The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of 6 March, 2023
High North Dialogue 2023
The High North Dialogue 2023 Conference is scheduled to take place next month on April 19 and 20 in Bodø, Norway. The conference’s theme this year is “Business in the Arctic – Spaces of Opportunity,” and will feature a variety of panels on politics, business, outer space, oceans, and other related themes. The conference is supported by numerous organizations, such as The Arctic Institute, Nord University, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Norwegian Barents Secretariat, the University of the Arctic, the Research Council of Norway, and Innovation Norway, among others. Registration for the conference is still open. (High North Dialogue)
Take 1: Conferences have an integral role within Arctic governance, serving as central meeting places for international cooperation, deliberation, and the exchange of ideas. These dialogues provide a platform for a broader community of stakeholders to engage with Arctic affairs and enter Arctic cooperation. They also create opportunities to expand the agenda, such as this year’s High North Dialogue topic, which features outer space. Given the Arctic’s harsh environment and remote location, space systems offer unique benefits to the region. Satellite-based communication systems are already indispensable for surveillance, maritime shipping, connectivity, and the management of maritime areas in the High North. Satellites can also drive sustainable development by providing internet access, conducting essential mapping and climate monitoring, and supporting coast guard and emergency operations. With increasing activity in the Arctic and climate change drastically impacting the region, the need for satellites and space systems will likely continue to grow. Therefore, the High North Dialogue provides an excellent opportunity to discuss the role of outer space and inspire innovation in the field to address the region’s challenges. Especially now that the Arctic Council and other forums have paused their activities, the High North Dialogue provides a space for researchers, policymakers, businesses, and community members to collaborate on Arctic issues and develop ideas to build a sustainable future. Registration for the conference is still open, and we hope to see you there! (European Space Agency, Polar Geography, The Arctic Institute)
Arctic Research Station Opens Its Doors for High School Students
As reported by Nunatsiaq News on March 3, for the first time, the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, has begun conducting tours for local high school students. The station, which opened in 2019, is an advanced center for polar research and environmental studies that can host up to 50 visiting researchers. The tours are part of a new community outreach initiative, with the facility’s staff planning to host regular monthly visits for students. (Nunatsiaq News)
Take 2: Arctic scientific research is essential for understanding the impacts of climate change and the numerous challenges facing the region. That’s why the new initiative by CHARS is so important: it engages youth in the community and exposes them to the vital work of Arctic scientists. It also enables students to learn more about the numerous disciplines involved in Arctic research, from marine biologists and climate scientists to anthropologists and wildlife specialists. Initiatives like these high school tours have the potential to encourage younger generations to pursue a career in a field that supports Arctic science. With the region warming up to four times faster than the rest of the world, there has never been a more critical need for environmental and polar researchers. Moreover, the CHARS initiative is especially notable because the residents of Cambridge Bay are mostly Indigenous. By engaging the community, the program helps create opportunities for Indigenous students and reduces barriers for Indigenous People to share their knowledge and collaborate with researchers. Although research stations conduct invaluable activities and are fascinating spaces, they are often disconnected from the public. That’s why more stations should follow CHARS’ example and open their doors to shed light on their important work and inspire a new generation of researchers at a time when Arctic science is needed most. (National Academies Press, US Department of Energy)
Canadian Intelligence Warns of Rising Arctic Competition
As reported by CBC News on March 5, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) released a report identifying climate change as a long-term security threat to Canada’s safety and prosperity. The CSIS warned that receding ice coverage in the Arctic will likely intensify great power competition for access, influence, and control of the region, particularly from Russia and China. The report also states that entire coastal communities are at risk due to flooding and rising sea levels. The brief was originally prepared in April 2021 and was recently disclosed to the press due to an Access to Information request. (CBC News)
