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| Courtesy of ilovegreenland on flickr |
The Arctic This Week 2013: 44
Dearest Readers,
We are trying something new this week. We’ve been discussing some minor format changes on the TATW team that will hopefully make TATW easier and more enjoyable to read and navigate. After testing the new format, we are going live this week and would appreciate any comments that you have. You’ll notice that we’ve included headlines and expanded coverage of the week’s most significant events, while continuing to highlight the best writing in our Reads of the Week Section. At the same time, we have tried to preserve TATW’s comprehensiveness by including the same breadth of material from the week’s events related to the Arctic. Additionally, we’ve tried to economize on space (and your time) by providing shorter descriptions and more links to articles. Please let us know what you think by contacting us directly, we always treasure feedback and suggestions from our readers on how we can continue to improve TATW.
As always, if you’re not a subscriber yet, you can sign up here. The PDF version is here.
ARCTIC CONFERENCE AND EVENTS LIST
The Arctic Institute maintains and provides access to a list of Arctic-themed conferences, workshops, and events. You can access the list by clicking on the following link:
Please help us keep this list up to date! If you would like to add an event to the list, please submit the required information including the event’s name, dates, location, description, website address and contact information using this submission form. The list will be updated weekly and a link to the list will be provided each week in TATW.
READS OF THE WEEK
News of novel claims to the Arctic filed by Denmark and Canada has led to a rash of “race to the Arctic” headlines this week, some good, others not. The best of the bunch is Michael T. Klare’s opinion piece for The New York Times Sunday Review titled “Pushing for the Arctic’s Riches.” While the information in the article may be “old news” to many of us “Arctic buffs”, the article features a multimedia graphic titled “Who Owns the Arctic,” which is well-done and worth checking out.
In energy reads, see the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s recently updated and helpful assessment of the Russian energy sector which was released a few weeks ago but somehow slipped under our radar until now.
In the science news, there was much focus on the International Forum for Polar Bear Conservation in Moscow last week that marked the 40th anniversary of the Agreement signed by Canada, the United States, Russia, Greenland and Norway. The five signatory countries, which together host a population of 20,000 to 25,000 polar bears, “reaffirm (their) commitment to cooperate to achieve effective conservation.” Read the Forum’s full declaration here.
Moving on to military news, Washington congressman Rick Larsen argues in an op-ed for the Seattle Times that the United States needs to invest in military and commercial icebreakers to keep pace with other Arctic nations.
There are two good reads for you this week if you want to get up to speed on the ailing Yukon River Chinook fishery. Despite fishing restrictions on both the U.S. and the Canadian side of the border, the 2012 Chinook salmon run on the Yukon River was among the worst on record, if not the worst ever. Canada First Nations claim that imposing further fishing restrictions on them would be “like trying to squeeze blood from a rock” (Yukon News). In response to the dire situation, Yukon First Nation leaders asked the U.S. to meet their obligations under the Pacific Salmon treaty, which guarantees that at least 40,000 Yukon River salmons will reach Canada (AD).
Another more unusual read is the photo essay/travel journal “Introspective” posted by Daniel Zvereff. Featuring the author’s thoughts, illustrations and brightly hued photographs from Greenland, Iceland, Russia, Norway, Alaska and Canada (and a few other non-Arctic countries), “Introspective” is definitively worthy of a scroll-through.
Concerning infrastructure developments, see this article in the Barents Observer on Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen’s ambitious plan to link Lapland to the Arctic Ocean via railway. Katainen indicated that the rail could link to ports in either Norway or Russia, depending on what makes the most sense.
Finally, if you are looking for some creative, Arctic-themed holiday gift ideas, we have two recommendation. First, see Greenpeace’s “Save Santa’s Home” Christmas card series (Guardian). Second, consider this beautiful book of Arctic images from photographer Dave Walsh, titled “The Cold Edge.”
