The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of 12 February, 2024
New Study: Polar Bears Risk Starvation Due to More Time on Land
As reported by The Guardian on February 13, a new study published in Nature Communications has found that polar bears risk starvation as they struggle to adapt to more time on land due to melting sea ice. Using video camera GPS collars to track the polar bears for three years, the researchers observed that the bears were incredibly intelligent, but their efforts to find food on land did not provide them with enough calories to match their normal diets. Of the 20 bears in the project, 19 lost weight during the study. (The Guardian)
Take 1: The new findings that polar bears are struggling to find enough food on land as sea ice melts is deeply concerning and upsetting, especially since polar bears were once common symbols of the climate crisis. However, the study also draws attention to the multitude of other species in the Arctic that rely on sea ice and are increasingly at risk as the region dramatically transforms due to climate change. For instance, seals and walruses depend on sea ice for shelter, rest, and to raise their young. As the sea ice extent decreases, many are losing their habitats and spending more time on land, bringing them closer to predators. Additionally, warming temperatures have resulted in more rain in the region, creating a hard layer of ice as it freezes on the ground. This ice makes it difficult for reindeer and muskox to graze, leading to starvation. In the winter of 2013, over 60,000 reindeers starved to death in the Yamal peninsula of Russia due to a layer of ice cutting off their food supply. Although the Arctic’s specialized wildlife are resourceful, the rapid pace of climate change in the region may be too much for them to adequately adapt. Thus, the new research provides additional evidence of the risks to Arctic wildlife and the need to protect these unique species. (Marine Mammal Commission, The Conversation, World Wildlife Fund)
Alaskapox Spreads Beyond Fairbanks: First Fatal Case
As reported by the Alaska Beacon on February 9, state health officials in Alaska have announced that an elderly man on the Kenai Peninsula has died from Alaskapox. The case marks the first human fatality from the disease and is also the first human infection outside of the Fairbanks area. Authorities stated that the patient’s immune system was already compromised due to prior medical conditions. Previous cases of the disease typically involved mild illnesses. Alaskapox, which was first detected in 2015, is also related to monkeypox and smallpox. (Alaska Beacon)
Take 2: The fact that the Alaskapox has spread beyond the Fairbanks area highlights the role of climate change in increasing viral transmission. Since its initial detection, investigators have noted that the reservoir for the Alaskapox virus is small mammals, especially voles, which are a type of rodent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warming temperatures in the Arctic have led to an increase in the vole population, spreading the virus. As temperatures in the region continue to rise, the population could grow even more, transmitting the disease further. This phenomenon, known as viral spillover or when viruses cross from one species to another, can become more common as additional wildlife spreads into the warming Arctic. This was already seen in 2022 when bird flu was detected on Svalbard, marking the first time the virus was detected that far up in the Arctic. In 2024, the first polar bear also died from bird flu, emphasizing the vulnerability of Arctic wildlife as many have never encountered such viruses. Moreover, deep permafrost has trapped microorganisms and diseases for tens of thousands of years. As one of the few environments not exposed to modern antibiotics, increasing permafrost thaw due to global warming could potentially release antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Thus, warming in the Arctic could facilitate the spread of disease, posing a serious risk to public and ecological health. (Alaska Beacon, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Polar Journal, The Guardian)
Russia Ends Annual Payments to the Arctic Council
As reported by Reuters on February 13, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Russia has suspended its annual payments to the Arctic Council until real work resumes with the participation of all member countries. About one third of the Council’s 130 projects have been paused since cooperation with Russia ended. The ministry also stated that Russia does not intend to leave the Council at this time, but may reconsider its position if the institution becomes unfriendly to the country. (Reuters)
