The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of 11 September, 2023
Cruise Ship Runs Aground in Greenland
As reported by AP News on September 14, the Danish Joint Arctic Command announced that the luxury cruise ship MV Ocean Explorer was successfully freed after it ran aground in Greenland on September 11. The ship, with 206 people on board, was stuck for three days in Northeast Greenland National Park before being pulled free by a fisheries research vessel of the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources. The vessel does not appear to be in immediate danger and will likely sail to Iceland for assessment and investigation. (AP News)
Take 1: The gripping situation in Greenland highlights the dangers of Arctic tourism, shipping, and other maritime activities. Although the MV Ocean Explorer and its more than 200 passengers were not in danger, the accident could have been much worse. The Joint Arctic Command stated that the nearest Danish naval ship was about 1,380 miles away and would take about five days to arrive. While there were other vessels nearby, most of these were smaller ships that were not equipped to conduct large-scale rescue operations. Therefore, the running aground of the cruise ship illustrates the serious safety risks of operating in the Arctic due to the region’s limited search and rescue (SAR) capabilities. The Arctic’s vast distances, harsh weather, challenging communication, and lack of infrastructure make it very difficult for coast guard forces to reach the High North swiftly to conduct emergency operations. Although the Arctic states have worked to strengthen their SAR capacity in the region, especially after signing the Arctic Search and Rescue Agreement in 2011, significant gaps remain. As the Arctic becomes more accessible due to climate change and melting sea ice, the demand for tourism will likely increase, particularly through large luxury cruise ships. Thus, the MV Ocean Explorer incident should compel states to invest further in SAR to ensure the safety of the Arctic. (Arctic Portal, NBC News, RAND Corporation, US Government Accountability Office)
Databases and Drones: New Tools for Arctic Research
As reported by Phys.org on September 11, a new article published in Geosphere has introduced the Svalbox Digital Model Database (DMDb) to the scientific community. DMDb is a new regional database that combines 135 digital outcrop models of the Svalbard archipelago, which are virtual, georeferenced, three-dimensional models of a geological surface. The entries are acquired from handheld devices, drones, and other modes of transportation. DMDB is constantly expanding with new digital outcrop models, and it has already contributed to scientific collaborations and publications from geoscientists studying the geology of the archipelago. (Phys.org)
Take 2: The Svalbard archipelago is a natural archive for geology and natural history, containing bedrock from almost every geological period. Sparse vegetation and few impacts from modern human activity have made its geological processes exceptionally clear. Therefore, the Svalbox Digital Model Database is a vital tool for geoscientists as it makes field research in this remote area widely accessible. The DMDb project emphasizes the importance of digital infrastructure, but it also draws attention to the growing use of drones for Arctic research. Drones can collect vast amounts of data in a single trip and are revolutionizing Arctic studies as they enable scientists to easily, safely, and inexpensively reach sites that are usually inaccessible through traditional fieldwork. This is especially important in Svalbard, where the landscape varies greatly, including mountains, valleys, glaciers, snowfields, canyons, and fjords. Moreover, in its recent goals and objectives report, the US Arctic Research Commission specifically highlighted drones as an emerging topic and a critical area for additional study. Thus, the database illustrates how technology and innovation can support scientific research. As the region warms and the need for Arctic science continues to grow, tools such as digital models and drones will likely play an increasingly prominent role. (NORCE, UNESCO, US Arctic Research Commission)
Arctic Council Working Groups Set to Resume
As reported by High North News on September 12, Norway’s Arctic Ambassador Morten Høglund announced that all eight Arctic states, in consultation with all six permanent participants, have agreed on guidelines for the Arctic Council’s working groups and experts to resume their work. The guidelines state that the working groups can initiate decision-making processes, resume existing projects, and suggest new programs. However, the extent of cooperation is yet to be determined. The ambassador also noted that while it took several rounds before a consensus was reached, Russia has been constructive and positive in resuming the activities of the Council. (High North News)
