The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of 12 September, 2022
Canadian Yukon Reports Emissions Drop Per Person
As reported by CBC News on September 12, the Government of Yukon has released its second annual report on progress towards “Our Clean Future: A Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy”. The report shows that greenhouse gas emissions in the territory dropped 12% in 2020 below 2019 levels, but does not include mining-related pollutants. Although overall emissions levels have increased compared to 2010, they have decreased per capita. The goal of putting the Yukon on a path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is also spelled out in the report. (CBC News)
Take 1: The North of Canada is undergoing climate change more quickly than the global average. According to the national Canada’s Changing Climate Report, the annual average temperature over northern Canada has increased by 2.3°C (36.14°F) since 1948 due to human activities. The Yukon is a prime example of how global warming continues to have a negative impact on communities, ecosystems, and residents’ quality of life. About 280 cubic kilometers of sea ice is being lost every year, and the ice that is remaining is thinning. Over the past 50 years rainfall in the territory has grown by 6%, increasing the danger of floods, particularly in urban areas. Even though the government is aware of the problem’s severity and intends to reduce emissions by 45%, there is still much work to be done. Such top-down initiatives can be made more effective with the cooperation with Indigenous groups, environmental organizations, the renewable energy sector, and municipal governments. (CBC News)
State-of-the-Art Russian Submarines Tested in the Barents Sea
As reported by The Barents Observer on September 13, the most advanced submarines ever built by the Russian shipyard Sevmash are being tested in the Barents Sea. The Krasnoyark and Generalissimo Suvorav vessels are expected to enter the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet before the end of the year. (The Barents Observer)
Take 2: Over the past decade, Moscow’s military aspirations in the High North have substantially increased. Said to represent the pinnacle of domestic nuclear submarine shipbuilding, it is apparent that Russia is following a pretty aggressive policy in the area in introducing warfare novelties such as these nuclear submarines into circulation. Just last weekend, Russia’s Northern Fleet‘s anti-submarine aviation also involved the Barents Sea in its tactical flight exercises to search for submarines. Despite these actions, Russia strongly denies the possibility of a war in the Arctic. Nevertheless, militarization is an ostentatious element of intimidation, which, however, can later play a dominant role in the distribution of forces in the region. So, to what extent can Russia’s promise be considered doubtful today? How soon will the expression ‘High North, Low Tension’ lose its meaning? After all, as the military maxim says – you train where you expect to fight, or at the very least, aim to deter potential adversaries. (ResearchGate, The New York Times)
Canadian Company to begin Construction on Gold Mine in Nunavut
As reported by CBC News on September 13, the Canadian precious metals company Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. plans to open a third gold mine in Nunavut in 2025. The construction of the new Goose mine within the longstanding Back River project is anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2023. The company, which has already signed agreements with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, is expected to provide financial and socio-economic benefits and employment opportunities for residents. (CBC News)
Take 3: Back in 2016, after a four-year environmental screening and assessment procedure, the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) rejected the Back River gold mine plan, citing an inability to effectively control and mitigate potential impacts on Nunavut’s ecology and socioeconomic systems. However, following an agreement to ensure protection measures for reindeer and other wildlife, NIRB changed its mind and gave Sabina the green light in 2017. The company has additionally entered into a 20-year renewable land use agreement which includes the Inuit Impacts and Benefits Agreement, a formal contract between Inuit groups and a corporate or government project that explains its negative and positive implications and specifies how Inuit communities will benefit. Of course, the effective participation of Indigenous communities in the coordination of such projects in the Arctic is an extremely important milestone in the post-colonial era. But can these contemporary benefits outweigh the need to protect their centuries-old traditional foundations? After all, gold mining is still one of the most destructive industries, despite the company’s claims of commitment to minimal environmental impact. (Nunatsiaq News, The Polar Connection)
Year-Round View of Arctic Sea Ice Now Possible
As reported by Phys.org on September 14, a recent research paper published in Nature demonstrates a new approach that allows for year-round measurement of Arctic sea ice thickness. The international team of scientists used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyze previous data from satellites and develop the first-ever dataset displaying full-year sea ice thickness across the Arctic. (Phys.org)
Take 4: Since the increase in polar shipping associated with sea ice loss is no longer likely to be avoided, finding tools to mitigate the future risks of this activity is necessary. Despite the lengthening of the shipping season, several Arctic areas still remain impassible for safe year-round navigation due to the persistence of sea ice. A high risk connected with floating ice brings up additional dangers even when operating under conditions defined as safe by the internationally agreed Polar Code standards. For instance, transiting ships operating in the Canadian Arctic are jeopardized by changing sea ice dynamics caused by the extraordinary environmental changes in the region. Given these perils, there are still serious gaps in understanding how the state of maritime navigation might change as a result of sea ice reduction. Previously, clear satellite observations of the Arctic ocean were only available between October and March due to the glare caused by melting ice present in the summer months. But now, the new monitoring approach will also allow monitoring during the summer season even when ice melt is at its highest. Such a breakthrough will certainly have broad implications- not only for shipping, but for a range of concerns from across weather forecasting to climate modeling. (BBC News, Nature, ResearchGate)
Alarming Amounts of Plastic Waste are Present on Iceland’s Seafloor
As reported by Morgunblaðið on September 14, a new report published by the Icelandic Marine and Freshwater Research Institute shows that the trash amount on the seabed around Iceland is four times more than on the coast of Norway. Between 2010 and 2019, a total of 272 pieces of trash were discovered, compared to 230 pieces per km² throughout Norway. Using underwater remotely operated vehicles, the study discovered that fishing gear made up 94.1% of the rubbish detected and only 5.9% of ordinary plastic waste. (Morgunblaðið)
Take 5: Plastic pollution is already prevalent in the Arctic, even in places like the deep seafloor where no major human activity can be detected. Plastics from both local and distant sources are transferred via aquatic and atmospheric circulation processes, which can stimulate their buildup in certain areas. For the Arctic marine environment, this local pollution mainly comes from the maritime industry: from hydrocarbon exploration, ship traffic, and fisheries. Some of the most significant plastic waste in northern regions comes from lost or discarded fishing equipment, a major threat to sensitive habitats such as coral reefs. Besides, getting entangled in plastic debris can have detrimental effects such as injury, restriction of movement, and suffocation. Plastic swallowing can lead to exposure to hazardous environmental contaminants or chemicals used during manufacturing. Since plastic pollution undoubtedly poses a serious threat to Arctic biodiversity, it is important to keep tracking where plastic accumulates in order to eliminate it afterward. Studying its impact on Arctic ecosystems requires attention as well. (Arctic Council, Nature)