Article 1

The Arctic This Week March 21 - March 26, 2016

ByMieke Coppes,Doris Friedrich, andRyan Uljua March 30, 2016

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.

Make sure your view matters and join one of theexecutive workshops at Arctic Business 2016!!!

TAI’s RECENT ACTIVITIES

As part of our collaboration with the Norwegian newspaperHigh North News, Victoria Herrmannpresented a recent study on the thermal dynamics of thawing permafrost as a major contributor to the Arctic’s eroding coastlines.

THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES

Canadian Liberal budget released

The Liberal’s first budget signals a change when it comes to tackling issues such as climate change and the people of the Arctic (CBC). Many leaders in N.W.T. are happy about the budget, although not all. The promising parts included $27 million in funding for affordable housing, among other things (CBC). The Yukon Premier has not offered much commentary on the budget yet, refusing media interviews regarding the budget (CBC). An extension of the mineral tax credit is also included in the budget, which will impact Yukoners (Yukon News). One expert has commented that there is very little articulation of interests and real goals in the latest budget (EOTA).

Russian Arctic oil production hits 10m barrel mark

In a milestone, Russian energy giant Gazprom Neft produced its 10 millionth barrel of Arctic oil at its Prirazlomnoye oil field last week (UPI). Gazprom executives have framed the milestone as an indicator that Arctic energy development is safe, viable, and ‘has arrived’ (World Oil). Gazprom Neft leadership has also indicated that the milestone will be the first of many as the company issued an optimistic revision of Prirazlomnoye’s future viability (Planet Energy News).

New UK research vessel will possibly be named “Boaty McBoatface”

During the online naming campaign called#NameOurShip for the new polar research vessel led by the UK’sNatural Environment Research Council (NERC), the name “Boaty McBoatface” emerged as the potential winner (NERC). This “unserious” name has been criticized by some people, who deem the name unfit for the UK’s largest and most advance research ship to date. The £200 million ship will be launched in three years (AJ,CBC,Breitbart).

THE POLITICAL SCENE

Bernie wins Alaska

In the recent Democratic primaries held in Alaska, hopeful Bernie Sanders came out on top. He also won big over Hillary Clinton in Washington state (AD).

International

End of the Line: Russian, Finnish Presidents Restrict Border Crossings (Sputnik).

Finland, Russia Close Border for Third-Country Citizens(IBO).

In U.S.- Nordic Meeting, A Touch of the Arctic (IBO).

Arctic Council Uses Fairbanks Meeting to Think About the Future (EOTA).

Arctic- For Now, the Arctic Remains a Refuge of Friendly US-Russia Relations(AD).

The United States

Berkowitz Announces $14 Million Anchorage Surplus for 2015 (AD).

McConnell: Obama Climate Plan Hinges on Next President (AJOC).

State Projects $2B Investment Loss (AJOC).

Alaska's Uncontained Failure: Layoffs, Deficit, and an Uncertain Future(HNN).

Even During Hard Times, Alaskans Must be Willing to Invest in the Future (AD).

Russia

Social Protest in Karelia (IBO).

Russian Opposition Leader's Extradition Delayed After Asylum Claim (Yle).

Putin Vows to Restrict Asylum Seeker's into Finnish Lapland (EOTA).

Finland

Top Finnish Concerns: Unemployment, the Refugee Situation and Government Indecision

Controversy in Mountaintop Donated to Finland(NRK, in Norwegian).

Greenland/Denmark

Arctic Circle Forum Will be Held in May (KNR, in Danish).

Norway

Cold Shoulder: Norway's Rejected Refugees Dumped Off in Arctic Russia (Sputnik).

ENERGY

Canada

Arctic exploration permits in Nunavut's Lancaster Sound may be expired (CBC).

Arctic exploration permits in sensitive Arctic area may be expired (The Brandon Sun).

Norway

Oil Search in Norway's New Arctic Area Is Safe, Statoil Says (Bloomberg).

Russia

Big Yamal deals coming up, says Novatek (IBO).

Novatek gains exclusive rights in Yamal, Gydan (IBO).

Training oil cleanup in icy Ob (IBO).