Take 3: The new guidelines announced by Norway and the other Arctic states are a pivotal moment in the Arctic Council. The Council, which serves as the premier intergovernmental forum for cooperation on the Arctic, has been paused since the invasion of Ukraine. With Russia holding the chairship of the Council at the time (2021-2023) and the war continuing, not only was political cooperation impossible, but collaboration between scientists and experts was also terminated. The consensus that led to the adoption of the guidelines demonstrates that the global importance of tackling Arctic issues outweighs geopolitical tensions. As the Arctic warms more than four times faster than the rest of the world, coordinated action and research are needed to address the numerous challenges facing the region, including permafrost thaw, sea ice melt, pollution, biodiversity loss, wildfires, and more. With Russian territory stretching over 53% of the Arctic Ocean coastline, not only is Russian cooperation necessary for the Council’s work to be effective, but changes to the region also severely threaten the country and its inhabitants. Therefore it is highly encouraging to see that dialogue between the Arctic states has been constructive. Although the guidelines still need to be implemented in practice, they are a key step in resuming the Arctic Council’s vital activities and illustrate the resilience of Arctic cooperation. (NOAA, The Arctic Institute)
Norway Considers Permitting Deep-Sea Mining
As reported by Reuters on September 14, Norway is considering a government proposal to permit commercial deep-sea mining in a 108,000 square mile ocean area between Jan Mayen island and the Svalbard archipelago. The government stated that a survey of the seabed discovered substantial amounts of metals and minerals, including rare earth elements. The proposal would divide the area into smaller blocks, which would be offered to companies for commercial exploration and production. The Norwegian Parliament is set to discuss the bill later this fall. (Reuters)
Take 4: Like its expansion of offshore oil and gas production, the Norwegian government’s proposal to permit commercial deep-sea mining seems to indicate that Norway is committed to extracting resources from the Arctic seafloor. Although the government argues that metals and rare earth elements from deep-sea mining could help Europe reduce its dependence on China for critical minerals, the environmental impacts could be disastrous. The deep sea is known as the largest habitat for life, hosting a variety of unique ecosystems and a wealth of biodiversity. Scientists warn that mining the seafloor could radically alter ancient ecosystems by disturbing areas that have never experienced human contact. Mining would likely change the geochemistry of the seabed’s sediment, causing many organisms to lose their habitats. Deep-sea mining operations could also contribute to noise pollution, marine litter, chemical spills, and the release of toxic compounds that would harm the Arctic’s fragile ecosystem. Given these potential risks, it is not surprising that numerous countries and groups of scientists have called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining until the ecological consequences of seabed exploitation are better understood. With so much international opposition and the potential for severe environmental impacts, the Norwegian government and parliament should seriously reconsider its proposal to permit deep-sea mining in the Arctic. (Financial Times, London School of Economics and Political Science)
Scotland: Making Arctic Connections
On September 11, 2023, the Scottish Government announced the list of successful projects selected for the third round of its Arctic Connections Fund 2023-2024. Launched in March 2023, the fund was established to foster collaboration between Scottish organizations and Arctic partners. In a competitive selection process, nine standout projects were chosen, collectively valued at over £83,000. Among these initiatives are efforts to facilitate the transition of maritime transportation towards green energy, address the expansion of crop cultivation into Arctic regions, and strengthen Scotland’s partnership with Alaska in the space sector. (Scottish Government)
Take 5: Scotland’s engagement with the Arctic region has intensified steadily over recent years. In September 2019, the Scottish Government introduced its inaugural Arctic policy framework, ‘Arctic Connections,’ highlighting shared historical ties, cultural affinities, and shared interests. While geographic proximity plays a role, Scotland and the Arctic share contemporary priorities, from rural resilience to connectivity and sustainable economic growth. Scotland’s approach distinguishes itself from other ‘near-Arctic’ global players, with rhetoric focusing on what it can “offer” the Arctic rather than what it can “take.” With its diverse project portfolio, the Arctic Connections Fund aligns closely with the objectives of this community-driven policy, addressing a range of mutual concerns from the need to promote cleaner shipping to preserving rural cultural heritage. Yet, a broader strategic dimension is also at play. Scotland also leverages its Arctic engagement to differentiate itself from the rest of the UK, particularly post-Brexit. Following the 2016 Brexit referendum, where Scotland voted to remain in the EU, tensions with the UK have deepened. Arctic partnerships thus also serve as a platform for Scotland to redefine its foreign policy and assert its international presence. In essence, Scotland’s Arctic engagement signifies an ambitious foreign policy outlook, underscoring a determination to establish a unique global identity. (High North News, Scottish Government)