairman Canada used the forum as a platform to question Russian actions in Ukraine,CBC writes that, “the United States is starting its term…by adamantly steering clear of geopolitical and military issues, in favour of focusing on social and environmental stewardship of the North.”

While Canada remained critical of Russia up to the end of its tenure as chair, the United States “is expected to pressure Canada to back off on Russia. ‘The Obama administration has been very clear that Arctic co-operation must continue,’ said Michael Byers, international affairs professor at the University of British Columbia, ‘that the issues of climate change in the Arctic are simply too important to be caught up in the tensions in Ukraine and eastern Europe’” (CBC). This approach has won some praise in both countries, with theNYTimespublishing an editorial expressing the adamant need for cooperation in the region, and former Canadian MFA Lloyd Axworthy writing inThe Globe and Mail that the Arctic Council is “the wrong place” to deal with sending Russia “tough messages.” Environmentalists were likewise heartened by the approach, with Trip Van Noppen of Earthjustice writing inThe Huffington Post that the Arctic promises to be an area of potentially meaningful action on climate change, if the United States is “willing to lead at home,” and the WWF similarly welcomed the focus on environmental protection (CBJ).

For those interested, theState Department has a full transcript of Secretary Kerry’s remarks. Additional coverage and commentary may be found at, among others:CBC andAlaska Dispatch News.

Classroom violence an increasingly big problem in Yukon

According to teachers in Yukon, the biggest challenge they face is violence directed at them in the classroom (CBC). The incoming President-elect of the Yukon Teachers’ Association says that children are attacking and injuring teachers on an increasingly frequent basis, and she intends to make the issue the focus of her tenure as president of the association. The territory’s Minister of Education recently spoke on the issue and admitted that classroom violence is an increasingly big problem. According to the minister there were eight violent incidents reported to the Department of Education in 2012-13, while in 2013-2014 there were 85 (CBC).

Statoil bucks global price-cutting trend, bets on oil price recovery in new investments

Hoping to see an eventual increase in oil prices, Statoil has cut less investments than other companies in the industry as of late. The company is hoping that continuing to put money into long-term investments will pay off in the future (Reuters). This has not stopped the company from being attuned to economic realities, however. The company announced that it will partner with competitors on upcoming Barents exploration projects as a cost-saving measure (Reuters). Separately, Statoil also announced that it will begin a joint drilling partnership with Rosneft in the Sea of Okhotsk in 2016 (Sputnik). Meanwhile, the Norwegian government is working with European competition regulators to determine if it can offer subsidies to Statoil (BO).

Phytoplankton drives Arctic warming

The effect of phytoplankton, also known as plant plankton, on Arctic warming is a serious factor to consider in any scenario on future climate change. Instead of lessening Arctic warming by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the growth of phytoplankton is accelerated through the melting Arctic sea ice, which might further raise sea surface temperature and therefore amplify Arctic warming by 20% (RCS). A new study on the issue was published in Proceedings of National Academy of Science last week (PNAS).

$5.7 million fund to support Inuit sealers in Canada

The Canadian government on April 21 announced a $5.7 million fund to support Inuit sealers in gaining access to the European Union market. While the fund is welcomed by some Inuit representatives, such as Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Terry Audla, some say the effort should be directed towards better uses for the sealing industry. The Canadian Sealers Association, which represents non-indigenous sealers, even views the deal as a threat to the industry (NN).

THE POLITICAL SCENE

United States

How Alaska can benefit from US taking chair of Arctic Council (KTVA).

Is the United States positioned to lead in the Arctic? (Brookings).

Finance Committee defends cuts amid bleak budget (AJOC).

Interior Energy Project bill caught up in education fight (AJOC).

First Nations begin Site C legal battle (AHN).

Legislature on route to adjourn after Senate passes Interior Energy Project bill (NM).

Canada

Nicholson deflects criticism over Canada's Arctic Council chairmanship (CTV News).

Bill S-6 heads back to the House, without change (YN).

N.W.T. Surface Rights Board set up to resolve land access disputes (CBC).

Dehcho First Nations and N.W.T. resume land claim, self-government talks (CBC).

ENERGY

Floating Arctic nuclear power station will be finished next year: Russian Deputy PM

Russia will complete construction of a long-anticipated floating nuclear power station for use in the Arctic next year, according to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin. The station, the world’s first major platform of its kind, will be able to dock with coastal infrastructure to provide energy for communities along Russia’s Arctic coastline (BO). Although critics of the project have raised questions about the station’s environmental impact and even the possibility of it becoming a target for terrorist groups, the idea has caught on elsewhere: an Ontario company has proposed the construction of several small floating nuclear power stations for use in the Canadian Arctic to power communities and mining projects (AD).

