The Arctic This Week November 2 - November 8, 2015  courtesy: Flickr/Mads Phil 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 Add text here THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES Fish on fire in Murmansk Following the scandal over the considerable amount of dead salmon in Murmansk aquaculture, the rest of the rotting fish is now being sent to several areas in the Kola Peninsula to be burned (IBO). One of the two main companies, Russian Salmon, has declared itself bankrupt, while the other major company, Russian Aquaculture, faces significant financial difficulties following the scandal (IBO). 2007 North Slope fire ignited extensive permafrost thaw A study published inNature Scientific Reports assessed the effects of the 2007 Anaktuvuk River fire in Alaska. The fire burned about 400 square miles of treeless Arctic tundra on the North Slope, which is an area larger than all the previous fires on the North Slope combined. About 34% of the burned area that was measured has now developed thermokarst topography as a result of melting permafrost (AD). (Still) Reflecting on Shell’s Alaskan (mis)adventure With some weeks between us and when Shell decided to pull out of the Alaskan Arctic, the energy giant’s CEO Ben van Beurden has offered up some public retrospection (PN). Primarily, van Beurden expressed his regret over the operation not working out and said his company will learn from the experience (AD). Notably, however, he did leave the door open for Shell to make a potential Arctic comeback sometime down the road (AD). According to Prosperity Index, Norway is the best place to live for both immigrants and indigenous peoples Norway has once again been named the best place to live for both immigrants and indigenous peoples, ranking first in the 2015 Prosperity Index. Norway has also been named one of the five most tolerant countries in the world (TNP). This marks the seventh consecutive year that Norway has been ranked number one in the Prosperity Index (CNN). THE POLITICAL SCENE The new issue of the open-access journal Arctic Review on Law and Politics has been published. The topics include fishery policy, EU engagement in the Arctic, and traditional knowledge (Arctic Review). Europe Fearing fear (AJ). On common ground (AJ). Jardar Jensen resigns as secretary of state (NRK, in Norwegian). More is not enough (AJ). United States Canada ENERGY Canada Legislature readies complaint after Arctic drilling nixed (Juneau Empire). Norway The Norwegian government is keeping the pressure up Statoil, insisting that the company continue striving to develop offshore fields in the Arctic despite recent cost cuts (Bloomberg). Russia United States Crude oil production rates in the Alaska North Slope region jumped over 6 percent between this past September and October (PN). Falling profits challenge oil industry investments, with one Alaska major particularly at risk (AD). Buyout funding passes; Governor says he’ll lead state’s AKLNG role; House asks to have AGDC named (PN). Conoco earnings down (PN). SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE The effects of climatic changes on the extinction of ice-age megafauna Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of California analyzed around 4,000 well-preserved bones to find out the effect that rapid climatic changes in the Pleistocene had on megafauna such as woolly mammoths. Researchers concluded that many large mammals became extinct when rising sea levels flooded the Bering Strait and cut off their access to Asia (Phys.org,AD). The paper was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences(PNAS). Earth sciences, climate and weather Hugues Lantuit on Permafrost, Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research, Arctic Circle 2015 (Arctic Circle). A New Map of the Arctic? (New Yorker) Wildlife and ecology Arctic Marine Mammals Swim Up to the Microphone (Scientific American). Environmental management Research and university news MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE Russia Construction efforts to upgrade Russia’s easternmost Arctic military base at Cape Schmidt have been suspended for unknown reasons (IBO). United States Strykers Operate North of Arctic Circle for First Time (Military.com). Europe A new report from the Danish Defence Intelligence Service warns that an offensively-minded Russia may eschew cooperation in the Arctic to achieve it’s goals (HNN, in Norwegian). Change in command at Arctic Command (ABN, in Danish). MINING Canada Newly-elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau swore in Jim Carr of Manitoba as his Minister of Natural Resources last week, though some have raised questions about Carr’s mining chops (CMJ). Finland Finland has become the first country other than Canada to adopt the Mining Association of Canada’s “Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM)” program aimed at fostering better corporate responsibility practices (CMJ). Norway This week in world developments having ramifications in the Arctic: due to the increasing influx of refugees entering Norway via Russia, the Norwegian government has decided to relocate all of its funding for geological surveys in Northern Norway to programs designed to cope with immigration (NORA). United States Think outside box, now: PwC advises juniors to identify innovative financing solutions before crisis (PN). FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS Fisheries Fish on fire (IBO). IUU bill passes, but more int’l action needed (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing) (AJOC). He is one of many fishermen who receive financial support (NRK, in Norwegian). 25 years of quota struggles can be crowned with victory (NRK, in Norwegian). Fear of discrimination by fishermen (NRK, in Norwegian). Political soup on mackerel - it boils in Greenland's power elite (HNN, in Norwegian). Shipping Other business and economic news U.S. & Canada While cheaper fuel is detrimental to the Alaskan state budget, local economies seem to be benefitting. For instance, the unemployment rates in Anchorage and Fairbanks have dropped to 4.7% and 4.9% respectively (AJOC). Russia Nordics Herders should accept modern requirements for animal welfare (NRK, in Norwegian). Over 1,000 farms closed down over the past year (NRK, in Norwegian). Janson with clear message: - Time to invest in the north (HNN, in Norwegian). Will create an index for the entire Northern Areas (HNN, in Norwegian). Charter Fund receives approval for two more years (HNN, in Norwegian). HEALTH, YOUTH, SOCIETY AND CULTURE A look into the life of a Syrian refugee in Sweden Being a refugee is never easy, but the difficulties are only amplified when your new surroundings are dramatically different, both culturally and environmentally. This article looks at some of the hardships Syrian refugees have had to face when they find themselves in Sweden, close to the Arctic Circle (Maclean’s). Health A new project in Palmer, AK called the the Magic Yarn Project is making whimsical princess wigs for girls who have lost their hair during their battles with cancer. At the moment, the wigs are created to mimic hairstyles from Elsa, Anna, Rapunzel, and Ariel, with other such as Jasmine hopefully on the way (AD). Youth Danish MP’s have called for the resumption of Danish control over some social services in Greenland, specifically those related to children. A Danish MP claimed that this is due to the fact that Greenland does not have the ability or capacity to locally deal with the abuse, sexual abuse, and malnourishment problems that is widespread in North-West Greenland (AJ). Society A Japanese man who is walking around the world is currently making his way through Juneau, AK. His trek has brought him to Australia, Korea, Taiwan, and now North America. His intent is to meet people, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the world, and build his strength so he can continue to help others (APM). Greenpeace Arctic 30 Activist Frank Hewetson Recalls 'Hope and Despair' of Russian Jail (The Independent). Finland Launches Own Emojis (Yle). Norwegian Finnmarksløpet heads to Alaska to Talk Cooperation with Iditarod (HNN, in Norwegian). Culture A new documentary, The Guardians of Eternity, looks at the Yellowknife Dene First Nation’s perspective on the Giant Mine, which has left poisonous arsenic behind. Some in the community are hoping that this documentary will open discussions with future generations on the implications of toxicity in the environment (CBC). Nuka Godtfredsen Exhibit Opens in Qaqortoq (KNR, in Danish). Generous Funding to Vulnerable and Important Art Project (HNN, in Norwegian). Sports Due to a lack of snow, the traditional World Cup opening for slalom will be canceled. The event was scheduled to occur next weekend in Levi in Finnish Lapland (IBO). 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) 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) Independent Barents Observer (IBO) 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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