The Arctic This Week October 5 - October 11, 2015  Photo: Marc Jacobsen 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. 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 Join the team of The Arctic Institute for the Arctic Circle breakout session on Traditional Knowledge-based Innovation in the Age of Climate Change. The session is hosted by The Arctic Institute and the UK Science & Innovation Network at the Arctic Circle and will take place on Saturday, 17 October at 17:00-18:30 in Silfurberg A - the front half of Silfurberg Hall on the 2nd floor of Harpa. THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES Report: Exxon was aware of climate change in the Arctic decades ago The LA Times published a special feature late last week on oil giant Exxon Mobil’s alleged knowledge of climate change and specifically its effects in the Arctic (LA Times). The piece, which is in part based on a series of disputed investigative articles by Inside Climate News, alleges that while in the 1990’s Exxon publicly denied any knowledge of climate change, Exxon and Imperial Oil were in fact concurrently working on adjusting their Arctic planning and operations to account for climate change. In a scathing opinion piece for the New York Times, Harvard University professor Naomi Oreskes compared the allegations to misinformation campaigns historically used by the tobacco industry (NYT). Proposed Canadian tip line creates “us” versus “them” mentality that’s dangerous not just for Muslims In a piece for CBC, Tasha Spillett deals with the implications of a ‘tip line’ recently proposed by a conservative candidate that would allow Canadians to report on practices that are at odds with ‘Canadian Values’. Spillet argues that this language only furthers the ‘us’ versus ‘them’ narrative that is becoming entrenched in Canadian society and suggests that Canadian populations such Muslims and Indigenous peoples, among others, could soon find themselves in the ‘them’ category. Spillett also argues the current language of ‘barbaric practices’ harkens back to the memories of outlawed Indigenous practices, which have recently been identified as cultural genocide by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CBC). The impacts of Shell’s exit on the Alaskan economy As was the case last week, several articles about the economic consequences of Shell’s decision to stop exploration in Arctic waters off Alaska were published this week (see for exampleWorld Policy Blog). The rating agency Moody’s noted the potential negative impact on Alaska’s already struggling economy, especially if the oil prices remain low (AD,CBC). Another article in the Alaska Dispatch examines the impact on the North Slope Inupiat. Ironically, they are among the most affected by both climate change and Shell’s withdrawal (AD). Independent review of Pebble controversy dings the EPA’s regulatory process DC-based consulting firm the Cohen Group has reviewed the efficacy of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) handling of the controversial Pebble mine project and the conclusion is not a pretty one for the Agency (PN). In particular, the Cohen Group report found that the tool the EPA used to block the Pebble mine in its Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment, namely Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act, was improperly employed. The Cohen Group report, which was commissioned by Pebble but was supposedly carried out independently, also found that EPA personnel had “inappropriately close relationships with anti-mine advocates” opposed to the Pebble mine (AJOC). A week full of woolly mammoths During the international 'Northern Ecumene' expedition to the Lyakhovsky Islands, scientists have discovered woolly mammoth remains that seem suitable for cloning the animal. In particular, the well-preserved skin that was found is considered the best material to extract cells viable for cloning in the framework of the 'The Mammoth Rebirth' project. The islands belong to the New Siberian Islands archipelago located in the Arctic seas of eastern Russia and are considered the “mammoth continent” (Sputnik,ST). Around 3,500 kilometres (2,200 miles) to the south-west, Paleolithic 'butchering' tools were found at the site of the 'largest woolly mammoth graveyard in Asia' (ST). Meanwhile, Mia Bennett visited John Reeves, one of the largest private landowners in Alaska. Apart from showing his collection of mammoth tusks and bones, Reeves also shared his favorite mammoth recipes. If you’re into several-thousand-year-old meat, enjoy! (Cryopolitics) THE POLITICAL SCENE United States Russia Canada Europe Asia ENERGY Prirazlomnaya to get an upgrade, Neft wraps up pre-construction at Ob Sea oil terminal Two major Gazprom oil installations in the Russian Arctic are getting work done. Gazprom’s iconic Prirazlomnaya platform is expected to undergone a facelift intended to boost production. The modernization program is aimed at increasing production capacity at the Pechora Sea site from 22,000 tons a day to 100,000 tons a day, nearly a 400% increase (BO; see also TASS, in Russian). Meanwhile, in the Ob Sea, Gazprom’s subsidiary Neft is finalizing pre-construction at its new offshore oil terminal near Novy Port (MarEx; see also BO). Canada Shell’s decision to leave Arctic Alaska is having an effect on offshore oil development in neighboring Canada’s Beaufort Sea, where exploration projects are in limbo (PN). Norway An activist group is applying pressure on the Norwegian government to press charges against Statoil after it suffered its third oil spill since 2007 last week at the same platform (AJ). Is Geothermal Energy