THE ARCTIC INSTITUTE’S RECENT ACTIVITIES
On November 26, 2013 the North Norway European Office held a seminar on “Humans in the Arctic,” in collaboration with Arctic Frontiers 2014, The Arctic Institute and Maritimt Forum Nord. In two sessions, one on Growth and the other on Governance and Cooperation, “Humans in the Arctic” addressed the emerging environmental and social challenges as well as economic opportunities that arise from the continuous development of the European and in particular Norwegian Arctic. For more information, see this summary of the day’s proceedings from TAI’s Kathrin Keil and Andreas Raspotnik.
THE POLITICAL SCENE
Stephen Harper Sets Sights on North Pole
Friday marked ten years since Canada signed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the deadline for Canada to submit its extended continental shelf submission (CBC). Upon reviewing Canada’s proposed submission, Prime Minister Stephen Harper requested a more extensive claim be prepared that included the North Pole (G&M, Global Post, iPolitics). Canada’s current submission – the one filed for the December 6 deadline – is now being called a “preliminary” or “partial” submission, and Ottawa has stated that it reserves the right to further claims (Beacon News). To read more on Harper’s stance on the North Pole see CTV News. To read about Liberal leader Justin Trudeau’s stance on Canada’s Arctic claims (he prefers to defer to the scientific experts), see The Calgary Sun and Sun News, and see The Japan Times and The Globe and Mail for editorials on the political implications of Canada’s claims. What’s clear to most of us analyzing the recent bout of Arctic seabed vying (BO) is that securing jurisdiction of the seabed surrounding the North Pole (NYT) holds largely symbolic value, as the area is believed to contain no oil, gas or minerals (AJ).
Leona Aglukkaq Sparks Twitter Frenzy with Polar Bear Photo
On Thursday, Canadian Environmental Minister Leona Aglukkaq retweeted a photo of a polar bear killed in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, adding, “Enjoy!!” to the caption. The photo has received support and criticism (Canada.com, CBC). Environmentalists and animal rights activists criticized Aglukkaq for her comment, while others showed support for the hunt as a northern cultural practice. Aglukkaq, who has questioned scientific studies that suggest that the number of polar bears is declining, posted the photo from Moscow on a visit to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the 1973 Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears (National Post).
Putin Advocates Greater Russian Presence in the Arctic (Again)
On December 3, President Putin told law students from Moscow State University that Russia needed to enhance its Arctic presence (see Kremlin.ru for the transcript from the meeting, in Russian), citing the U.S. Navy’s Arctic capabilities as a key motivator for a “beef up” (Atlantic Council). Mr. Putin said that experts “know too well” that American rockets can reach Moscow from the Barents Sea in fifteen minutes, and that Russia must utilize, rather than “give up,” the region (RIAN). He was careful to state that tensions in the region were unlikely to evolve into conflict, but stressed the “need to cultivate the patriotic sentiment” (South China Morning Post). Mikhail Margelov, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council of Russia, also said Russia must strengthen its Arctic preparedness, stating, “certainly, there will be no military conflict but this is important for potential legal, geopolitical and geo-economic rivalries for which our country must be prepared” (Johnson’s Russia List).
Past, Present and Future Arctic Conferences in Finland
"In the Spirit of the Rovaniemi Process," the first in a series of conferences in Rovaniemi, Finland inspired by the 1991 conference that lead to the adoption of the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy, took place December 2-4 (EOTA). Speaking at the conference, Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen said that Finland plans to organize an Arctic summit in Lapland, Finland in 2017 or 2018 once Finland takes over chairmanship of the Arctic Council (BO). Katainen also said that Finland wants to “move the Council towards becoming a treaty-based organization.”
United States
The Alaska Arctic Policy Commission is meeting in Anchorage this week to discuss Alaska’s Arctic policy (Senate of Alaska). In an article for Alaska Business Monthly, Shehla Anjum said that the state had “a limited role” in Arctic-decision making. Rick Larsen and Mia Bennett discussed the recent proposal for more U.S. icebreakers in articles in The Seattle Times and Alaska Dispatch, respectively.
Canada
Northern Journal posted a piece on the Conference Board of Canada’s report Changing Tides: Economic Development in Canada’s Northern Marine Waters, which came out this October.
Canadian diplomat met with the governor of Chukotka (AIR, in Russian).
