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Russia Routes Unreinforced Oil Tankers Through Northern Arctic for First Time
As reported by the Barents Observer on September 12, Russia has authorized unreinforced oil tankers to carry out a 3,500 mile journey along Russia’s northern coast to China. Departing from the port of Murmansk on September 11, 2023, the non-ice class oil tanker, Leonid Loza, is navigating its way towards Ningbo, China, via Russia’s Northern Sea Route through the Bering Strait. The journey is expected to take 35 days. This action comes as Russia looks to deliver its crude oil to China following the EU and U.K.’s bans on imports of Russian crude oil. (Financial Times, NPR, OceanConservancy)
Take 1: Russia’s push to develop the Northern Sea Route has been a decade in the making. While a warming climate has allowed for the possibility of this shorter sailing route, using non-ice-class tankers significantly increases the likelihood of catastrophic Arctic oil spills in the Bering Strait. The Bering Strait is one of the largest wildlife migration areas on Earth, and this dangerous and hazardous expedition shows a disregard for environmental safeguards. Benefiting from the new summer conditions (a direct result of a warming climate) to potentially create more pollution forms a feedback loop with dire consequences. While Rosatam, the Russian agency responsible for regulating the Northern Sea Route, has emphasized their prioritization of environmental conditions, environmental advisors argue that conditions remain hazardous even in the summer. While this trip may not end in an oil spill, it raises concerns about the Northern Route’s potential to become a frequent route for oil shipments.. If this does become the case, chances of an oil spill are likely, and ecological damage could mean drastic changes to wildlife migrations and the health of the Arctic’s nutrient-abundant marine ecosystems. (OceanConservancy, NPR)
Caribou Concerns at Nunavut Mine Extension Meeting
On September 19, a public hearing was held regarding Agnico Eagle’s proposal to extend the lifespan of the Meliadine gold mine near Rankin Inlet to 2043 by introducing a wind farm. This would be Nunavut’s first mine powered by wind turbines. The Nunavut Impact Review Board conducted the hearing, which saw significant concerns raised by the Kangigliniq Hunters and Trappers Organization and others about the potential impact of the wind farm on the Qamanirjuaq caribou herd, one of the largest in Canada, especially since the turbines would be close to caribou calving grounds. The proximity to the herd’s habitat and potential migration disruptions are primary issues of debate. (CBCNews)
Take 2: Hunting is an important practice in Northern communities for both food sovereignty and cultural significance. A major disruption to caribou habitats could dramatically alter the hunting practices the Kivalliq Inuit depend on. While powering a mine through wind turbines is a more environmentally friendly route for mining, it’s not without its complexities. Listening to and valuing the opinions of Elders and locals in Northern and remote communities can foster stronger relationships and more effective infrastructure. After all, who knows the land better than the people who have lived there for millennia? One suggestion for the wind turbines would be allowing a threshold for shutting down the mine when caribou are at a certain distance. This might be an effective compromise , but extensive planning and risk analysis should be taken to ensure the future of caribou habitat and hunting practices is not affected for future generations. The public hearing underscores the need for amplifying Northern voices, especially on matters that directly impact their land and traditions. Caribou aren’t familiar with wind turbines, and their response to such structures is unpredictable. Data from the mine near Rankin Inlet indicates an increase in operational pauses due to the presence of caribou. This suggests the animals may already be affected by existing infrastructure and underscores the need for strong safety and conservation measures if the proposal moves forward. (AgnicoEagleMInes, CBCNews)
Russia Formally Withdraws from Barents Cooperation
As reported by The Barents Observer on September 18, a press release from Russia’s Foreign Ministry declared that “under the current conditions,” the Russian Federation has decided to withdraw from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC). This decision comes after the Nordic countries suspended their formal cooperation with Russia following their invasion of Ukraine. The BEAC’s current chair, Finland, was set to transfer leadership to Russia this fall; however, they did not confirm their readiness to do so, which has played a role in Russia’s decision. (The Barents Observer, High North News)