an Alternative for Svalbard? (Paywall) (Earth Doc). Polarled to Take Norwegian Gas Infrastructure Across the Arctic Circle (Pipeline & Gas Journal). Russia United States A new study conducted by a consulting group revealed that the Alaskan government's proposed buyout of TransCanada's shares of the AK LNG Project could end up costing over $14 billion, but will also generate $400 million in annual revenue (AJOC). Following Shell’s decision to pull out of the Arctic, the Director of the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Arctic program takes a look at what’s next for energy development in the US Arctic Ocean (Pew). Cook Inlet gas review: New DOG report says existing fields have 1,183 billion cubic feet remaining (PN). Miscellaneous Arctic oil: There is no good method for cleanup (Seattle Times). Arctic oil: A signal for us to move on to alternatives (Seattle Times). SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE WWF opened office in Nuuk In a first for a global conservation organization, the World Wildlife Fund opened an office in Nuuk, Greenland last week. Gitte Seeberg, Secretary General of WWF Denmark, considers the move a step towards gaining firsthand Arctic knowledge and improving on face-to-face dialogue efforts rather than confrontation (AJ). Earth sciences, climate and weather The National Snow & Ice Data Center (NSIDC) announced the end of the 2015 melt season and published its review:NSIDC. Climate change and war, Africa to Arctic (beliefnet). Will survey the Barents Sea for 173 million (NRK, in Norwegian). Unexpected role of electrons in creating pulsating auroras (Science Daily). Northwest Passage Through the Arctic? Not Yet (Discovery News). Climate change: Inuit culture on thin ice (Phys.org). Permafrost-eating bacteria: a new twist on thawing Arctic and global warming (The Conversation). Sir David fears climate change - and polar bears (NRK, in Norwegian). Wildlife and ecology The loneliest bear in the world: Curious polar tries to get close to a boat packed with tourists (Daily Mail). Svalbard: Conservation or Catastrophe? (The Wake) High-arctic butterflies shrink with rising temperatures (EurekAlert!). Environmental management Expeditions & research blogs Research and university news Archaeology and history MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE Russia Europe MINING Canada Kennady Diamonds Inc is continuing to report promising finds at its diamond project at the Kelvin North Lobe site Nunavut (PN). Russia United States Graphite One has raised over $1.3 million in new funding to help explore and develop its Graphite Creek project near Port Clarence, Alaska (Graphite One, see also PN). NovaCopper Completes 2015 Field Program on the Arctic Deposit and Announces Third Quarter Financial Results (NovaCopper). FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS Fisheries Norway’s Northeast Arctic cod, haddock re-certified MSC (Undercurrent News). Shipping Chinese vessel back from record journey via Arctic waters (Xinhua News). Tourism Other business and economic news U.S. & Canada Russia Nordics The large and established win the fight for the High North funds (NRK, in Norwegian). HEALTH, YOUTH, SOCIETY AND CULTURE New Exhibit Called ‘Just Breathe’ Shares Mental Illness Experience A new exhibit opened at Whitehorse’s North End Gallery last week called ‘Just Breathe’ and shares several artists’ mental illness stories. The exhibit shows that different methods can be used to help cope with mental illnesses while also striving to bring more public attention to mental illness. The opening of the show coincided with Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 4th-10th), which aims to combat mental illness stigma as well as provide support for those dealing with mental illnesses (CBC). Health A new $165 million dollar loan from the USDA will help provide critically needed support for a new primary care clinic as well as renovations for a hospital in Bethel, Alaska (AD). Youth Society This month, Inuit groups launched their latest offensive in a battle against the 2009 EU seal ban by establishing Inuit Sila, a new NGO based in Greenland that will represent the interests of seal hunters across the Arctic (EOTA). What's on TV Tuesday: Ice Road Truckers (Sydney Morning Herald). Tributes to 'Mr. Arctic Corsair' Jim Williams, a Giant of Hull's Fishing Community (Hull Daily Mail). Culture Iñupiaq storytelling is being done in a new way with the second video game released by E-Line Media and Cook Inlet Tribal Council’s Upper One Games called ‘Foxtales’. Following up on the success of their first game, ‘Never Alone: Kisima Inŋitchuŋa’, the focus of the new title remains on carrying on the traditions of the Iñupiat people. One of the main methods is the use of Iñupiaq as the narrative language in the video game (AS). Angered That Only Norwegian Museums Strengthened (NRK, in Norwegian). Recording a Renaissance: Way Up North (EdgeYK). New Film Project Across the Arctic (KNR, in Danish). INFRASTRUCTURE United States Abbreviation Key Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) Aftenbladet (AB) Alaska Business Monthly (ABM) Alaska Dispatch News (AD) Alaska Journal of Commerce (AJOC) Alaska Native News (ANN) Alaska Public Media (APM) 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 (NM) 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) Maritime Executive (MarEx) Moscow Times (MT) National Geographic (NG) Natural Gas Europe (NGE) Naval Today (NT) New York Times (NYT) NORA Region Trends (NRT) Northern Journal (NORJ) 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) |
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