The Arctic This Week Take Five: Weeks of June 17-28, 2019
Broadband For the High North
On June 21, the Norwegian government reported signing a contract with a state-owned company Space Norway AS on establishing broadband communication in the High North. For this purpose, Space Norway AS created a subsidiary, Space Norway HEOSAT AS, which is going to lead the project and operate the satellites in the future. By launching two satellites in 2022, Norway hopes to secure internet availability in its northernmost regions and improve conditions for search and security operations, as well as for military and exploration activities (Government of Norway, IBO, HNN).
Take 1: This is definitely one of the major broadband investment deals this year, since the lack of stable broadband communication has been the stumble stone for the efficient operation and cooperation in the Arctic for years. According to the Norwegian government, this decision benefits not only Norwegian citizens and Nowegian civil and military services but also Great Britain, Germany, France, and Canada, that seek to use the Nowegian satellites for communications purposes as well. Despite the fact that Space Norway AS is a state-owned company, the implementation of the project will be carried out in close cooperation with US military officials. The latter, however, might trigger negative responses from the Russian side, as it often does, and will hopefully be clarified diplomatically.
Iceland Goes Gender Autonomous
On June 18, the Icelandic parliament adopted a gender autonomy act. From now onwards, Iceland’s citizens have a legal right to register their gender identity without having to fit in any particular assigned gender category, and go through any medical treatment. Moreover, the act also implies that everyone is free to choose whichever name one prefers, making the naming law gender-neutral (Iceland Monitor, Iceland Review).
Take 2: Winning itself a better image internationally and ‘putting others to shame’ (The Guardian) does not mean, however, that gender autonomy in Iceland is now fully secured. Even though it is indeed, a significant step towards establishing gender equality, there is still a long way to go. Not all of the initially raised issues were included in the final bill: questions about intersex children and medical interventions imposed upon them, for instance, were left out and put aside for further investigation by a special governmetnal committee. That inevitably raised concerns among human rights activists, who call for better legal mechanisms to ensure bodily integrity.
Well, Well, Well: No Oil For Equinor Again
On June 17, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate announced that Equinor Energy AS finished drilling another wildcat well, which turns out to be dry. Korpfjell gas discovery is located in the Barents Sea, several hundred kilometres away from the city of Vardø. According to the Directorate, the well was permanently plugged and abandoned (IBO, Norwegian Petroleum Directorate).
Take 3: This news marks another dry well for Equinor this year. However disappointing that can be for the company itself and state officials who have been promoting extensive exploration, this ‘misfortune’ might well be considered as another warning sign against Norway’s insatiable scramble for oil wells in its northernmost waters. It seems like it is high time for Equinor and the Norwegian government to step back and look at the destructive impacts of such behavior towards one’s own livelihood, does it not?
Shtokman Project: Closed For Good?
Earlier this month, Russian public joint stock company Gazprom announced the abolishment of its subsidiary Shtokman Development AG. Set up in 2008, Shtokman Development AG was supposed to run the exploration and future operation of the Shtokman field, one of the world’s largest offshore natural gas reserves located in the Barents Sea (IBO, Neftegaz.ru).
Take 4: The major reason behind Gazprom’s decision lies, perhaps, in the enormous success of the shale revolution in the U.S., which made the initial plans for the exploitation of the Shtokman field economically unviable. In 2015, Norwegian Statoil and French Total left the project, which led to several years of its suspension. Interestingly enough, Gazprom still has not lost hope in the possibility of reviving the Shtokman project later, under more favorable economic conditions. However, Gazprom – just like Equinor – will probably need to tame its desire, as the changing socio-political and environmental conditions might easily shatter its dreams.
Bill C-91 Passed, Controversies Continue
On June 21, the Canadian government gave royal assent for the so-called Bill C-91, or the Indigenous Language Act. It is supposed to “reclaim, revitalize, strengthen and maintain Indigenous languages in Canada.” According to state officials, the act is an outcome of long-term collaboration with Canada’s indigenous communities, who are said to have played a major role in developing the new legislation (EOTA).
Take 5: As it turns out, not all indigenous communities have been equally involved in the negotiations on the Act. Inuit amendments concerning, for instance, the necessity to provide health care, education and justice in indigenous languages were not included in the final version of the act. Besides, as Nunatsiaq News reported, Inuktut was not granted federal recognition as the official language within Inuit Nunangat, forcing the Inuit to choose either English or French when accessing federal services (Nunatsiaq News). In contrast to the positive responses of the First Nations and Métis communities, the Inuit’s case signals a clear discrimination against Canada’s northernmost citizens.