Take 3: Established in 1993, the Barents Cooperation has facilitated cross-border contacts between the northernmost regions of Finland, Sweden, Norway, and northwest Russia. Within this framework, the BEAC, as the official body for intergovernmental collaboration, has a two-year rotation between Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia for its chair, with Finland currently in that role. With several nations having stakes in the Arctic, cooperation through structures like the Barents cooperation becomes crucial. Such cooperation relies on trust and respect. When these values are eroded, international governance faces challenges. With Russia’s recent actions, especially with the war in Ukraine, many nations are reassessing their relationships with Russia. The Barents region was an area of military confrontation during the Cold War, and initiatives like BEAC were founded to mitigate those tensions and ensure a cooperative spirit. Russia’s decision to withdraw raises questions about their commitment to regional collaboration and threatens the fragile equilibrium in the Arctic. This move also highlights a broader pattern of Russian disengagement from international forums and treaties, and their status in cooperative diplomacy. The remaining BEAC members now face evolving security challenges and must adapt their cooperation mechanisms. The unfolding of these tense relationships will no doubt increase geopolitical and geoeconomic struggles, and strong alliances will become more important than ever as countries fight over power and resources in the Arctic. (Caspian News, High North News)
Solar Panels Installed in Svalbard as Pilot Project
As reported by EuroNews on September 19, Norway has installed the world’s northernmost ground solar panels in the Svalbard archipelago. The pilot project, led by the state-owned energy company Store Norske, hopes to assist remote Arctic communities transition to green energy. In the summer, the panels will take advantage of the midnight sun that never sets, while in the winter, their operations will be supported by fossil fuels. The project’s goal is to use this technology to power 1,500 other sites in the region. (EuroNews, TheHindu)
Take 4: Transitioning to green energy is vital yet challenging, particularly in isolated regions unfamiliar with it. If this pilot project develops to its 1,500 site potential, it will represent a significant step towards mitigating climate change while showcasing the remarkable adaptability of clean energy technologies. Such an achievement will position Norway as a front-runner in renewable energy innovation, setting a precedent for other remote and environmentally sensitive regions. It is an interesting approach to use solar panels in an area that gets extreme conditions of sunlight and darkness, and this could further incentivize solar panel designs that can collect massive amounts of sunlight and conserve energy for long periods of time for year-round Arctic use. Accessing resources in isolated areas often poses logistical challenges. Hence, a consistent and locally-sourced energy solution simplifies the challenges of living and working in the Arctic. This project not only offers practical solutions but also holds symbolic value, showing that even in the world’s harshest climates, sustainable energy is attainable. (EuroNews)
Experts Find Explanation for Warm Water Inflow Variations in the Arctic
As reported by Science X on September 21, researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute have uncovered the reasons behind variations in the amount of water that the Atlantic delivers to the Arctic along the Norwegian coast. Published in Communications Earth & Environment on September 21, 2023, the team of researchers investigated the deviations from typical North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) patterns, which are atmospheric pressure differences, that shape the currents off of Norway. They found that the phenomenon is caused by powerful, nearly stationary high-pressure areas that push fast-moving low-pressure areas out of their normal track, causing a decoupling of the NAO and northward flow of warm water. (Nature, ScienceX)
Take 5: The NAO is a well-studied phenomenon among climate scientists as it explains weather patterns and is important in predicting future patterns. The NAO directly impacts the influx of warm water into the Arctic, affecting winter sea ice levels, marine ecosystems, and mid-latitude weather patterns. Deviations from typical NAO patterns mean a significant variable is lost in the understanding of Arctic climate and ecosystem patterns. Global climate models simulate climate processes at very coarse resolutions, and adding this detail will help improve accuracy in climate modelling. While this phenomenon has been observed in the Arctic, it is helpful in climate and weather models at mid-latitudes as well, given that the transport of warm water and low pressure over the Atlantic affects these regions. While this is a big step in climate model accuracy, it is important to note that the observational data used to compare the ocean models goes back roughly 40 years, so the frequency of these deviations is still uncertain. This discovery sheds light on the intricate web of interactions that are reshaping the Arctic, with implications that reach beyond the region, and highlights important factors that still need to be further studied and understood to create even more precise climate models, which ultimately help shape climate understanding, risk analysis, and policymaking. (Nature, ScienceX)
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