The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of February 10, 2020

Conflicts are Emerging Behind the Idyllic Svalbard Scenes on TV

Sunday marked 100 years since the Svalbard Treaty was signed. The Svalbard Treaty is an international agreement securing Norway sovereignty over Svalbard. Following the celebration that was viewed by millions of people on TV, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, sent an official letter to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to request a meeting to discuss “Svalbard problems,” some of which include the limitations Norway has placed on Russian use of helicopters, and opportunities for business activity in Svalbard (High North News, High North News).

Take 1: Russia’s disdain towards the constraints on their activity in Svalbard has been an ongoing problem for numerous years. Lavrov’s letter request for bilateral conversations on Svalbard will unlikely lead anywhere. Experts think Lavrov’s letter to Norway is merely an assertion of Russia’s long-term and strategic interests to maintain in the area. The dynamic between Russia and Svalbard has all the elements of a fascinating cooperation, especially with the Norwegian maritime industry standing to gain a lot of money from trading with Russia.

Concern over Coronavirus Outbreak Impacts Arctic Tourism

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of the coronavirus as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The first person diagnosed with coronavirus in the Arctic, in Finland, was taken to a regional hospital and treated promptly. Others from the same group who may have been exposed, have been quarantined. Despite the prompt response by officials, the tourism industry in Murmansk is expected to be down 80% in February, in addition to a plunge in the number of tourists all over northern Europe (EOTA, EOTA, EOTA).

Take 2: The tourism industry in the Arctic relies heavily on the influx of Chinese tourists in the winter months. With all the cancellations from Chinese tour groups, many towns are experiencing a significant drop in earnings. In Finland alone, the over 450,000 visitors who arrived in the country in 2018 spent a total of €413 million. While officials attempt to control the spread of coronavirus, it seems that the tourism industry in the Arctic will have to manage without one of their largest sources of income.

Noise Pollution from Ships may Scare Arctic Cod

Researchers at the University of Windsor have discovered that noise from shipping vessels traveling through northern Canadian waters are adversely affecting the feeding habits of Arctic cod. Hearing is imperative to the survival of fish. They use sound to avoid predators, navigate, and communicate. When a ship passes by, the fish abandon their normal feeding behavior. Given that peak shipping season coincides with the peak feeding period for marine species, such acoustic disturbances can have a cascading impact on the Arctic food web (Science News).

Take 3: Declining sea ice extent in the Arctic is opening up the region to increased shipping traffic. In 2019, 27 ships passed through the area, almost a 700% increase in vessels since the 1980s. An increase in shipping exposes marine organisms in the region to other hazards, such as oil from drilling and warming ocean waters. Since many larger mammals rely on cod as a food source, there may be a shift in the feeding practices of species higher up in the food web.

Melting Ice Floods the Arctic with Fresh water and Cools Europe

One of the largest impacts climate change has had on the Arctic is the increasing rate of sea ice decline. However, the ripple effects of this phenomenon may further cause worry. Ice melt is flooding the Beaufort Gyre with fresh water, while increased winds are causing the Gyre to spin faster and faster. Fresh water is then trapped within the current instead of being released into the Atlantic Ocean. In the past, these winds used to change direction every five to seven years, but the trend has not been observed in the last two decades. A sudden change in wind direction now means that the reservoir of fresh water will be pumped into the Atlantic Ocean all at once, significantly altering the climate of Western Europe (New Atlas).

Take 4: It seems like with each passing day, scientists are uncovering new information about the Arctic that potentially have extreme repercussions. The Beaufort Gyre is linked with the Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) that is responsible for balancing the Earth’s heat budget. If the MOC is altered in a significant way, it can disrupt one of the key systems that regulate the Earth’s climate. 

High North Dialogue: No Dialogue, No Finding of Best Solutions

High North Dialogue 2020 will take place in Bodø, Norway on March 18 and 19 to discuss and develop ideas for the economic development of the Arctic region. At the conference, the fifth High North Hero will be awarded, joining an esteemed class of individuals, including a former prime minister and a world-class scientist. Additionally, the conference invites participants from a variety of backgrounds to spur dialogue on issues that pertain to the people, society, and businesses in the Arctic (High North News).

Take 5: Seven TAI members will be attending the High North Dialogue. As Frode Mellemvik, Director of the High North Center for Business and Governance said, “Dialogue creates understanding.”  While dialogue is not the silver bullet here, it is an integral part of broadening people’s horizons on important issues in the Arctic. In a world where disagreements between opposing stakeholders is omnipresent, dialogue is essential for compromise.