Russia
The Arctic: Confrontation or collaboration? (Russia Direct).
RIA Novosti cancels "Prirazlomnaja” film screening (Lenta.ru, in Russian).
Greenland
In accordance with Greenland’s 2013 budget, Inuuteq Holm Olsen has been appointed as Greenland’s representative in Washington, D.C (KNR, in Danish). Olsen’s office will be situated in the Danish Embassy. Prime Minister Aleqa Hammond visited the Faroe Islands last week (AJ, KNR).
The Grab for Greenland (Financial Times).
ENERGY
Zombie headline “Race for the Arctic’s Resources” shuffles on
Recent announcements of Arctic territorial claims by Canada and Denmark have succeeded in fanning the flames of speculation on the “race for Arctic resources” in the press. In a Financial Times blog post this week, Nick Butler starts with the assumption that the lure of Arctic resources is too great and that economic development in the Arctic will certainly move forward. If this is the case, Butler suggests that the Arctic environment will be best protected if industry takes the lead in developing best practices for oil, gas and mining work. Michael Klare writes for the New York Times on the rush to exploit the Arctic’s resources and recommends an Antarctica-style treaty to delineate the region’s boundaries and limit military activities. Kira Zalan finds in Shell’s decision to continue its Arctic drilling campaign in 2014, further evidence of a “rush” to expand oil drilling in the Arctic despite the fact that other companies have mothballed their offshore Alaska campaigns due to regulatory and financial uncertainty (USNews). Which is all well and good according to Dan Ritzman of the Sierra Club, who calls on the Obama administration to halt oil and gas leasing in the Arctic to forestall the immediate and long-term environmental dangers of Arctic energy development (Daily Kos).
Shell’s 2014 drilling plans highlight continued controversy over US Arctic drilling policy
Shell is gearing up to return to the Chukchi Sea to continue its drilling campaign in 2014. Reuters reports that Shell will return in July with two drill rigs and a fleet of support vessels to continue drilling on its Burger prospect. Shell has submitted an Integrated Operating Plan to regulators as well as an exploration plan which was returned to Shell with additional questions regarding air quality requirements (AD). Carey Restino suggests that the on-going Coast Guard investigation of Shell’s disastrous 2012 drilling season is being swept under the rug as the federal government considers approving Shell’s plans for 2014 before the investigation has even been completed (The Dutch Harbor Fisherman). Lawmakers seem to agree. 60 House democrats have called on the administration to postpone any new leases in the Arctic until new, Arctic-specific regulations are completed that were called for after Shell’s 2012 drilling season (FuelFix). Meanwhile a proposal by the Obama administration to use “targeted leasing” in the Chukchi Sea instead of the more traditional approach, which auctions off larger areas, has drawn criticism from oil industry representatives. Environmental groups, on the other hand, are disappointed that additional leasing is even under consideration. It appears the administration has managed to make everyone angry with this new proposal (FuelFix).
New icebreakers, oil terminal, pipelines to service Yamal oil and gas projects
Atomflot plans to sign a 40 year contract to supply icebreaking services to the Yamal LNG project (AIR, in Russian). The major deal will make Yamal LNG an “anchor client” of Atomflot (BO). Gazprom Neft also inked an agreement with Rosmorport concerning the construction of on oil terminal to service the Novoportovskoye oil field on the Yamal peninsula (AIR, in Russian). A 100 km pipeline will connect the new terminal to the oil fields (BO) which are expected to begin producing 8,000 to 10,000 barrels per day next year (gCaptain).
Expansion of fracking and oil sands projects cause concerns in Canada’s north
ConocoPhillips has released an updated list of chemicals that it intends to use during hydraulic fracturing on two wells near Norman Wells, NWT, this winter and tried to dispel concerns that it continues to conceal certain harmful chemicals that will be used in the process (NJ). In Alberta, members of the Lubicon Cree Nation are continuing their roadblock at a hydraulic fracturing site, though the continuing protests have exposed fissures in the tribal leadership over this issue (NJ). Members of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation are fighting plans to almost double the size of Shell’s Jackpine oil sands project, a move that will net CND 17 billion in royalties to the federal government while destroying 21 kms of the Muskeg River and altering 185,872 hectares of wetlands (NJ).