Take 3: The CSIS brief is important because it offers a clearer perspective of the Arctic as a security issue and highlights the growing securitization of the region. Securitizing the Arctic can draw attention to the region and mobilize action by moving problems into the realm of emergency politics or using extraordinary measures to respond to an urgent threat. Russia’s militarization of the High North and growing competition has brought the Arctic onto national security agendas, prompting countries to shift their focus to the region. For instance, several nations have implemented measures to strengthen their cold-weather capabilities, conduct Arctic military exercises, and procure new weapons systems like Canada’s Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships. Although there are legitimate security concerns in the High North, framing the region in terms of security rather than an issue of ecology or public health can have negative consequences. A focus on security can overshadow other major concerns in the Arctic and divert resources away from programs such as critical conservation efforts, scientific research, and development projects. From biodiversity and pollution to education and water access, the Arctic faces a wide set of challenges that may not be properly addressed by treating the region as a security issue. As a result, while documents like the CSIS brief bring much-needed attention to the Arctic and climate change, governments must exercise caution when it comes to further securitization. (E-International Relations, Globalizations)
Feedback Loops Are Accelerating Climate Change
As reported by CNBC on March 6, new research published in One Earth found that current climate models may be underestimating the effects of global warming due to the failure to account for feedback loops. The group of international scientists from Oregon State University, Exeter University and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany identified 41 climate feedback loops, 27 of which amplify global temperature-rise, including several in the Arctic like permafrost thaw and sea ice melt. Feedback loops are cyclical chain reactions that either accelerate or decelerate warming. Positive feedback loops, in particular, create a chain reaction of warming that exacerbates temperature changes. (CNBC)
Take 4: The Arctic is undergoing a rapid transformation due to global warming. However, one of the greatest issues in the region is that climate impacts like permafrost thaw and sea ice melt are not only symptoms of climate change, but also contributors, triggering feedback loops that accelerate global warming. The release of greenhouse gases due to permafrost thaw and the reduction of bright surfaces to reflect sunlight caused by melting sea ice leads to a cycle of warming and melting that is particularly dangerous for the Arctic due to the region’s importance and fragility. These feedback loops can reach critical climate tipping points, where the cycles are sufficiently strong to drive climate change outside of human control and cause irreversible impacts. For example, the loss of too much ice could trigger the collapse of the Greenland ice sheet, contributing to sea level rise and disrupting vital ocean currents that regulate the global climate like the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Feedback loops that amplify global warming are clearly an immense concern for the Arctic, and scientists should support the recommendations of the study to better account for these cycles in climate models. (National Snow and Ice Data Center, NOAA, Science)
Forever Chemicals Found in Svalbard Ice Cap
As reported by High North News on March 9, a study published in Science of The Total Environment found high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in remote parts of the Arctic. The team of international researchers led by Oxford University examined a 12.3 meter ice core from the Lomonosovfonna ice cap on Svalbard and detected 26 PFAS in the ice sample. The scientists also identified traces of the PFAS subgroup fluorosurfactants, also known as PFOS, in the ice core. Like PFAS, fluorosurfactants are synthetic chemicals commonly used in consumer products and in industrial applications. (High North News)
Take 5: The discovery of PFAS in the Svalbard ice cap is highly concerning because these ‘forever chemicals’ do not break down in the environment. Widely used in a variety of products including clothing, furniture, and packaging, once they enter the environment, these substances can move through the soil to contaminate water sources and can accumulate in fish and wildlife. Due to their widespread use and persistence, PFAS have been found in the blood of animals and people around the world. Although the health effects of exposure to the substances remain uncertain, some laboratory studies have found that high amounts of PFAS may impact the immune system, stunt infant and fetal development, and even cause cancer. Therefore, the spread of PFAS is a serious risk to the environment and public health, especially for Indigenous communities that rely on Arctic wildlife for subsistence. Like microplastics and other pollutants, PFAS could threaten these local food sources or even harm Indigenous people by rising through the food chain. The study should compel governments to support further research into the health implications of PFAS, their spread, and how they enter the food chain. It should also prompt discussions on eliminating PFAS or seeking more sustainable alternatives. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, Nature)