Russia's Yamal LNG project to pay off even amid $30 per barrel oil price — Novatek CEO (TASS).

China promises to speed up work on financing for Yamal LNG project — Russian official (TASS).

Transnational

New Grounds for War: How the Power of Siberia Pipeline Impacts the Arctic (Modern Diplomacy).

Oil, Obama & drilling: Week in Review (EOTA).

Drillers Can't Replace Lost Output as $100 Oil Inheritance Spent (Bloomberg).

United States

Alaska's general fund is paying the oil industry more than it's getting back (AD).

Enstar, Furie seal gas deal through April ‘21 (AJOC).

Committee bill cuts Cook Inlet credits, not much more (AJOC).

Editorial: Off-shore oil drilling in the Arctic is still far too risky (LA Times).

Remembering Exxon Valdez: Obama Should Cancel Leases in Gulf and Arctic (EcoWatch).

Arctic Oil Spill Technology Testing at ICEX (MarEx).

Hundreds Protest Obama Moves to Renew Oil Drilling in Gulf of Mexico — CBD (Sputnik).

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Earth sciences, climate and weather

In Norilsk, Siberia, a storm wreaked havoc and a warning was issued (Sputnik,ST).

The Arctic is thawing much faster than expected, scientists warn (WP).

Warm Easter predicted across Finland… even for Lapland (Yle).

Arctic Sea Ice Is at Near Record Lows, NASA Says (live science).

Recent winter breaks weather records across the far North (AS).

Permafrost - That sinking feeling (AJ).

Scientists predict when the vast Juneau Ice Field will disappear (AD).

GHG Research in the Arctic (Environmental Technology online).

Delegates from 30 countries call for stepped-up monitoring of Arctic climate change (University of Calgary).

Canadian study looks at Arctic beetles as climate change markers (EOTA).

Call for dedicated polar Sentinel satellite (BBC).

No, the People Living in the Arctic Aren't Happy About Record High Temperatures (Inverse).

Arctic Microbes Speeding Up Glacier Melting (Science 2.0).

Ozone depletion recorded in Arctic atmosphere (Arctic.ru).

Wildlife and ecology

Bison on 'excursion' venture near Bluefish Dam north of Yellowknife (CBC).

Conservation - Reemerging species (AJ).

Alaska's massive seabird die-off spreads to Katmai National Park (AD).

Endangered Alaska tree? Rapidly dying yellow cedar may be listed (AD).

Rained Out: Arctic Nesting Birds Struggle With Climate Change (Forbes).

‘Frosty’ looking Tanana Arctic butterfly is a hybrid, and the only one native to Alaska (Inquisitr).

Russia and the US to jointly monitor polar bear populations in Chukotka and Alaska (Arctic.ru).

Floating in the Arctic Darkness (Atlantic).

Environmental management

Burwash Landing takes on stray dog issue (YN).

Want to own a goat in Alaska? You might need a permit for that (AD).

Park Service vows to keep enforcing hovercraft ban in Alaska (AD).

Russian military ecological unit to collect over 1,000 tons of garbage on Wrangel Island (TASS).

The Beauty of Lofoten Arctic Pelago Threatened by the Beast (World Policy Blog).

Polar bear patrol to be established in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area (Arctic.ru).

Scientists want federal government to restore fisheries protection (CBC).

‘Environmental disaster’ in nation’s biggest oil reserve finally being cleaned up (AD).

Expeditions & research blogs

Navy Arctic exercise tests readiness while advancing scientific research (Stars and Stripes).

Research and university news

ICASS IX Call for Sessions (UArctic).

TN (thematic network) "World images of indigenous people of the North" activities in 2015 (UArctic).

Archaeology and history

Franklin expedition, exploration gets cross-Canada exhibit (CBC).

MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE

Canada

Re-Thinking Sovereignty and Security in the Arctic(OpenCanada).

Norway

Commentary: Is it allowable to defend defense in the north? (HNN, in Norwegian).

Russia

New multipurpose sub ready for action (IBO).

Navy completes upgrade of Kola sub base (IBO).