Norway
Some good news for Statoil this week: the company struck oil in a new field in the Johan Castberg project. Will the new find be big enough to make the mothballed project feasible (Bloomberg)?
EMGS, OMV sign Barents Sea 3D EM Deal (Offshore Energy Today).
Suncor looks to offshore Norway for growth opportunities (Stockhouse).
Russia
Rosnedra is considering changes to regulations that will allow private companies that had exploration permits for Arctic offshore sites before 2008 to continue working these leases, even though private companies were subsequently barred for oil and gas exploration on the Arctic shelf (AIR, in Russian). The U.S. Energy Information Administration updated its helpful and comprehensive assessment of the Russian energy sector.
Rosneft plans to begin exploration in Russian Chukchi Sea in 2014 (AIR, in Russian).
Alltech looks to partner with Gazprom and Rosneft to push forward stalled Pechora LNG Project (Upstream).
Alaska
Petroleum News this week features an interview with State Senator Cathy Giessel.
Canada
A proposal to establish a National Marine Conservation Area in Lancaster Sound off northern Baffin Island is complicated by the fact that the area may contain 13 trillion cubic feet of gas and 4.5 billion barrels of oil (NJ).
Sweden
SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
Extreme weather linked to climate change, loss of Arctic sea ice
A study published in Nature Climate Change on December 8th links extreme summer weather in northern mid-latitudes to a vanishing cryosphere, even though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear (Nature). The consequences of the vanishing sea ice and snow might be “worsening summer heat waves and downpours” in Europe, the U.S. and other areas in North America and Eurasia (Reuters). The study is based on the data from the satellite tracking of sea ice, snow cover and weather trends since 1979 (Live Science). Paddy Ashdown, blogging for The Guardian, echoes the link between climate change and extreme weather events, such as the recent typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines (Guardian).
The impact of ocean acidification on the Arctic food web
A study by Lewis et al. published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences documents the sensitivity to ocean acidification of Arctic copepods, the dominant Arctic zooplankton, under winter ice (PNAS). As they are one of the key components of the Arctic food web (CTV), their survival, which is threatened by increasing ocean acidity, has substantial ramifications for other species that depend on them (Science Codex).
The link between greenhouse gases, permafrost and sea ice in the Arctic
Researchers with MIT modelled temperature and salinity, the direction of currents, ice growth and shrinkage, and the flow of nutrients and carbon, and came to the conclusion that in each year from 1996 to 2007, the amount of carbon taken up by the Arctic increased by 1 megaton. This is largely due to the loss of sea ice, which allows more organisms to grow and store carbon in the process (NWN). Nevertheless, several warmer Arctic regions, such as the Barents Sea, have been less able to store carbon due to warmer temperatures (MIT). The results have also been addressed in Summit County Voice, Scientific American, and Phys.org. By contrast, a simulation of the thawing of the Arctic permafrost by researchers at the University of California revealed a different effect. The team around Ted Schuur, head of the Permafrost Carbon Network and the Ecosystem Dynamics Research Laboratory, contends that the vegetation growth promoted by a global warming cannot offset the amount of carbon released by the thawing of the permafrost (SD).
Polar bears galore
The news on polar bears is piling up in the wake of the International Forum for Polar Bear Conservation in Moscow last week. It marked the 40th anniversary of the Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears signed by Canada, the United States, Russia, Greenland and Norway. The five signatory countries, which together host a population of 20,000 to 25,000 polar bears, “reaffirm (their) commitment to cooperate to achieve effective conservation … and call on the international community to join us in the conservation.” You can read the entire declaration here. However, Canada’s environment minister Leona Aglukkaq warned that oil exploration and increasing maritime traffic along the Northern Sea Route represent a threat to polar bears and their habitat. For an overview of “polar bear myths and facts”, watch the short video at the end of the article (AJ). Canada’s national Inuit organization, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, emphasized the need to respect Inuit rights, knowledge and livelihoods in the efforts to conserve polar bear populations (NN). The discussion further revolved around the development of the Arctic, in particular oil exploration, pitting environmental NGOs such as WWF against politicians and industry leaders that would like to see more economic development in the region (Expatica). This might have led to the expulsion of around 20 journalists and representatives of nonprofit groups, who had initially been invited to provide input and improve discussion (ENS). And to wrap up the polar bear coverage this week, see this article in the Arctic Journal that features Knut, the polar bear cub born at the Berlin Zoological Garden in 2006, and his first walking attempts – documented in an adorable video (AJ).
