The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of 18 December, 2023
India Begins Annual Winter Arctic Expeditions
As reported by The Indian Express on December 18, India, under the leadership of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, has announced a commitment to annual winter expeditions to the Arctic. A maiden winter expedition, launched from Prithvi Bhavan in Delhi, aims to deepen understanding of Arctic warming and its impact on India’s climate. With a focus on the Ny-Alesund region of Svalbard, Norway, the four-member team, supported by Norwegian agencies, will contribute to research linking Arctic conditions to extreme precipitation events in India. (Deccan Herald, The Indian Express)
Take 1: India’s decision to begin annual winter expeditions to the Arctic signifies a big step forward in the nation’s commitment to advancing polar research, marking the first Asian nation to stay at the northernmost polar region throughout the year. Led by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, this strategic move reflects a proactive stance in understanding and addressing the consequences of Arctic warming on India’s climate. The launch of the inaugural winter expedition from Prithvi Bhavan in Delhi not only strengthens India’s voice at the Arctic Council but also emphasizes the nation’s recognition of the interconnectedness between distant regions. The four-member team, including experts from National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Raman Research Institute, IIT-Mandi, and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, showcases the collaboration involved in this undertaking. The Arctic-Indian monsoon relationship, highlighted by former MoES Secretary M Rajeevan, plays a large role in India’s year-round presence in the Arctic. The link between Arctic conditions and extreme precipitation events in India has been the leading reason behind this new research initiative. Collaborating with Norwegian agencies for logistical support demonstrates international cooperation, further enhancing India’s scientific standing in the global arena. However, India’s ambition goes further than just expeditions; the call for a dedicated polar exploration vessel signifies India’s aspirations to conduct independent, large-scale scientific research in the polar region. With an initial aim of conducting atmospheric observations during the polar nights, India is expanding their role in Arctic research, contributing to the greater scientific community, and emphasizing the continued growth in Arctic research from non-Arctic nations. (Deccan Herald, India Today, The Hindu, The Indian Express)
Scientists Introduce a New Approach to Studying The Arctic Seafloor
As reported by Mint Lounge on December 18, scientists at the US-based Sandia National Laboratories are using a new approach to study the changing Arctic seafloor. This approach uses an existing fiber optic cable off Oliktok Point in Alaska to determine the seismic structure of the Arctic seafloor up to 20 miles from shore. This is accomplished through a combination of distributed temperature sensing and acoustic sensing techniques. The findings were presented at the American Geophysical Union’s Fall Meeting in San Francisco on December 15. The new approach allows for continuous monitoring of temperature changes, enabling scientists to detect unexplained warm spots and seafloor seeps. (Mint Lounge, Phys Org)
Take 2: The research conducted in studying the Arctic seafloor through an existing fiber optic cable reflects a major stride in climate change exploration. The Arctic, experiencing increased warming than the rest of the world, demands innovative approaches, and Sandia’s application of distributed temperature sensing and acoustic sensing techniques is cutting-edge. This initiative goes beyond the challenges of the harsh Arctic climate, providing insights into seismic structures and temperature variations. The integration of laser light pulses and advanced sensing technologies allows scientist to map the extent of permafrost area at the bottom of the sea. This is crucial as permafrost, a layer of permanently frozen soil in colder areas of the world, is a growing concern to climate scientists. Moreover, their ability to identify seafloor seeps, carbon rich fluids that seep up from the seafloor, indicative of warming and environmental change, offers a tangible means for tracking the region’s transformation. The study aligns with the alarming fact that the Arctic witnessed its warmest summer on record, which contributed to severe wildfires and glacial melting. As climate change poses ongoing challenges, initiatives like Sandia’s play a major role in advancing our understanding and mitigating the consequences. The collaborative nature of this research also emphasizes the global importance of comprehending the Arctic’s dynamics. (Phys.org, Mint Lounge, Phys Org, Scientific American)
Western Arctic Caribou Herd Continues to Experience Heavy Decline
As reported by The Alaska Beacon on December 19, the Western Arctic Caribou Herd in Alaska, once the largest in the state and North America, is experiencing a continued decline, with the population now at 152,000 compared to 164,000 last year. This information, revealed in a recent survey conducted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, highlights a trend that has persisted since 2017 when the herd was estimated at 259,000. The caribou decline is attributed to factors such as climate change and industrial development. Monitoring through photographic records is used to assess population trends and understand the environmental factors contributing to the decline. (The Alaska Beacon)
