The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of 12 December, 2022
US National Defense Bill Authorizes Funding for Arctic Security
As reported by Anchorage Daily News on December 14, the US Congress is set to pass the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA), which includes several provisions on Arctic security measures in Alaska. The bill will provide spending to expand the Port of Nome to accommodate Arctic vessels, improve mental health resources for cold-weather military personnel, and authorize $150 million for the Coast Guard to purchase a privately owned icebreaker. The House of Representatives has already passed the NDAA, and the Senate is expected to vote on the matter in the next few days. (Anchorage Daily News)
Take 1: The National Defense Authorizations Act’s provisions on the Arctic illustrate the growing priority of the region to the US government. While the bill contains several measures to strengthen Arctic security, the authorization of additional funds for another icebreaker is particularly important. With only two working icebreakers, the US is facing a critical shortage of the specialized vessels. The Polar Star, the US Coast Guard’s heavy polar icebreaker, is now 46 years old and has suffered multiple mechanical failures in recent years. While the Healy is a more modern ship, it is only a medium icebreaker and is largely dedicated to scientific research. Although the Arctic sea ice is rapidly diminishing, the region remains dangerous, and large areas continue to be covered in ice at certain times of the year. This lack of icebreaking capability reduces the US’ ability to operate in the Arctic, such as conducting research, responding to emergencies, and defending its interests in the region. With economic activity and maritime shipping growing, there will be a greater need for coast guard operations in the Arctic, including fishery enforcement, countering smuggling, environmental protection, and search and rescue. Although the US has already authorized three icebreakers for the US Coast Guard, construction has been delayed, and the first is not expected to be delivered until at least 2025. Therefore, the decision to include the purchase and conversion of a privately owned icebreaker could speed up the process of developing a US icebreaker fleet. (Arctic Today, Center for Strategic and International Studies, RAND Corporation)
Pond Inlet Announces Solar Energy Project
As reported by Nunatsiaq News on December 14, the hamlet of Pond Inlet in Nunavut, Canada, will use $1 million in federal funding from the Community Infrastructure Partnership Program to add a second solar energy project to the community. The 150-kilowatt solar energy system will be installed on the roof of the community hall. The system will be delivered to the hamlet by ship via the sea lift in September 2023. (Nunatsiaq News)
Take 2: With the announcement of the new solar energy system, the hamlet of Pond Inlet joins several other communities in the Canadian Arctic working to reduce their dependence on diesel. Due to their remote location, many Arctic settlements rely heavily on fossil fuels like diesel for power and heat generation. However, reliance on these fuels is a crucial issue for numerous Arctic Indigenous communities because of the negative impacts on the environment and the health of Indigenous peoples. Given their location, diesel fuel must be imported to Indigenous communities, but the lack of road connections and harsh weather conditions can make transportation difficult and even delay the delivery of the vital resource. Additionally, burning diesel produces large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, which further contributes to the problem of climate change in the already vulnerable region. This includes black carbon, or soot, which is a climate pollutant that is especially harmful in the Arctic because of how it darkens and accelerates the melting of snow and ice. Thus, there is an urgent need for Arctic communities to transition to cleaner forms of energy. Although there are renewable energy technologies that are able to operate in Arctic conditions, many Arctic communities face significant financial and technical barriers to entry. Therefore, Pond Inlet’s solar energy project is an important contribution to the community, and the government should continue to support sustainable energy initiatives in the region. (Arctic Yearbook, Earth.org, Eye on the Arctic)
Arctic Seabirds Suffer Due to Climate Change
As reported by the Associated Press on December 13, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Arctic Report Card states that multiple species of seabirds in the Bering Strait region are dying due to starvation. Scientists and local communities have observed significant numbers of distressed and emaciated seabirds over the past six years. Most of the seabirds usually eat plankton, krill, or fish; however, the report notes that the birds may now be struggling to find enough food. (Associated Press)
Take 3: The growing number of starving seabirds in the Arctic is highly alarming and draws attention to the severe ecosystem shifts in the Arctic driven by climate change. An emerging issue in the Arctic is the spread of harmful algal blooms to the Arctic. These blooms consist of large amounts of algae or phytoplankton that produce deadly neurotoxins. As the basis of the Arctic food chain, harmful algae can affect numerous species, contributing to mass mortalities of fish, marine mammals, and as the report mentions, seabirds. Moreover, warming temperatures are increasing the risk of disease. As the region warms, new species are moving into the Arctic, bringing new pathogens with them as well. These viruses are not only a threat to public health, but they are also a serious danger to birds. Earlier this year, bird flu was detected on Svalbard, marking the first time the avian flu virus has been recorded this far north. The loss of Arctic seabirds can additionally have severe consequences for Arctic Indigenous communities. Seabirds are essential to many coastal communities, which rely on the birds for food, traditional crafts, and as an economic resource. Thus, the significant decline of Arctic seabirds is concerning, and measures should be taken to protect the critical species. Seabirds serve as a warning to the world about the urgent state of the Arctic, and the clear message should compel countries to take stronger action to preserve the region. (earth.com, McGill University, NOAA, Polar Journal)
New Russia Gas Field: More Arctic LNG?