Dispute between federal scientist and U.S. government
A settlement ended the row between scientist Charles Monnett and his former agency that begun in 2006 after Monnett and a colleague referred to drowned polar bears in an article published in Polar Ecology. As reason for the drowning they cited storms which may become more frequent as a result of changes in the sea ice. Monnett resigned from his post with the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and in return the agency cleared the reprimand in his files, reinstated his 2010 Cooperative Conservation Award and paid the scientist USD 100,000 (AD). While Monnett is referred to as “whistleblower” and as target of a “witch hunt” (HP, SCV), the drowned polar bears quickly became the poster child for the global warming movement (Fox News), and his case presents interesting questions on the role politics plays in government-sponsored research in the Arctic.
Climate
A numerical geothermal model has been developed by Taylor et al. for the Beaufort Sea shelf in Canada to predict the permafrost evolution since the Last Interglacial (Journal of Geophysical Research).
Flora and fauna
New study shows heavy rainfall killing peregrine chicks - causes are hypothermia and flooded nests. Have a look at the picture of the 25-day-old peregrine falcons! (NN).
Wolves continue to pose a threat to the herds in Yakutia (AIR, in Russian).
The National Park “Russian Arctic” expands its boundaries (AIR, in Russian).
Environmentalists and oil companies continue to work to preserve the walrus in the Barents Sea (AIR, in Russian).
Northern Coastal Marine Studies – the Nahidik program – environmental research of the coastal Canadian Beaufort Sea (Journal of Marine Systems).
MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE
Putin: Russia will ramp up presence in Arctic in response to U.S.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has stated that the assumed presence of U.S. nuclear submarines in the Arctic leaves Russia little choice but to increase its presence in the region (RealClearDefense, Time). Putin acknowledged that he does not envision conflict with the U.S., and expressed hope that the two countries could cooperate on many issues (ABC). J. Michael Cole provides a good overview of the “militarization” taking place across the Russian Arctic and its implications for other Arctic states (The Diplomat). Russia’s various armed services are following Putin’s directives and are looking to increase Arctic operations over the coming year. On the heels of reestablishing a navy base and airfield in the region, the Russian Air Force announced that expanding its presence in the Arctic would be a priority next year (BO); in March, Airborne Forces will conduct joint training exercises in the region (VOR and ITAR-TASS). Is all this talk of the militarization of Russia’s Arctic overblown? Experts at the Russian International Affairs Committee sure think so (RussiaList).
United States
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy Plans and Programs Sharon Burke discusses the Pentagon’s 2013 Arctic Strategy (Federal News Radio). Units in Fairbanks participated in Operation Legion Avalanche, “a battalion training event focusing on developing survival skills and conducting battle drills in an arctic environment” (DVIDS).
Canada
Canada’s Arctic Secrets a Spy Target: Experts (Toronto Sun).
MINING
A blimp race for the Arctic
Mines across the north face a common challenge of transporting massive amounts of material to and from mine sites in remote locations that often lack roads and infrastructure. To solve this dilemma, some clever entrepreneurs are looking at old technology: zeppelins. A new generations of zeppelins in development are much more dependable than their previous designs, can haul tons of material long distance on precious little fuel, and don’t even require a landing strip. An article this week in Bloomberg looks at several Russian mining interests that are considering zeppelins to support mining projects in remote areas of eastern Siberia. Meanwhile, CNN reports that an American zeppelin start-up has signed an agreement with Icelandic Cargo to develop a freight cargo service to serve Arctic destinations. Can we now speak of a blimp race for the Arctic?