Take 3: The announcement by the Russian foreign ministry that it will be suspending annual payments to the Arctic Council is worrying; however, it does not necessarily indicate that the institution is near its end. Cooperation with Russia in the Arctic Council has been suspended since March 2022, after the seven other Arctic states paused their involvement in the Council due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Shortly after, Arctic projects that did not require Russian participation were resumed. Therefore, while some of the operations of the Arctic Council may be slightly affected by the suspension of annual payments, financial contributions to the Arctic Council are primarily used to support specific projects with direct involvement from the country. As Arctic Council activities with Russia remain paused, this decision will likely not hinder any ongoing projects. Additionally, Russia has signaled that it has no plans to withdraw from the organization, and it has recently taken steps to restart the work of the Council, such as agreeing on new guidelines for the Arctic Council’s working groups to resume their activities. This contrasts with Russia’s position on withdrawing from other international institutions, such as the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. As Russia is a key part of the Arctic, successful cooperation in the region must include Russia. Thus, countries must continue to develop pathways to ensure Russia’s sustained participation in the Arctic Council. (Foreign Policy, High North News, Reuters, The Arctic Institute)
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls March Takes Place in Montreal
As reported by Nunatsiaq News on February 15, hundreds of people gathered in Montreal, Canada for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls protest march on February 14. For 33 years, marches have taken place on Valentine’s Day to call on the government to take action to make communities safer for Indigenous women and girls. In particular, this year’s march drew attention to Linda “Charlie” Uqaituk Kirshner, a 15-year-old girl who has been missing since August 17, 2023, and Alasie Tukkiapik, a woman who was missing for six months and found dead last year. (Nunatsiaq News)
Take 4: Sexual and gender based violence is a serious issue across the Arctic and rates of violence women experience at home are high in Arctic states, particularly against Indigenous women. For instance, the rate of violent crime against Inuit women in Nunavut is 13 times higher than the rest of Canada. While there is no singular cause for the high levels of violence in Arctic communities, research has indicated that the isolated location of Arctic settlements, difficult social and economic conditions, and substance abuse could be contributing factors. Additionally, forced cultural assimilation through colonial policies have instilled Western perspectives of gender on Indigenous communities, shifted gender roles, and caused intergenerational trauma. These aggressive policies, combined with the rapidly changing Arctic environment due to climate change, contribute to the loss of traditional ways of life, adding additional stress that can drive violence. Although research and assessments have revealed that rates of violence are high in the Arctic, more work is needed to reduce violence and create safe spaces that protect community members. For example, according to Pauktuutit, a non-profit advocating for Inuit women in Canada, more than 70% of the 53 Inuit communities across the Canadian Arctic do not have a shelter for women and children experiencing family violence. While the Arctic presents unique challenges to addressing violence, governments must take action to ensure a safe Arctic. (Arctic Human Development Report, Pauktuutit, Public Safety Canada, Sustainability)
Norway’s Main Intelligence Agencies Identify Russia as Main Threat
As reported by The Barents Observer on February 12, the Norwegian Intelligence Service, the Police Security Service, and the Norwegian National Security Authority have released new annual reports identifying Russia as the main threat against the country. The three intelligence authorities warn that Norway faces serious risks, particularly to its extensive underwater infrastructure. The reports note that Russia has mapped Norway’s oil and gas infrastructure, expanded its deep water capabilities, and actively uses civilian vessels for operations in Norwegian waters. (The Barents Observer)
Take 5: Underwater cables and pipelines are essential to modern infrastructure. These vital links provide connectivity, transmit large amounts of data, and transport critical resources. However, despite their importance, underwater infrastructure is also highly vulnerable, prompting many countries, like Russia, to invest considerably in capabilities that could threaten these components. In particular, Russia’s Main Directorate for Deep Sea Research (GUGI) within the Ministry of Defense has a key role in targeting these maritime assets. The GUGI has a number of specialized submarines that can operate at extreme depths. Additionally, the GUGI also operates surface vessels that nominally act as research vessels. These ships are often used to gather intelligence and are equipped with submersibles and autonomous underwater vehicles that can sabotage subsea infrastructure. Such activity highlights the potential for dual-use or utilizing civilian applications for military purposes. In recent years, Russia has increasingly used research and fishing vessels for intelligence gathering missions as they pass near oil and gas fields, wind farms, critical subsea infrastructure, and military training areas. These reconnaissance missions are usually carried out on top of their commercial or scientific activity, providing significant knowledge that could be advantageous in conflict situations and the first step towards sabotage. Therefore, these reports provide additional evidence that countries must remain vigilant and take measures to secure their underwater infrastructure as tensions increase in the Arctic. (Politico, The Royal United Services Institute, Wall Street Journal)