Canada

The Canadian government has permitted the Northwest Territories to up its spending cap, allowing it to fund much-needed infrastructure projects needed to access new sources of oil and gas (Reuters).

Norman Yakeleya, Sahtu MLA, says he supports N.W.T. fracking (CBC).

Nunavut community asks federal court to stop offshore oil exploration (APTN).

Whitehorse LNG project $8M over budget (YN).

Greenland

Nunaoil director: The profit will come when we find oil (KNR, in Danish).

Iceland

Green Icelandic energy to power UK (mbl).

Norway

This giant oil rig could usher in a radically altered Arctic (NG).

Norway angers investors in pipeline network (WSJ).

Majors team up for Barents Sea safety (MarEx).

Norway launches 2015 oil and gas licensing round (NGE).

Russia

More information has emerged about plans to liberalize the offshore Arctic licensing regime, as noted in last week’s edition of The Arctic This Week (BO).

Five views on the EC’s case against Gazprom: Any repercussions? (NGE)

Chinese company to build $2 bln oil refinery in Russia’s Far East (TASS).

Russia’s only offshore Arctic oil field to double output this year (MT).

United States

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell says that Shell “learned some very painful and expensive lessons” in 2012, in an apparent move to assuage concerns over the company’s plans to resume drilling in the Alaskan Arctic (Bloomberg).

EIA sees stark alternatives for Alaska, with low-price shutdown (PN).

State-led gasline scores low on credibility (AJOC).

Interior requests views on fee increases (PN).

Promising results from North Slope methane hydrate test well (PN).

VIDEO: Oil and ice: The risks of drilling in Alaska’s Arctic Ocean (Dailymotion).

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Arctic beetles as markers of climate change

Beetles might be ideal markers of climate change and biodiversity in the Arctic. A team of researchers working with Chris Buddle and Crystal Ernst (McGill) found that the beetles are not only very sensitive to climate, but the occurrence of different species also varies with latitude. Depending on the latitude, the beetles fulfill different ecological roles. As the climate changes, so do beetle communities. Hence their activities might be used as indicators of change (Phys.org).

Climate, weather, earth sciences

Study Links Small Earthquakes, Drilling (ANN).

Drones Fly Over Melting Arctic Ice For Science (Pop Sci).

Emma Thompson wrote an Oscar-worthy open letter to save the Arctic (Grist).

Canada’s Arctic Council Chairmanship: Bad for Nature, Locals – Greenpeace (Sputnik).

Scientists pore over warm west, cold east divide (AJOC).

Iqaluit landfill's smoky 'burn box' kindles memories of dumpcano (CBC).

Oil Friendly ice edge report from government under fire (AB, in Norwegian).

Wildfire-hit area in Russia’s Siberia continues to grow (TASS).

Global Warming: Scientists Warn of 6 Degree Temprature Rise by 2100 (Sputnik).

Norway is polluting Murmansk says Russian official (EOTA).

Why are forests burning in Russia before the beginning of the fire risk season? (RBTH)

Climate change goals can’t make life harder in NWT: premier (NORJ).

Strong Ocean Currents Promote Release of Arctic Greenhouse Gas (NWN).

Russia Set to Deploy Tactical Drones in the Arctic (Sputnik).

Scientists Turn to Drones For Closer Look at Sea Ice (CC).

High resolution Greenland ice sheet inter-annual mass variations combining GRACE gravimetry and Envisat altimetry (Earth and Planetary Science Letters).

Climate Change Exhibition in Murmansk (Barents Euro-Arctic Council).

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Clean Air Initiatives Win EPA Honors (EPA).

30 percent risk of ice south of "ice edge" (NRK, in Norwegian).

Wildlife & ecology

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposes delisting most of the world’s humpback whales from the endangered species list, as they have recovered after being protected for 45 years (AJOC,Juneau Empire).

Scientists examine grayling feeding habits (NM).

Dettah chief worried Ekati's Jay pipe expansion may affect caribou (CBC).

South Slave bison TB study officially axed as scientists remove tracer collars (NORJ).

Expeditions & research blogs

Last week, the kids of the project “Expedition Nansen” arrived at the North Pole (BO andNRK, in Norwegian).

Icebergs, melting ice to be studied by Arctic expedition leaving from St. John's (CBC).

Environmental management

Gameti chief's trial on wasting caribou meat wraps up in Behchoko (CBC).

Microplastics a new threat to Baltic (AD).

Talvivaara gets green light for waste pipeline – with tighter terms (EOTA).

