ARCTIC: US Elections’ Impact & more – 12th Nov 2024

Góðan daginn from Keswick Village! This is the Rorshok Arctic Update from the 12th of November twenty twenty-four. A quick summary of what’s going down North of the Arctic Circle!

The outcome of the recent U.S. election could have major implications for the Arctic, as President Trump’s victory on Wednesday the 6th signals a potential rollback on Alaskan environmental protections. According to Reuters, Trump has pledged to reverse many of Biden’s protective measures, aiming to reauthorize extensive oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic Wildlife Refuge, a major protected region.

In a last effort to limit the environmental impact before Trump’s new term, the outgoing Biden administration took steps to restrict upcoming oil and gas leases. On the 6th, the US Bureau of Land Management announced that only the least vulnerable 400,000 acres, or about 1,600 square kilometers, would be available for auction. While the incoming administration is expected to promote drilling, Biden’s measures should help shield some of Alaska’s most ecologically sensitive lands.

Speaking of Alaska, its bipartisan coalition in the House appears strong for the upcoming legislative session. Alaska Public Media reported on Thursday the 7th, that key members of the coalition, which includes both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, expressed confidence that the alliance will remain intact. They’ve emphasized the importance of working across party lines to address Alaska's most important budget issues in education and fishing, and other pressing state issues. With the next session set for January, the coalition’s stability will be tested as members look to balance conservative and progressive interests while securing necessary support for statewide initiatives.

meters, over: 1600

To know more about this story, check out the Rorshok Ocean Update with the link in the show notes!

Going back to the US elections, as Russia’s Arctic may be celebrating a Trump presidency. According to High North News, who spoke with energy industry experts about the impact of this political shift on Thursday the 7th, the election of Donald Trump to a second term could provide some relief for Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 plant and other energy projects. These experts believe that the existing US sanctions against Russia’s energy projects will remain in place, but the likelihood of further sanctions preventing vessels from exporting Russia’s gas around the world are now low.

Russia already has reasons to celebrate since its Arctic fleet is expanding. On Thursday the 7th, the news agency Arctic Today reported that the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg launched Chukotka, its newest nuclear-powered icebreaker. This marks the fourth vessel of the planned five which are intended to ensure Russian dominance in the Arctic Ocean. The Chukotka, funded by Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, will aid in keeping the Northern Sea Route navigable year-round. As climate change opens new routes, Russia is investing in its ice-breaking capacity, reinforcing its influence and control in the Arctic waters.

With Trump previously expressing his desire to withdraw the US from NATO, the military alliance is preparing additional measures to protect itself. The Finnish government announced on Thursday the 7th that it had submitted a new law to parliament, which would allow NATO troops from any nation in the coalition to move through Finland at will. The country believes that there might be a military emergency and is working to integrate its military further into NATO in order to ensure its long-term security.

Military protection is complicated, but environmental protection strategies are proving to be just as difficult in the Arctic. A recent study published by the University of Aarhus on Wednesday the 6th, found that trees across the Arctic and Boreal regions are experiencing a slowdown in growth rates despite warmer temperatures that would typically stimulate growth. Researchers from the University of Helsinki suggest that while warming was initially beneficial, these ecosystems now appear to be hitting temperature or nutrient limits. This slowdown could mean that these forests will remove less carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, challenging climate targets that depend on northern forests as natural carbon sinks.

Arctic science is becoming more common as scientists have realized how important the region is to global health. On Thursday the 7th, The Swedish broadcaster SVT reported that Sweden’s leading Arctic science institutes, the Luleå University of Technology, Umeå University and the Polar Research Secretariat, opened a new center for research. The Center for the Arctic and Antarctic in Luleå intends to make Sweden the hub for all European polar studies, and has already attracted research teams from around the world to the small Arctic city.

In other news, Iceland is reaching a critical point in its drug problems. The Directorate of Health reported on Thursday the 7th, that drug-induced deaths hit an all-time high last year. However, on the same day, Kristín Davíðsdóttir, from the National University Hospital, told broadcaster RÚV that indirect drug-related deaths and non-fatal overdoses are not counted, underestimating the true scale of the problem. Davíðsdóttir says this oversight is leaving many Icelanders without the support they need, calling the country’s healthcare system uncoordinated and saying it’s not working.

Another regular problem in Iceland is the volcanic eruptions plaguing the town of Grindavik, as we covered in previous episodes. On Friday the 8th, the Icelandic Department of Civil Protection released its first official report on its response, recovery and repair efforts related to the Sundhnúkur eruption. The report highlights strengths in Iceland’s rapid-response system but underscores the need for improved mental health support and long-term recovery planning for residents uprooted by natural disasters. This event marked one of Iceland’s largest evacuations in recent memory, pushing local and national agencies to prioritize both resilience and sustainable recovery measures for impacted communities.

Over the sea to Greenland, where a new law might completely change how tourism works in the country. The Greenlandic Broadcasting Corporation wrote on Thursday the 7th that the government proposed forcing all tourist companies operating in the country to be majority-owned by Greenlandic citizens by next year so that citizens benefit more from tourism.

A previous version of this law stated that Greenlanders should own two-thirds of the business but criticism from institutions such as the Bank of Greenland warned that this could scare away valuable foreign investment. The bill is scheduled for a new round of debates next week before reaching a final vote before the end of the year.

In some cultural news, let’s go to the art world of the Canadian Inuit. Collections from Nunavut are being displayed around the world. News agency CBC News reported on Saturday the 9th that art exhibitions highlighting Inuit culture are drawing international attention to the artistry and heritage of the Arctic’s Indigenous people. In addition to fostering cultural understanding, these exhibitions provide Nunavut artists with new opportunities and recognition, emphasizing the vibrant contributions of Inuit art to the global stage.

To explore these unique artworks, take a look at the link in the show notes.

However, not all Inuit art is receiving such positive feedback. A new horror short film, inspired by the Inuit myth of the Qallupilluit, has sparked cultural backlash over its depiction of Inuit traditions. Qalupalik, directed by a non-Inuit filmmaker, explores the legend of the Qallupilluit, which are mythical creatures said to lure children near icy waters.

However, Inuit critics argue the film misrepresents their culture and mythology, lacking proper consultation with Inuit storytellers and community members. Nunavut’s Department of Culture and Heritage released a statement on Wednesday the 6th, expressing disappointment, emphasizing the need for Indigenous voices in the portrayal of cultural stories to preserve authenticity and respect Inuit traditions.

Aaand that’s it for this week! Thank you for joining us!

Thanks for sticking around for this episode of the Rorshok Arctic update! If you’ve got questions, thoughts, or just want to say hi, reach out at info@rorshok.com. Don’t forget to hit subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

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