The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of 24 April, 2023
High North Dialogue Concludes
The High North Dialogue 2023 Conference took place on April 18 to 21 in Bodø, Norway. With this year’s theme, “Business in the Arctic – Spaces of Opportunity,” the conference addressed opportunities in politics, business, outer space, and ocean space. The main conference, including the keynotes, panels, and awards, took place on April 19 and 20. Side events and social activities began on April 18, and a youth event, Barents Generation, took place on April 21. More details of the event can be found on the High North Dialogue’s website and social media. (High North Dialogue)
Take 1:The Arctic is in the midst of immense change, opening new opportunities for industries, businesses, and innovation. From oil and gas exploration to maritime shipping and commercial fishing, many industries have turned to the region to take advantage of the greater resource access and increasingly navigable Arctic. At the same time, other sectors have worked to develop solutions to the Arctic’s challenges, including renewable energy and internet connectivity. As global warming continues to transform the region, the spaces of opportunity for development will likely grow. However, given the fragility and importance of the Arctic, it is essential that sustainability and the environment are at the center of business activity. That is why conferences like the High North Dialogue are so critical for the preservation of the Arctic. By bringing together stakeholders from diverse fields, the conference facilitates dialogue and collaboration to promote sustainable practices for Arctic development. Additionally, through its youth event and focus on the spaces of opportunity in education, the conference engages emerging leaders and works to foster a new generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers. With the Arctic rapidly transforming, the conference provides a unique platform for businesses, community members, students, and experts to discuss the region’s most pressing challenges and develop solutions to ensure a sustainable future for the Arctic. (Sustainable Development Working Group, World Wildlife Fund)
Microplastic Found in Crucial Arctic Algae
As reported by Wired on April 21, a new study published in Environmental Science and Technology has found that the Arctic algae Melostra arctica, a microscopic plant-like organism,contains an average of 31,000 plastic particles per cubic meter. Using field samples, the international team of scientists determined that the concentration of microplastics in the algae is 10 times higher than the concentration in Arctic waters. The scientists concluded that additional research was needed to determine the impact of microplastic on M. arctica and its surrounding ecosystem. (Wired)
Take 2: Plastic pollution is a critical issue for the Arctic, with the region recording significant and increasing concentrations of microplastics and plastic debris. However, the high number of plastic particles found in Melostra arctica is especially concerning because the algae forms the basis for the Arctic marine food chain. Scientists have estimated that ice algae account for 57% of the primary production in the Arctic Ocean, enabling it to support numerous species, including whales, seals, birds, fish, and krill. Although the recent study was not able to determine if microplastic is harming M. arctica, the high levels of plastic could be toxic or cause internal damage to the algae, which would have serious consequences for the wildlife higher up in the food chain. Moreover, like other producers, algae absorb significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, alleviating carbon emissions. However, increasing levels of plastic could block sunlight, hindering photosynthesis and carbon capture. This new study on plastic pollution is important because it reveals the seriousness of the situation and highlights the impact that microplastics are having on one of the Arctic’s foundational species. Given the vital importance of algae to the marine environment and the carbon cycle, governments should continue to support research on microplastics and work to develop measures to combat the severe plastic pollution in the region. (Carbon Capture Science and Technoloy, NOAA, Norwegian Polar Institute, Science)
Iceland Authorises Service Visits By US Submarines
As reported by High North News on April 25, the government of Iceland has authorized US nuclear-powered submarines to make brief service visits to Iceland. The service visits will allow US submarines to receive supplies and exchange crew members. The Icelandic government emphasized that the submarines may only visit on the condition that they will not carry nuclear weapons. The government also stated that it consulted with neighboring countries, like Norway, that have experience with submarine visits and have stipulations against nuclear weapons on their territory. (High North News)
