The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of 17 October, 2022
China Will Not Support Arctic Council Without Russia
As reported by High North News on October 15, the Special Envoy to the Arctic for China Feng Gao stated that from a legal point of view, it is questionable whether the chairmanship of the Arctic Council can be transferred to any country without the consensus from all eight Arctic states, including Russia. Moreover, the Special Envoy asserted that a separate Arctic institution that only consists of the remaining seven Arctic states (without Russia) would not be supported by China. Russia currently chairs the Arctic Council, and Norway is set to assume the chairmanship in May 2023. (High North News)
Take 1: It has been more than six months since the work of the Arctic Council was paused by the seven Arctic states besides Russia. The pause was initiated by the states in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which undermined the Arctic Council’s core principles of trust and respect for international law. Although the pause was intended to be temporary, as the conflict in Ukraine continues, it is unclear when the operations of the Arctic Council will resume. It is essential that the Arctic seven work amongst themselves, with other countries, and with Indigenous organizations to continue the prior work of the Arctic Council, particularly to support Indigenous Peoples in the region. The Arctic seven have already announced that they will begin working to implement the Arctic Council’s projects that do not involve Russian participation. While this is an important step, these interim solutions should also recognize that Russia must be included in Arctic cooperation at some point in the future since it comprises about half of the region. As emphasized by the Chinese Special Envoy, a perceived separate institution could jeopardize future cooperation with not only Russia but non-Arctic states as well. Therefore, the Arctic seven should continue the important work without Russia for the time being while also maintaining the Arctic Council as the premier forum for Arctic cooperation. (Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, US Department of State)
Greenland and Iceland Sign Cooperation Agreement
As reported by Eye on the Arctic on October 14, Greenland and Iceland signed an agreement to promote bilateral relations and cooperation. The cooperation agreement focuses on several key areas, including the economy, climate change, and culture. It was signed in Reykjavik on October 13 by Prime Minister of Greenland Mute B. Egede and Prime Minister of Iceland Katrin Jakobsdottir. The prime ministers will meet every other year, alternating between Nuuk and Reykjavik, to review the programs for each area of cooperation. (Eye on the Arctic)
Take 2: The signed cooperation agreement between Greenland and Iceland continues to bring the two nations closer together. While the agreement focuses on many vital areas of cooperation, including trade, climate change, and biodiversity, it also importantly identifies gender equality as a priority for both governments. Sexual and gender-based violence against women is a highly prevalent issue in Iceland and Greenland. According to a study by the University of Iceland, one in four women in Iceland has been raped or sexually assaulted. In Greenland, violence against women and rape is also widespread, but especially for youth. Violence and sexual assault against children are estimated to be nine times higher than in Denmark and Norway. Greenland and Iceland have taken a significant step towards tackling these issues through this agreement by laying the foundation for targeted programs, including exchanging methods to combat sexual violence and conducting research on the impact of trauma on women´s and children’s health. Additional factors such as substance abuse, poverty, and mental health issues often contribute to violence and abuse. Thus, the other priority areas identified in the agreement, such as economic and cultural cooperation, may help address the underlying social determinants of health to mitigate the risk of assault. The fact that the prime ministers will meet every other year to review the implementation of the programs is also important as it illustrates their commitment to the long-term success of this cooperation. (Government of Iceland, High North News, The Guardian)
Three Arctic Indigenous Leaders Speak at Arctic Circle Assembly
As reported by High North News on October 14, Governor General of Canada Mary Simon, International Chair for the Inuit Circumpolar Council Sara Olsvig, and Prime Minister of Greenland Mute B. Egede each spoke during the opening session of the Arctic Circle Assembly 2022 in Reykjavik, Iceland, on October 13. It is the first time that three Indigenous leaders were invited as main speakers of the Arctic Circle Assembly. (High North News)