Promising diamond prospects in Canada, Russia
Mining company Alrosa is planning to ramp up diamond production in the Arkhangelsk region of the Russian Arctic from around 630,000 carats this year to 4.3 million carats by 2019 (AIR, in Russian). The increased production will account for a full 10% of Alrosa’s accumulated production (BO). Meanwhile in Nunavut, Canada, Peregrine Diamonds announced that one of the kimberlite pipes on its Chidliak diamond project could contain 2.7 carats per ton, making it one of the richest diamond deposits in the world (NN, CBC). In Canada’s Northwest Territories, the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board has approved the land use permit for the Gahcho Kué diamond mine (CMJ); and Deepak International donated a 1.1 carat diamond from its inventory as the prize for an annual northern travel contest, though the companies take-over of a diamond processing plant in Yellowknife has hit some snags (NJ).
Canada
While mines across Canada’s north are facing the challenge of falling commodity prices, mines in Quebec are particularly stressed by policy and regulatory changes that have increased uncertainty for the mining sector, according to a new report from the Fraser Institute.
Greenland
The European Union’s Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment of Development of the Arctic provides another great resource this week: an assessment of the mineral resources of Greenland by Minik T. Rosing.
Harsh criticism of GME in Australian press (Martin Breum, in Danish).
Finland
FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS
A bad week for the fishing industry
Despite fishing restrictions on both the American and Canadian side of the border, the 2012 Chinook salmon run (a.k.a “kings” for the Alaskans) on the Yukon River was among the worst on record, if not the worst ever. First Nations in Yukon, however, say reducing their quotas would be “like trying to squeeze blood from a rock” (YN). In response to the dire situation, Yukon First Nation leaders asked the U.S. government to meet their obligations under the Pacific Salmon treaty, which guarantees that at least 40,000 Yukon River salmon will reach Canada each year (AD). In Russia, the “necessity to save crabs’ breeding places” gave rise to a draft order by the Ministry of Agriculture. The document provides for the total prohibition of crab fishing in a great part of the exclusive economic zone of the Barents Sea (BN). Probably a more positive piece of news for the fishing industry is the agreement on fishing quotas reached between Russia and Greenland (AIR, in Russian).
Finland’s economy: hoping for a greener future?
Nordea downgraded its growth forecasts for the Finnish economy for the years 2014 and 2015 and lowered its prediction for 2013 from a 0.5 to a 1% contraction, indicating that the economy’s performance is below expectations (AD). Five possible reasons for this are explored in an article on Alaska Dispatch: challenging exports markets, faltering domestic demand, the loss of industrial footing, an aging population, and poor competitiveness (AD). In addition, Finland’s production of reindeer meat is declining, despite a continuous demand (AD). Offering a different perspective, Finland’s Minister of Environment Ville Niinistö focused on the Barents region’s opportunities for developing a green economy with the production of renewable and clean energy (BO).
Shipping
Spend money on needed Arctic icebreakers to assert U.S. interests (Seattle Times).
Working on a proposal for a marine Arctic strategy (KNR, in Danish).
Other business and economic news
2014 Northern Lights Business and Cultural Showcase will be held from January 29 to February 1 in Ottawa (The Labradorian).
19 best places to shop – a guide to shopping adventure in northern Canada (Up Here).
Where trappers gather – Thompson’s Fur Table in Manitoba (Up Here).
HEALTH, EDUCATION, SOCIETY AND CULTURE
Murmansk Blogger Faces Mental Evaluation, Raids
Aleksandr Serebryanikov, perhaps better known as “Blogger51,” is to go through a psychiatric evaluation as part of the ongoing investigation surrounding his alleged violation of paragraph 282 of the Russian Criminal Code (BO). On December 5, FSB investigators raided his home and the home of his parents, searching for evidence supporting Serebryanikov’s “extremist” motives (BO). Outside observers such as the St. Petersburg-based Citizens Watch and Bjørn Engesland, Secretary General at the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, find the developments in the case “frightening,” saying a forced mental examination “shows how far Putin’s authoritarian regime is willing to go in order to silence the opposition” (BO).