Take 3: In recent years, rising tension and growing security concerns have led to a significant increase in submarine activity in the Arctic. Russia has invested heavily in bolstering its nuclear submarine fleet, expanded patrols in the High North and North Sea, and conducted numerous exercises in the Northern Sea Route and the Arctic Ocean. Thus, Iceland’s decision to authorize service visits by US submarines is an important measure to address Russia’s increasing submarine and military operations. These service visits will enhance NATO’s ability to conduct submarine surveillance and respond to threats to critical underwater infrastructure, like undersea cables that are located near Icelandic waters. Given that underwater cables transmit more than 95% of international data and are essential for modern communication, damaging them can have severe impacts on security. Due to their importance, these cables are also at risk of intentional harm. In 2022, an underwater cable to Svalbard was severed in an act of suspected sabotage, illustrating the vulnerability of underwater infrastructure. Moreover, the Russian Navy’s Intelligence Directorate has also recently procured two research vessels that can be used for military reconnaissance and oceanographic seafloor mapping. With Russia actively growing its subsea capabilities, NATO should continue to strengthen its submarine operations and invest in underwater technology to ensure the safety of critical seafloor infrastructure. (Center for Strategic and International Studies, NBC News, The Barents Observer)
Arctic Glacial Loss Continues
As reported by Eye on the Arctic on April 21, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released its State of the Global Climate in 2022 report. The publication states that glaciers in the Arctic and around the world are continuing to experience substantial mass loss, including the Greenland ice sheet, which had a negative total mass balance for the 26th year in a row. The report also noted that Arctic sea ice at the end of the summer melt in 2022 was the 11th lowest minimum recorded by satellite. (Eye on the Arctic)
Take 4:The WMO’s report is yet another warning to the world about climate change and its impacts on the Arctic environment. Rising temperatures have already affected the region, contributing to sea ice melt, permafrost thaw, wildfires, and coastal erosion. However, the latest report also draws attention to glaciers, observing that the average thickness of glaciers decreased by about 1.3 meters, which is a much larger loss than in previous years. This accelerated decline is concerning because the loss of glaciers is a serious danger to humanity and the ecosystem. The runoff from thawing glaciers contributes to sea level rise, and a complete loss of the Earth’s glaciers would raise global sea levels by approximately hundreds of feet. The glaciers in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are especially important as they are estimated to account for 60-65% of sea level rise from glaciers by 2100. Furthermore, the report notes that the Greenland ice sheet’s mass has declined for nearly three decades, and continued glacial melt may trigger the collapse of the entire ice sheet, disrupting ocean currents and causing extreme shifts in weather patterns. While the WMO’s report provides new information on the global climate, it follows numerous previous reports on the devastating effects of global warming on the Arctic and should compel the international community to take immediate action to preserve these vital glaciers. (Carbon Brief, Iberdrola, National Snow and Ice Data Center, USGS)
FSB signs maritime security cooperation with China in Murmansk
As reported by The Barents Observer on April 25, the Russian Federal Security Service’s Border Guard Service and the Chinese Coast Guard have signed a memorandum for cooperation in law enforcement at sea. The agreement, which was signed in Murmansk, Russia, states that the two nations will pursue joint efforts to combat terrorism, illegal fishing, illegal migration, and smuggling. The memorandum also stipulates that the countries will hold joint maritime and coast guard exercises, which are expected to take place soon. (The Barents Observer)
Take 5: The agreement between the Russian Border Guard Service and the Chinese Coast Guard is the latest in a series of recent actions that emphasize the deepening of Arctic cooperation between Russia and China, including last month’s announcement of a joint working organ on the development of the Northern Sea Route. Although China has long supported Russian projects in the Arctic through investments and construction, this new step in the Russia-China Arctic relationship provides an opportunity for China to enhance its presence in the region. For years, China has worked to strengthen its legitimacy in the Arctic by expanding its polar research voyages and commercial maritime activity. But with the new memorandum, China may soon be able to enter the Arctic with non-civilian vessels and project influence through its coast guard ships and personnel. Direct involvement in the region by the Chinese coast guard or military vessels could demonstrate that the country is a serious and capable actor in the region, which China could use to push for a greater role in Arctic governance. Russia’s decision to establish coast guard cooperation with China may be a result of the pausing of the Arctic Coast Guard Forum and other modes of Arctic cooperation. As Russia remains isolated from the other Arctic states, it may continue to partner with China on key areas of Arctic policy, opening new pathways for Chinese involvement. (Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, The Arctic Institute, The Barents Observer)