Greenpeace: Denmark should renegotiate Dundas agreement (KNR, in Danish).

Norway jails five wolf hunters in environmental crackdown (Reuters).

Agency will hunt invasive caribou on remote Alaska island (Phys.org).

Russian oilpatch ignores rights, environment: aboriginal leader (AHN).

University & research news

While waiting for the reports from this year’s Arctic Sciences Summit Week, check out the report on the social and human sciences activities from last year’s conferencehere (TAI).

Scholars Announced for Inaugural Fulbright Arctic Initiative (U.S. Department of State).

Archaeology

Spear tips from Northwest Alaska add clues to mystery of first Americans (AD).

How laser scanning may help crack mysteries of HMS Erebus (CBC).

New evidence of prehistoric trade with Asia found at Bering Land Bridge site (AD).

Genome study reveals lonely end for the world's woolly mammoths (Reuters).

Miscellaneous

Guardian Live: Freeing the Arctic 30 (The Guardian).

MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE

Russia

Russian Firm To Develop Arctic Anti-Aircraft Weapon (IBT).

Missile fails, falls down in village (BO).

New icebreaker for the Northern Fleet (BO).

Russia Conducts Military Drills on Disputed Kuril Islands (Moscow Times).

United States

Coast Guard Rescues Three Mariners near Kodiak (ANN).

MINING

Struggle to maintain abandoned Yukon mines

Veris Gold Corp. abandoned all operations at its Ketza mine project in Yukon on April 10 due to a lack of funds (CBC). The Yukon government has since been forced to assume responsibilities for the care and maintenance of the site, which is located approximately 80 kilometers south of Ross River. Meanwhile, Yukon Zinc continues to struggle to maintain its Wolverine Mine site, which was abandoned in February 2015 (YN).

Alaska

Graphite Creek mineral deposit STAX up (PN).

Outlook brightens for mining industry (PN).

Kensington’s new plan (PN).

News Nuggets: Weak metal prices weigh Teck profits (PN).

News Nuggets: Alaska gets lands under Tanana River (PN).

News Nuggets: Endurance eyes Elephant gold target (PN).

Canada

Northern Neighbors: Q1-4 yellow diamonds in rare class (PN).

Northern Neighbors: Diavik diamond production down 20% (PN).

Northern Neighbors: Mount Milligan gold deliveries rise (PN).

Northern Neighbors: Banyan readies for 2015 Hyland drilling (PN).

The Mining Industry Human Resources Council secures over $500,000 in funding from the Government of Canada (CMJ).

MINING: Trevali Sees Positive Initial Results From Caribou Zinc Mine Paste Backfill Study (CMJ).

DIAMONDS: Airborne data gets closer look (CMJ).

Nordics

NORA Region Trends details why NunaMinerals was forced to declare bankruptcy (NORA). Meanwhile, some NunaMinerals investors are still scrambling to find a solution that will keep the Greenlandic gold exploration company alive (KNR, in Danish).

100 must leave LKAB (BO).

Finnish mining firm gets green light for waste pipeline -- with tighter terms (AD).

Norway approves controversial mining waste dump in Førdefjorden (NORA).

Environmental Organizations Continue Struggle against Norway Government (The Nordic Page).

FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS

Yellowknife granted exemption from temporary worker hiring ban

Yellowknife, NWT applied for an exemption to the ban on hiring temporary workers, which aims at reducing the high unemployment rates in parts of Canada. However, whereas the Northwest Territories have an unemployment rate of approximately 7%, Yellowknife’s rate stands at 2%. Foreign workers are crucial for many businesses, in particular those depending on tourism. The number of Asian tourists grows, but many need translation services, which is where the overseas staff comes in and offers specialized tours, marketing, promotions and interpreting (CBC).

Fisheries

The Ideology and Practice of Pacific Herring Cultivation among the Tlingit and Haida (Human Ecology).

FISH FACTOR: Lost blackcod pots in the Sound, and sputtering state fishery startups (AJOC).

AJOC EDITORIAL: Legislature votes for factions over fish (AJOC).

Federal Subsistence Board keeps state Y-K management (AJOC).

GUEST COMMENTARY: Equal voice for personal use and sport anglers is key on Board of Fisheries (AJOC).

Legislature narrowly rejects Ruffner for Board of Fisheries (AJOC).

Sablefish pots lost in Prince William Sound (Arctic Sounder).

Faroes Islands to protect their whaling practice (NORA).

Shipping

Governing Maritime Transportation in the Arctic (master thesis) (Duke University).

Titanic Threats Still Lurk Today (MarEx).