As reported by Energy Intelligence on December 12, Russian gas company Novatek announced in a statement that it has discovered a new gas field on the Gydan Peninsula. The gas field, named Girya Field, is estimated to contain 52 billion cubic meters of natural gas. The company stated that the discovery expands its resource base in the peninsula and could be developed in the future by its proposed Arctic LNG 1 project, which is currently in the exploration stage. (Energy Intelligence)
Take 4: The announcement from Novatek about the discovery of the new gas field in the Arctic is worrisome. The company’s Yamal LNG plant is already in operation, and its second plant in the region, Arctic LNG 2, is currently under construction. Although its Arctic LNG 1 project is still in the exploration stage, Novatek’s discovery of the new field could lead to the development of yet another liquified natural gas plant in the Arctic. This could have serious consequences for the region. Natural gas production contaminates large amounts of water, which could severely harm marine animals and the Arctic food chain. Liquified natural gas plants also increase shipping and maritime traffic, disturbing the ecosystem and further harming marine life through underwater noise pollution. Moreover, flaring or the burning of natural gas is a common part of the natural gas production process. Natural gas flaring contributes to global warming by emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. It also produces large amounts of black carbon or soot, which has a severe negative effect on the Arctic by accelerating sea ice melt. Therefore, natural gas production poses a serious risk to the Arctic ecosystem, which is already under significant stress from climate change. Novatek has not made plans to develop the Girya Field, but it remains a possibility. Although the international community does not have authority over Russian territory, it can discourage the development of natural gas in the Arctic by reducing demand, making gas production in the Arctic economically unviable. (The Arctic Institute, US Energy Information Agency, World Wildlife Fund)
First Phase of GoNorth Expedition Concludes
As reported by High North News on December 9, the first part of the polar research voyage GoNorth has concluded. The expedition, which explored the area north of Svalbard and the Nansen Basin, began on October 15 and aims to increase the knowledge of Norway’s northern waters. The voyage had 35 researchers, technicians, and students who collected new Arctic data, including seismic information and biological, water, ice, and sediment samples. The next phase of GoNorth will explore the Knipovich Ridge and other areas west of Svalbard. (High North News)
Take 5: The GoNorth expedition highlights the importance of Arctic research. Although countries have long supported Arctic science, more research is needed to address the growing issues in the region. One significant challenge for scientists is accurately predicting the nature and scale of climate change in the region. Sediment and ice samples, like the ones collected on the expedition, are valuable resources that provide a record of past changes in the Earth. These samples provide information about environmental events and conditions around the globe, which help scientists understand the sensitivity of the Arctic and other environments to global temperature changes. These measurements can also be used in simulations and models that help researchers calculate the risk to sea ice and assess potential changes to the region and the world in the future. With the Arctic warming four times faster than the rest of the world, Arctic research is essential, now more than ever. Yet, parts of the Arctic remain unknown, such as the area north of Svalbard, which has previously been unexplored due to ice and challenging conditions. Thus, expeditions like GoNorth provide new data that could fill data gaps and strengthen Arctic knowledge. Given the vital role of the Arctic in regulating the global ecosystem, countries should continue to support these voyages that gather essential information to help inform our response to the climate crisis. (British Antarctic Survey, NASA)