The Arctic This Week October 26 - November 1, 2015  Photo: Malte Humpert, Bodø, Norway 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. TATW Reader Survey We are currently looking at the future of the newsletter. What would you like to see improved? And what would you like to see in future editions of TATW? Let us know your thoughts by filling out ourreader survey! TAI’s RECENT ACTIVITIES In this year’s Arctic Yearbook, TAI’s Marc Jacobsen discusses the power of collective identity narration in Greenland and the way to a more autonomous foreign policy. What are the central elements of this narrative? And what role do external threats play? Read the articlehere. The Arctic Coast Guard Forum was officially established last Friday at the US Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut. Some have argued it can serve as an arena to tackle security dialogue with Russia, at a time when other channels have been abandoned. Yet, there are certain constraints with regards to coast guards and their roles and mandates in the Arctic. In turn, what will this Forum aspire to accomplish? TAI’s Andreas Østhagen examines the challenges, the big tasks, and the small solutionshere. CALL for ABSTRACTS The upcoming European Geoscience Union General Assembly (EGU 2016) conference will be held in Vienna (Austria) from April 17-22, 2016. TAI’s Kathrin Keil co-convenes a session on ‘Arctic Ocean and Cryosphere in Rapid Transition’. Abstracts can be submitted from now on until January 13, 2016. For more information check out EGU’s website or reach out to Kathrin. THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES Arctic Alaskan oil sector finally gets some positive momentum, thanks to ConocoPhillips Despite low global oil prices and Shell’s decision to pull out of the Arctic, there’s some positive news finally coming out of Alaska’s North Slope, where new production efforts are humming along, led by ConocoPhillips (AJC). Early last week, ConocoPhillips’ North Slope CD5 drill site in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) began producing oil, marking the first commercial oil development project in the NPR-A (PN). Also amid last week’s developments, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved ConocoPhillips’ drilling permit and right-of-way for its Greater Mooses Tooth (GMT-1) project in the NPR-A, about eight miles west of CD5 (AJC). While neither the CD5 or GMT-1 projects are expected to have massive production rates, their approvals set an intriguing regulatory precedent for the federally-owned, 23-million-acre NPR-A region (PN). BarentsObserver Dealing with Uncertain Future The BarentsObserver will no longer be updated in its current form (BO). One can only assume that this is related to the recent conflict between BO’s editorial staff and its owners (BO). The conflict stemmed from a recent owners’ assembly where a proposal prohibiting editorial independence was approved (BO). Former BarentsObserver Editor Thomas Nilsen has since begun publishing articles at a new site, The Independent Barents Observer (IBO). Learning About Residential Schools will now be Required in the City of Yellowknife Since the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission came out earlier this year, Yellowknife has deemed it necessary that all staff receive education on the history of the First Nations, including treaties and the residential schooling system. The move follows the publication of the Commission’s final report, which called for further education for public servants. The educational program should be created in the next couple weeks (CBC). Hunger is a Real Problem in the North, but the New Liberal Government Promises Relief The price of food in the Canadian North is extremely high and only increases during the winter when transportation costs skyrocket, leading to a hunger rate 6 times higher than the rest of Canada. Canada’s new Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has promised an extra 40 million dollars for the Nutrition North food program. But will money be enough to change the food crisis? (Reuters). Canadian diamonds are(n’t) forever Canada’s usually-strong diamond industry has taken a beating in 2015 as a result of low global diamond prices (Reuters). In N.W.T., the epicenter of Canada’s diamond industry, exploration spending has been slashed by over 50% this year. The primary culprit behind the dip in global diamond prices is believed to be lower-than-expected demand for diamonds in China. THE POLITICAL SCENE Canada Europe Norwegian-Russian cooperation flourishes in the Barents Sea (NHH, in Norwegian). Sámediggi budget slams next year (NRK, in Norwegian). 