Canadians Mourn Religious and Political Leaders
Yukon residents remembered Father Jean-Marie Mouchet, a ski instructor and priest who helped Inuvik’s Firth sisters to the Olympics and received an “almost unheard of” amount of respect from the Gwich’in people of Old Crow (YN). Communities in Nunavut mourned Father Joseph Meeus (better known as Father Jusipi), who ministered for fifty-nine years in Nunavut and Nunavik and died in Winnipeg at eighty-six (NN). Canadian Inuit leaders also remembered Nelson Mandela, whose “battles against racism, inequality and poverty” as well as his teaching on the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation, “had deep meaning among Inuit” (EOTA).
The Government of the Northwest Territories has announced that it is moving its job recruitment efforts online (NJ), a change Northern Journal editorialized as possibly “the death knell of the newspaper industry in the NWT.”
TAI produced an event report on the North Norway European Office’s seminar “Humans in the Arctic,” and TAI advisor Heather Exner-Pirot wrote a blog post for Eye on the Arctic on mental health in Arctic communities.
A very interesting piece in Up Here titled “Hiding among us” tells the story of the secret lives of men and women on the run in the Canadian North.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Ross River Bridge Demolition on Hold Pending Second Opinion
The Yukon government’s plans to demolish the Ross River suspension bridge have been put on hold. The proposed demolition was prompted by a report issued last month warned that the bridge “was at risk of imminent collapse,” but the government has agreed to have another engineering firm study the feasibility of repairing the bridge. The bridge was built in 1942 by the U.S. Army as part of the Canol Road project (YN, CBC).
Canada
The Fort Chipewyan Winter Road opened for business Saturday, 7 December (CBC).
Russia
Yamal authorities plan to sign a memorandum of support with the Transport Ministry in support of a series of infrastructure projects, including the 707km Northern Latitude Railway connecting Ob to Korotchaevo (AIR, in Russian).
Chukotka to build new deep-water port (AIR, in Russian).
Throughput of port Arkhangelsk down 5.7% (Portnews).
United States
Arctic Fibre Reveals Alaska Broadband Plans (Alaska Public Media).
SPORTS
Alaska Gears up for Sled Dog Racing Season
Less than three months remain before the start of the sine qua non of Arctic sports – the Iditarod. Missing from the field are the race’s only five-time champion, Rick Swenson, and four-time champion Lance Mackey, who has indicated he will not compete in the 2014 edition of the race. However, all of 2013’s top-ten finishers are set to compete, and organizers expect the race to be “ultracompetitive” (AD). Meanwhile, the 2014 Yukon Quest race will kick off 1 February in Fairbanks, with two former champions – Hugh Neff and John Schandelmeier – signing on this week to compete (FNM).
Canada
Northern Journal profiles NWT biathlete Brendan Green.
IMAGES AND VIDEO
Nunatsiaq News posted photos of polar bear guard training, students wrapping holiday gifts, Christmas tree decorating at the Nunavut legislature, and daylight disappearing in Nunavut. The U.S. Department of the Interior tweeted photos of ANWR and Gates of the Arctic NP, and Finding True North tweeted a shot of clouds over Frobisher Bay. This week’s photo essays include “Got Milk Run? Why I Love Flying in the Canadian Arctic,” a feature on Svalbard by Roving Light Travel Photography, and a New Yorker Magazine series on the Inuit Of Nunavut.
To learn how to sing a Christmas in Inupiaq, see this YouTube video. Also check out Tuurngait, an animated short set in the Arctic.
Abbreviation Key
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN)
Aftenbladet (AB)
Alaska Business Monthly (ABM)
Alaska Dispatch (AD)
Alaska Journal of Commerce (AJC)
Alaska Native News (ANN)
Alaska Public Media (APM)
Anchorage Daily News (ADN)
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 (FNM)
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)
Moscow Times (MT)
Nature World News (NMN)
National Geographic (NG)
Natural Gas Europe (NGE)
Naval Today (NT)
New York Times (NYT)
Northern Journal (NJ)
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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