Facts About the Arctic in August 2023
We have grandchildren visiting this week, so it seems prudent to get the new open thread started a day early, and before they wake up! The ARCUS Sea Ice Prediction Network July report has recently been published. Here’s the graphic…
As climate change transforms the Arctic, Homeland Security must adapt, official says
For the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which has a combination of public safety, emergency response and law-enforcement functions, climate change is creating new challenges for which old responses are no longer adequate, a top department official said on Tuesday….
Russia’s effort to mobilise the Arctic creates environmental concerns
Severomorsk, situated in the Barents Sea, serves as the strategic base for the Russian navy’s Northern Fleet. Notably, since 2014, when Russia initiated its invasion of eastern Ukraine, the port has assumed a pivotal role as the primary administrative centre…
Putin cancels meeting with military leaders in Arctic
The president’s planned visit to Severomorsk, the Northern Fleet headquarters, was reportedly cancelled due to “bad weather.” Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kola Peninsula had not been publicly announced beforehand. But it was still evident that something was in the…
China’s research icebreaker Xuelong 2 enters Arctic Circle, to begin scientific research work
China’s research icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, has entered the Arctic Circle and is about to carry out its 13th Arctic Ocean scientific research work, CCTV reported. The expedition is intended to conduct investigations into the geology and…
Tony Heller’s Faithful Flock of Sheep
My Arctic alter ego was checking out the new “X” rated edition of Twitter when “she” couldn’t help but notice that Elon Musk had allowed Tony Heller back into the climate “debate” thereon, albeit with a new handle. “Snow White”…
Report highlights growing importance of defence in Arctic
The Scottish Affairs Committee calls on the UK Government to re-assess its defence presence in Scotland in the face of new threats in the North Atlantic and High North region, as it publishes the third report of its inquiry into…
GT Voice: Arctic cooperation is of great significance to China, Russia
With sea ice melting in the summer, the commercial value of the Arctic shipping route is back in the spotlight, which is an important area where China and Russia have potential and should strengthen collaboration. With the navigation season along…
Arctic Navigation Season Opens as Tankers Sail the Northern Sea Route
Three oil tankers are preparing to meet in the Arctic waters of the Kara Sea, marking the opening of the navigation season along Russia’s Northern Sea Route. Two Aframax tankers, carrying 730,000 barrels of Urals crude, are heading from Baltic…
Scientists Unravel Evolutionary History of Arctic Flora
A team led by Prof. WANG Wei from the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IBCAS) has unraveled the evolutionary history of the Arctic flora. The study was published in Nature Communications. The Arctic tundra, to the…