The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of April 23, 2018
Plastic Taking Over
On April 24, Nature Communications Journal published the results of a new Arctic study. From 2014-2015, researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research took samples from five different locations in the Arctic Ocean and found up to 12,000 pieces of microplastic particles per liter of ice. The results were three times higher than levels in previous studies. In addition to finding a record amount of plastic, the researchers were able to identify its potential source, tracing some of it all the way to the massive North Pacific Garbage Patch (BBC News, Nature Communications, The Guardian, The Telegraph).
Take 1: When the Arctic sea ice moves and melts, it transports plastic particles around the region. The world’s oceans have seen a large increase in plastic pollution, and its traceable movement from large garbage patches has elevated concerns about the impact on marine life and humans. The implications of these tiny particles still remain unknown, but it is no secret that marine plastic pollution is a huge problem. Every year 8 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the world’s oceans. Plastic does not go away, and it is definitely dangerous to animals. When animals like fish eat plastic, toxic chemicals can be absorbed into their body and passed to humans through the food chain. Scientists disagree on whether microplastic is absorbed into animal tissue or expelled from the body, but the oceans are definitely not a place for any kind of plastic, that is for sure (Cosmos, Plastic Oceans Foundation, The Guardian).
A Pristine Wilderness Threatened?
On April 19, The Bureau of Land Management, a division of the Department of the Interior in the United States, issued a notice of intent to start an environmental impact analysis about the effects of oil exploration and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. During the environmental review process, the general public has 60 days to submit comments online, and five locations have been selected in Alaska to engage Alaskans directly. The Bureau wants to start issuing leases to the oil and gas industry as soon as next year. It is a first for oil and gas leasing in the refuge since Congress identified the Coastal Plain section as an important area for energy resources in 1980 (Democracy Now!, The Washington Post).
Take 2: Republicans in the U.S. Congress and in the State of Alaska have pushed for oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for a long time, while most democrats and conservation groups have opposed it. Republicans argue that oil and gas development on the Coastal Plain is vitally important for meeting the nation’s energy demands and achieving energy dominance. Opposing groups claim that oil development has negative impacts on wildlife and on the land. For example, the refuge is home to the Gwich’in people. These natives rely on the area for hunting and fishing. Caribou is traditionally a major component of their diet. While porcupine caribou can graze near infrastructure, the animals need the space the plain provides to birth and nurse their young. Oil and gas development is therefore a big threat to future populations. While energy security is necessary, it is also important to remember that the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the country’s most pristine and environmentally sensitive areas. The first question that should be asked is if it is possible to develop that oil and gas somewhere else. If the answer is no, and oil and gas supply from Alaska is absolutely proven to be crucial, the federal and state government should do everything in their power to limit the negative effects of oil and gas development. These actions have to be verifiable by local stakeholders such as the Gwich’in who have the most to lose. The government should definitely not rush until verifiable systems can be established that monitor the health of the environment and any impacts (Science Magazine, The Columbian, The Washington Post).
Election Day in Greenland
On Tuesday April 24, Greenland held government elections. The ruling center-left Siumut party, led by the current prime minister, won 27% of the vote, the largest share of the vote but down from the last elections. The centrist pro-business party had the best day. It won 20%, up from 11% four years ago, and is now one of the three largest parties. Surveys in Greenland showed that the 40,769 eligible voters were interested in key issues like the fishing industry, mineral exploitation, climate change, infrastructure improvement and social issues like drugs, alcohol and suicide. One of the hottest topics was Greenland’s long-term goal of breaking away from Denmark. Greenland has largely ruled itself since 2009 but remains a part of Denmark, which has control over its defense and foreign issues (Reuters, The Local.dk).
Take 3: Of the seven political parties in Greenland, six parties have campaigned for full independence from Denmark ahead of the elections. One party is even keen to declare independence as early as 2021. While Greenland has the right to decide on its own independence, the island also should be careful and not make any hasty decisions. Currently, Greenland receives around 3.6 billion Danish kroner ($591 million) in subsidies each year. If Greenland is to split from Denmark, it will lose its financial support, which accounts for 60% of the annual budget of the island. It would make Greenland one of the poorest countries in Europe. Yes, Greenland is rich in unexploited natural resources, and the fishing industry is temporarily benefiting from climate change, but the island suffers from a lack of infrastructure, has the world’s highest suicide rates, and faces other issues like a high school dropout rate, sexual abuse, alcohol abuse and negative impacts of global warming. With so many problems, Greenland can’t afford a split from Denmark yet (CNBC, The Local dk).
16 Brains are Better Than 1
The largest Arctic research expedition ever, Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC), will be launched in May. It involves more than 60 institutional partners from 16 countries in Europe, Asia and North America, has a total budget of close to 150 million Euros, and will last from mid-September 2019 to the end of September 2020. During the expedition, the German research icebreaker RV Polarstern will drift with the sea ice through the central Arctic, and a network of observational sites will be set up on the ice. The goal is to better understand the climate processes that couple the atmosphere, sea ice, ocean, ecosystem and biogeochemistry, and help improve weather and climate predictions (MOSAiC International Arctic Drift Expedition).
Take 4: The MOSAiC expedition helps close some of the key knowledge gaps that exist in understanding the Arctic climate system and climate change in the Arctic. New observations that lead to better climate and weather prediction can in turn lead to increased safety for operations and shipping activities in Arctic waters, and provide a more solid scientific foundation for planning and regulating economic growth in the Arctic region. It is impressive that partners from 16 countries will collaborate in this research. The expedition shows that cooperation in science can be independent from the conflictive geopolitical situation (High North News, MOSAiC International Arctic Drift Expedition).
The Hybrid Cruise
On April 20, Rolls-Royce Marine signed a deal with Norwegian cruise operator Hurtigruten. Rolls-Royce Marine is to upgrade the diesel engines on at least six of the cruise operator’s ferries by 2021. Each of the ferries will be equipped with LNG engines and a hybrid system. The upgraded ships sail the route along the coast of Norway from Bergen up to Kirkenes (elective.com, The Independent Barents Observer).
Take 5: Last week’s deal has the potential of having a long-term positive impact on the Arctic environment. Shifting from diesel to hybrid-battery power in Arctic cruise ships will produce 25% less carbon dioxide compared to the current engines, substantially lower levels of black carbon, sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides, and help eliminate the risk of oil spills. The new investment clearly shows that Hurtigruten promotes the use of alternative sources of energy. It is all in line with the Norwegian government’s goal of electrifying its entire transport sector, cutting the country’s net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2030, and becoming a low carbon society. The deal also comes at the right time when the International Maritime Organization prepares for the 2021 heavy fuel oil ban in the Arctic. Reducing black carbon is one of the key components, and the Rolls-Royce Marine’s new engines will definitely help to do so. Hurtigruten will become an example of environmental friendly shipping, and can help improve sustainability in the Arctic (CBC, CruiseandFerry.net, The Guardian).