Take 3: Speaking at the largest annual international gathering about the Arctic, the three Indigenous leaders are sending a powerful message to the international community: that there is no real democracy without the participation of Indigenous Peoples. Throughout history, the Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic have been subject to aggressive policies of assimilation, marginalized, and excluded from discussions that impact their future. Despite their long history of engagement with Arctic issues, it took many years for Indigenous Peoples to be heard, and it wasn’t until the establishment of the Arctic Council in 1996 that Indigenous Peoples gained a seat at the table as Permanent Participants. Despite this progress, more can be done to recognize, include, and listen to Indigenous Peoples. For instance, the Permanent Participants were not consulted before the coalition of states known as the Arctic seven announced their decision to pause the Arctic Council following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As the principal stakeholders in the Arctic, Indigenous Peoples must be a part of determining the future of the region. Thus, having three Indigenous leaders serve as the main speakers at the Arctic Circle Assembly for the first time is remarkable, and this prominence of Indigenous voices must be sustained. As international involvement in the region grows, this milestone cannot become an exception but should signify the beginning of greater inclusion, participation, and leadership of Arctic Indigenous Peoples. (Arctic Circle, Arctic Council)
Global Warming and Viruses in the Arctic
As reported by CBS News on October 19, new research published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences found that climate change in the Arctic could increase the risk of a viral spillover, a term for the transmission of a pathogen to another species. Scientists in Canada examined samples from Lake Hazen in Nunavut, Canada, and determined that global warming is bringing viruses in the Arctic into contact with new hosts, raising the risk of spillover. The scientists concluded that the likelihood of a pandemic remains very low, but more surveillance is needed to understand the risks. (CBS News)
Take 4: The rising temperatures in the Arctic potentially pose a serious danger to global health. As perennially frozen ground, permafrost has trapped numerous types of microorganisms and compounds. Untouched for tens of thousands of years, deep permafrost is one of the few environments that has not been exposed to modern antibiotics. Therefore, as global warming continues, the rapidly thawing permafrost could potentially release antibiotic-resistant bacteria and viruses. Moreover, permafrost also contains many harmful pollutants and chemicals that are now banned, which could be released back into the atmosphere with harmful effects on wildlife and human health. In addition to these threats to health, the research reveals an additional risk of a viral spillover event,when a virus “spills over” from one species to another. The COVID-19 pandemic is one major example of such an event, illustrating the severity of viral spillover. As the Arctic warms, more species are moving into the previously inhospitable region. These species, which may have never encountered the pathogens in the Arctic, are potential hosts for spillover. While the researchers acknowledge that the risk of a viral spillover is low, it is important to be vigilant and continue to study the potential threats to health. As suggested by the scientists, governments should support greater research into diseases in the Arctic and increase monitoring of this critical area of health. (European Space Agency, Nature, Ohio State University)
Canadian Priority: Critical Minerals in the North
As reported by CBC News on October 17, the Minister of Natural Resources of Canada Jonathan Wilkinson announced that expediting the regulatory process for critical mineral mines in northern Canada is a priority for the federal government. He also stated that the government aims for the mining projects to have zero or close to zero emissions. However, the Minister of Industry for the Northwest Territories Caroline Wawzonek expressed that the province’s location may be a challenge for net-zero mining. (CBC News)
Take 5: Although one of the most vulnerable groups to climate change, Arctic communities face a difficult challenge in reducing their emissions. Many Arctic communities are in remote areas, so they must rely on diesel to generate electricity. Although reliable, diesel produces air pollution and other environmental risks. As many communities have limited or no road access, diesel and other essential goods also must often be transported by air or ships, representing a substantial secondary source of greenhouse emissions. These factors, combined with the Arctic’s harsh climate, make the development of renewable energy in these regions difficult. Like Arctic communities, it may also be difficult for mines in the Canadian Arctic to achieve zero emissions due to their remote locations. These mines could also have severe environmental impacts,contributing to water contamination, dust, heavy metals contamination, and noise pollution, all of which harm local communities and ecosystems. Consequently, the government must work with local communities and take all measures to mitigate these risks. As noted by the Minister of Natural Resources, critical minerals are crucial for Canada to successfully execute its energy transition. Yet, as Canada moves towards cleaner energy, it must include Arctic communities in its transition as well. The government should work to support these communities by investing in roads and technology for renewable energy in the region. (Nature, Open Canada, Wired)