Russian defense ministry intends to actively expand its presence in Arctic (RBTH).

Russian Defense Ministry to focus on military infrastructure development in the Arctic (Arctic.ru).

Paratroopers conduct amphibious warfare drills in Russian Arctic (Arctic.ru).

Russian military plans buildup from West to Pacific (AD).

Russia to Boost Military Infrastructure in Arctic, Kurils in 2016-2020 (Sputnik).

United States

From Nepal’s peaks to Finland’s arctic tundra, troops meet for training in Alaska (Stars and Stripes).

Army officially delays plan to slash Arctic Warrior force level (AJOC).

Sen. Murphy Wants More U.S. Subs In The Arctic (WSHU).

Ice breaker: US nuclear submarine bursts through frozen Arctic ice (VIDEO) (RT).

Watch this stunning video of a U.S. nuclear submarine breaking the ice to surface in the Arctic Circle (The Aviationist).

‘Hartford’ rising (AJ).

Video: Navy submarine emerges through the Arctic ice (AD).

Four countries in military exercises in the Arctic (KNR, in Norwegian).

US Meets Primary Objectives of Submarine Force Readiness Exercise in Arctic (Sputnik).

MINING

Canada

The Canadian diamond mine putting ethics on the map (Diavik) (The Jewellery Editor).

Yukon deploys 'dreamcatcher' to map territory's mineral deposits (CBC).

Kennady North boasts fourth kimberlite find (Nunavut) (PN).

Junior tests for gold veins above Klondike placers (Yukon) (PN).

Greenland/Denmark

As Greenland Ramps Up Mining, Who Will Benefit? (HNN).

Time to zag (AJ).

Background measurement (Uranium) (AJ).

Norway

NunaMinerals has not yet paid (HNN, in Norwegian).

Transnational

Mining sees another dismal year in 2015 (PN).

United States

Sanders takes stand against Pebble mine after wife's talk with Bristol Bay tribes (AD).

A round Graphite Creek (PN).

FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS

Fisheries

Nunavut fisheries casting a net for federal infrastructure money (CBC).

Group criticizes Alaska Gov. Walker on fisheries policy (AD).

Alaska lawmakers consider more and higher fees for hunting and fishing (AD).

Alaska salmon forecast predicts a 40% dip in catch this summer (AD).

FISH FACTOR: Economist: Many factors involved in retail salmon prices (AJOC).

Board of Fisheries hopefuls, legislators playing nice in 2016 (AJOC).

Arctic fishing ban could help warm relations with Russia, says expert (iPolitics).

Shipping

This barge will soon sail the Barents Sea in shuttle traffic with radioactive cargo (IBO).

Time to cruise the Northwest Passage? (Ice Blog).

Polar challenge: creating an autonomous underwater vehicle for under sea-ice exploration (WOC).

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy cautions against Russia's interest in Arctic shipping routes (Game07).

Bourbon Arctic delivered, completes first operation (Offshore Engineer).

Perilous Arctic passage that foiled centuries of explorers to be opened up to cruise liners (Telegraph).

gE Blog Series: Global Shipping Industry Part 2 - Polar Ice Thaw Leads to Increase in Arctic Shipping (global EDGE).

Declining interest in use of Northern Sea Route (IBO).

Aviation

BRIEF-Norwegian Air to lease two Dreamliners from AirCap (Reuters).

Air route to a dream vacation as Siberia offers you its glittering travel jewels (ST).

Tourism

Greenstone's Tom Alton caters to urban anglers looking for wilderness experience (CBC).

Should teach Arctic tourists manners (HNN, in Norwegian).

Other business and economic news

Foundation Documents Set for AEC (Arctic Economic Council) Annual Meeting in Norway (TASS).

U.S.

Juneau grants city's first permit for marijuana business (AD).

Cultivation dominates marijuana applicants (AJOC).

Alaskan is first customer to get his hands on the Oculus Rift virtual-reality headset (AD).

Anaktuvuk Pass garden gets a boost with high tunnel expansion (AS).

After record price year, construction loans and permits dip (AJOC).

Canada

Whitehorse gardeners pitch downtown beehives (CBC).