Take 3: The declining numbers of the Western Arctic Caribou herd, now standing at 152,000, down from 164,000 just last year, bring attention to the urgency of addressing the complex ecological challenges facing caribous in North America. Climate change and industrial development have been identified as the main factors behind the caribou herd’s dwindling numbers. As Alaska witnesses rapid environmental shifts, increased rain-on-snow events disrupt travel and foraging for the caribou, causing a decrease in low-lying lichen and other vegetation that caribou eat with woody shrubs. Industrial development is fragmenting habitat, creating roads and other infrastructure that have become impediments to caribou movement. The consequences of declining herds pose significant risk to food security and the ability to carry on tradition in many Indigenous communities. Proposals such as reducing the number of allowed animals hunted or restricting harvest for hunters not living in the range of herd have been in discussion, but both would have their own effects on food security. This decline in Alaska mirrors a broader issue affecting Canada’s North as well. In fact, Canada has seen some of the most extreme herd crashes in recent years. This issue is another sobering call to reassess our approach to conservation and resource management. Stricter regulations on industrial activities, sustainable hunting practices, and proactive climate change mitigation strategies are needed to create an effective conservation management plan. The decline of the Western Arctic Caribou Herd is not just a loss of numbers; it represents broader environmental and cultural challenges. (Alaska Public, Anchorage Daily News, The Alaska Beacon, WWF)
New Bridge Launched by Vladimir Putin to Western Side of Kola Bay
As reported by The Barents Observer on December 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin, during the Russian national Railway Congress, officially inaugurated a 1,300-meter-long bridge as part of a new railway line to Lavna, a seaport terminal on the western shore of Kola Bay. The railway’s role is to establish an “Arctic hub” connecting to the Persian Gulf. The railway aims to facilitate freight transport from Murmansk to Mumbai in just 15 days. (The Barents Observer)
Take 4: This new railway line to Lavna marks a significant milestone with far-reaching geopolitical implications.The railway, part of the Murmansk Transport Hub, was paused in 2020 but gained momentum in 2022 amid geopolitical shifts. President Vladimir Putin, during the Russian National Railway Congress, highlighted the railway’s role in creating an “Arctic hub” that will be intricately linked to the Persian Gulf. This move signals Russia’s strategic intent to assert dominance in the Arctic region. The railway is a strong logistical feat as well as a major geopolitical move. Putin’s vision of a direct railway connection from Murmansk to the Iranian Bander-Abbas opens greater possibilities for trade and strategic alliances. By reducing goods delivery time from Murmansk to Mumbai to 15 days, Russia is positioning itself as a key player in shaping global trade dynamics. The geopolitical backdrop, with Finland and Sweden joining NATO, adds another layer of significance. Putin’s directive to prioritize the project reflects the strategic importance of Murmansk, similar to its role during the Second World War. As the Arctic ice continues to gain international attention, Russia’s enhanced connectivity in the region becomes an anchor for its geopolitical aspirations. The Arctic railway will facilitate efficient trade and strengthens Russia’s geopolitical foothold in the Arctic. (Arctic Today, Port News, Sea News, The Barents Observer)
Northern Sea Route Hits Record Cargo Numbers in 2023
As reported by High North News on December 18, Russia’s Northern Sea Route (NSR) has recorded a record of 75 shipments in 2023, totaling 2.1 million tons of cargo. The navigational season, which spans from June 13th to November 15th, increased from the previous year’s 41,000 tons. This resurgence is largely attributed to the rerouting of Russian oil from the Baltic to China via the Arctic following the EU’s 2022 ban on Russian crude imports. Experts anticipate a potential increase in transit cargo to 4-7 million tons in 2024. (High North News)
Take 5: With a record-breaking 2.1 million tons of cargo in 75 shipments in 2023, the NSR has reasserted itself as a crucial maritime corridor. The NSR’s dominance in global LNG shipments persists, with Novatek’s Yamal LNG plant sustaining consistent exports to Europe and Asia. The shift of Russian oil routes from the Baltic to China via the Arctic stands out as a strategic response to geopolitical realities, particularly the EU’s ban on Russian crude imports. This move represents Russia’s adaptability in its geopolitical challenges and positions the country as a key player in reshaping global trade routes. The economic ties between China and Russia are evident in the dominance of deliveries to and from China, which account for over 95 percent of transit cargo. While concerns about aging vessels and limited ice-class availability persist, the NSR’s potential for growth, with experts anticipating 4-7 million tons in 2024, signals a continued shift in the dynamics of Arctic transportation. As the NSR continues to evolve, it not only facilitates economic prosperity but also cements Russia’s geopolitical standing, emphasizing the Arctic’s role in both global cooperation and competition. The surge in transit traffic is a statistical milestone and an indication of Russia’s vision for its international relations. (High North News, Interfax, Splash 247)