Opportunities and Challenges in the Russian North (MarEx).

Tourism

Nordic Slow Adventure: Explorations in Time and Nature (Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism).

Yukon tourism operators have high hopes for 2015 (CBC).

Arctic Finland looks for boost from Chinese tourists (AD).

Number of Chinese Tourists in Russia More Than Doubles (Moscow Times).

Other business and economic news

ASRC Executive Unanimously Selected Chair of Arctic Economic Council (Alaska Business).

Conference "The perspectives of socio-economic development of border regions", 10 June 2015, Petrozavodsk, Russia. Registration deadline is May 25th (UArctic).

U.S. & Canada

Alternative heating system shows promise for reducing fuel costs in Interior Alaska (EOTA).

Peace Region farmers considering irrigation for the first time (AHN).

Many Iqaluit businesses unaware of Arctic Council ministers’ meeting (NN).

Nunavik’s co-op network reports growing returns (NN).

Strike continues as third round of talks fail in Hay River (NORJ).

New crop of growers sprouting at Hay River farm school (NORJ).

Russia

Russian parliament prohibits production of genetically modified plants and animals (TASS).

Russian deputy PM to visit spaceport where criminal inquiry is under way (TASS).

Russia FM: Grudges over Crimea prompt Obama to say Russian economy in tatters (TASS).

Nordics

Young Entrepreneur of Lapland: Julius Oförsagd (LK, in Finnish).

Arctic power takes to the world (Lappish berry powders) (LK, in Finnish).

Chickens gassed if strike continues (mbl).

House Prices Increase in Norway in the First Quarter (TNP).

Nordic citizens seek employment in Norway (NORA).

Nine out of ten Norwegian entrepreneurs fail to maintain growth (NORA).

HEALTH, YOUTH, SOCIETY AND CULTURE

Literacy coaches in Nunavut classrooms next school year

Over 40 ‘literacy coaches’ have been hired to work in classrooms across Nunavut during the 2015-2016 school year. The coaches will work with both students and teachers to help improve literacy rates in all three of the territory’s languages of instruction: Inuit, English, and French (CBC).

Health

A new study published in the Social Science & Medicine journal examines Inuit perspectives on drinking water, wastewater treatment, and public health in the Nunavut community of Coral Harbour (Social Science & Medicine).

Questions about water quality at Liard First Nation (CBC).

Northern Rockies Regional Municipality covering rent to attract doctors (Alaska Highway News).

Youth
The recently released 2015 Arctic Human Development Report calls on the Arctic Council to focus more of its attention on youth issues in the coming decade (NN).

Students protest education cuts (Arctic Sounder).

Arctic delegation offers insight at Maine college (Arctic Sounder).

Valcourt says over $1 billion available for education, but Ottawa now seeking separate deals (APTN).

Iqaluit teens share Inuit traditions with P.E.I. students (CBC).

One in five Icelanders under 15 (mbl).

Greenland’s child sex abuse victims face bleak future (AJ).

Society

Alaska Governor Bill Walker was adopted by the Kaagwaantaan clan at the 80th assembly of Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (ANN).

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes highlights domestic violence, sexual assault (NM).

Passing on traditions through overland travel (Arctic Sounder).

Walking 1,000 KM to stop violence in Thunder Bay (APTN).

Affordable housing money finally spent (YN).

Police 'wrong tool' to deal with homelessness, says head of Yukon RCMP (CBC).

Senior abuse a problem, say 70% of respondents in N.W.T. survey (CBC).

Icelanders (almost!) happiest in the world (mbl).

Release of Arctic public opinion poll (UArctic).

Culture

A private art reception was held in Iqaluit for ministers and officials attending the 2015 Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting, which showcased Nunavut fashion designers and artists (NN).

Acoustic Accents celebrates two decades on the air (Arctic Sounder).

Artist workshops fuse tradition, innovation (Arctic Sounder).

Book details professor’s journey from streets to classroom (APTN).

Inuit art making splash at Montreal art fair (APTN).

Photo exhibit of winter in Nunavut hamlet opens April 22 in Ottawa (NN).

Greenland, Nunavut reinforce necessity of seal trade for Inuit (NN).

Métis actress confronts ‘Pocahottie’ phenomenon with film (NORJ).

Kayaks, built at the Museum of Nature, soon to float on Arctic waters (Ottawa Citizen).

The film Nuka Eskimo Diva touring on the west coast (KNR, in Danish).

Geyser ‘vandal’ flees (mbl).

State Russian Museum knows no limits as it marks 120th anniversary (RBTH).

Discovering Russian culture in the U.S.: April 24 – May 8 (RBTH).