701 asylum seekers to Storskog (NRK, in Norwegian). United States A Changing Arctic Presents Incredible Challenges and Opportunities for Indigenous Peoples(Indian Country). ENERGY Faroe Islands going green? Not so fast say scientists & skeptics In last week’s edition of The Arctic This Week we covered Faroese power company SEV’s announcement at the Arctic Circle Conference that the company intends on using 100% renewable energy by 2030 (NORA). Now, scientists and other critics are pumping the brakes on the ambitious plan, claiming that it is infeasible and unrealistic (NORA). Critics point out that while making electricity generation in the Faroe Islands based completely on renewable energy is an admirable--and possibly achievable--goal, the CEO of SEV did not consider what it would take to replace all of the oil-powered ships, trucks, and cars as well as oil-based heating furnaces when he made his initial announcement. Canada Norway Among the many oil majors that posted quarterly earnings last week was Statoil, whose numbers were surprisingly week, leading the Norwegian giant to announce spending cuts (Reuters). Aibel clinches Oseberg FEED. Hoping for EPCI too (Offshore Energy Today). Russia "Rosneft" is looking for a pier in the Arctic (RusMinInfo). United States Sharp loss for Shell after Arctic exit, lower oil prices (The Rakyat Post). Miscellaneous Market mechanisms will determine the future of Arctic energy business (Paywall) (Geopolitical-Info). Is Oil Industry Backing Away From Offshore (MarineLink). The drillers’ tale: Slumping prices have oil firms scrutinising production costs much more closely (AJ). SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE Earth sciences, climate and weather Arctic snow is not becoming dirtier (Nature). Greenland Is Melting Away (NYT). The weather on the plateau is no longer right (NRK, in Norwegian). Scientist mixes humor, bleak predictions in explaining Arctic woes (Rapid City Journal). Video: Scientists say the Arctic could be ice-free by 2030 (Vancouver Sun). Despite Warming, Landsat Reveals Decadal Slowdowns on Greenland Ice Sheet (NASA Landsat Science). Wildlife and ecology The great Arctic experiment (Science). Ocean currents are a source of waste in Arctic (NRK, in Norwegian). Environmental management WWF strengthens cooperation with Arctic actors in the Nuuk office (KNR, in Danish). Locals want to know why they lose the right to dispose of natural treasures (NRK, in Norwegian). Whose Arctic Is It? The Ethics of Arctic Campaigning (World Policy Blog). Research and university news Archaeology and history MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE United States Canada Europe On a wing and a share (AJ). Unknown submarines at stake in Greenland (KNR, in Danish). Russia MINING Canada Giant Mine's iconic C-Shaft headframe comes down (Photos) (CBC). Replacement-style gold found at Yellowknife (NWT) (PN). Drilling adds to prospectivity at Indin Lake (NWT) (PN). Klondike drills coarse gold at Eldorado Creek (Yukon) (PN). United States Mining Explorers 2015 North of 60 Mining News published the 7th edition of its annual ‘Mining Explorers’ special, covering in detail the past year of mining exploration activities in Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut through a series of articles. Read the introduction here. The rest of the special edition articles can be found below: FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS Fisheries Cod-awful (AJ). One out of nine board members women (NRK, in Norwegian). Shipping Bureau Veritas and Russian Register to Class Arctic LNG Carriers (Shipping and Marine Events). Commentary: Arctic Climate Change and Maritime Restrictions (InHomelandSecurity). Aviation Tourism Other business and economic news U.S. & Canada Russia Nordics HEALTH, YOUTH, SOCIETY AND CULTURE Health Using research that maps out a typical breast cancer journey in the N.W.T., the NWT Breast Health/Breast Cancer Action Group, is going to test a new care plan for those suffering from the cancer in the territory. The new care templates are modeled after similar ones adopted in Alberta and Manitoba and focus on the importance of consistency throughout the healing process (NORJ). Youth Arctic FOXY is teaching young girls in the Canadian Arctic about sex. In the N.W.T. and Nunavut, where the rate of sexual violence, teen pregnancy, and sexual transmitted diseases are high, there is much room for this type of education (PRI). Society Women in Fort Providence, N.W.T., are attempting to start a citizen patrol group due to the alleged lack of response from the RCMP to some violent crimes. The woman leading the initiative, which would reportedly be supported by the RCMP, argues that a group of citizens will bridge the gap between residents and police that can often be found in small towns (CBC). Residents in Iqaluit are similarly concerned about crime in their area and have started using social media as one new way to catch criminals (CBC). The Kirov Railway: A Shot of Steel Through Russia's Northwest (Cryopolitics). Culture The Bootstrap Theatre Foundation explores the story of Luke Cole, who fought with the Alaskan Inupiat against the world’s largest zinc mine, in a new play called “Arctic Requiem: The Story of Luke Cole and Kivalina”. The show manages to meld contemporary history and a deeper view into the Inupiat way of life using a character known as Raven, who represents a creator spirit (SFGate). Slave of the Arctic: the Extreme Weatherman Living in A Timewarp (The Guardian). Moving the Plot Along (AJ). Sports INFRASTRUCTURE United States Canada Europe 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 (NORA) 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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