Russia

These are Russia’s top Arctic investments (IBO).

Nordics

We want steaks (ABN, in Danish).

First Nordic Space Incubator Taking Off (Arctic Startup).

HEALTH, YOUTH & EDUCATION, SOCIETY AND CULTURE

Arctic surfing

Off the coast of Iceland surfers have decided to try the waves in temperatures hovering around 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Surrounded by icebergs and set against a snowy mountain backdrop the views are stunning. To see footage from these brave surfers, check the link (Discovery News). Other surfers head to Norway, where the surfing can be just as challenging, yet rewarding (Daily Mail).

Photos of Finnmarkslopet

The most epic sled dog race in Europe finished earlier this month, with approximately 50 people competing. To see photos of the racers, as well as their elite champion dogs, see the link (Quartz).

Health

Although dozens have become sick with trichinellosis recently after eating seal meat, many people are still encouraging people to eat it. This is due mostly to the cultural and social implications that this traditional meal has. Health officials are planning on continually monitoring the situation (CBC).

Tuberculosis Study in Nunavut Tests New Treatment for Latent TB (CBC).

Nutrition North Finally Gets the Boost It Needs, Says Former N.W.T. MP (CBC).

What's the Best Way Forward for Canadian Health Care? (CBC).

Alaska's Heroin Death Rate Spikes, But Prescription Opioids Take More Lives (AD).

Youth & Education

The University of Alaska Board of Regents voted to oppose a bill that would allow people to carry concealed weapons on campus (AD).

Tundra Women's Coalition Honors Kwethluk Teens and School Leaders (AD).

Youth Expedition "Skiing to the North Pole" to Set Out in Early April (Arctic.ru).

Society

Yukon Tries to Limit the Waste of Thousands of Bottles of Beer (CBC).

Nunavut Addresses Workplace Bullying with new Management Seminar (CBC).

Salt river Chief Opposes Man's Request to Use Nearby Land for Aboriginal Ceremonies(CBC).

Winter of Their Distemper(AJ).

Soldier Climbs Flattop with Wooden Cross in Memory of Veterans (AD).

Disbelieved Fairbanks Four Alibis Show How Anti-Native Bias Taints Justice(AD).

Tomorrow I'm In the Mountains to Heard (NRK, in Norwegian).

Governor Will Look to Keep Troopers at Arctic Man Despite Budget Cuts (Daily News-Miner).

Alaska State Troopers Considering Not Attending 2016 Arctic Man (KTUU).

The Arctic Prison (Alessandro Iovino Photography).

Almost Half of Russians Believe Most People Living Beyond the Arctic Circle Wish to Relocate (Arctic.ru).

House of Polar Explorers (Arctic.ru).

First "Arctic World' Exhibition Fair Opens in Yakutsk (Arctic.ru).

Culture

A Cranbrook lawyer, who moved to Nunavut as a high school teacher, will soon see his life on the big screen. A new Hollywood movie, called The Grizzlies, will focus on the story of how Russ Sheppard went to Kugluktuk and changed the lives of dozens of Inuit students (CBC).

Plow Plunges Through Great Slave Lake While Clearing Trail for Dog Derby (CBC).

Magnetic North Theatre Festival Coming to Whitehorse This Summer (CBC).

Richard Van Camp's Three Feathers Movie to be Filmed in 4 Languages (CBC).

Yukon Skier Dahria Beatty Sets Sights on 2018 Olympics (CBC).

Mushers Depart Dawson City, Yukon, for 40th Percy DeWolfe Race (CBC).

Dustin Harder Found Gold and Music in the Yukon (CBC).

Greenland Stages Famous Canadian Play "The Rez Sisters' (CBC).

Tele-Post Will Issue Two Stamps on Food Culture (KNR, in Danish).

I'm White. My Kids are Native. It Matters. (ADN).

Christianson Puts Alaska Back on Top of American Ski Slopes (AD).

This Harmonica Man is Reaching Alaska Kids with Music and Relationships(AD).

DiCaprio Formally Invited to Visit Siberia After Winning 'People's Oscar' from Yakutians (AD).