Chukchi and Beaufort Seas Report

The US Geological Survey has released a report titled: An Evaluation of the Science Needs to Inform Decisions on Outer Continental Shelf Energy Development in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, Alaska. Three chapters provide foundational information on geology; ecology and subsistence; and climate settings important to understanding the conditions pertinent to development in the Arctic OCS. They are followed by three chapters that examine the scientific understanding, science gaps, and science sufficiency questions regarding oil-spill risk, response, and impact, marine mammals and anthropogenic noise, and cumulative impacts.

Canada: Sustainable Development in the High-North

On May 26, the Canadian National Committee for IUCN (CCIUCN) convened a panel of experts in the field, as well as individuals from government agencies, non-government organizations, and the interested public to discuss challenges facing the region. Presenations included a keynote address by Duane Smith, President of the Inuit Circumpolar Council–Canada, entitled “Arctic Resources – An Inuit Perspective”.
Press Release
Detailed Report

1st Annual "Arctic Imperative Summit"

The inaugural "Arctic Imperative Summit: Cooperation, Investment, Development" took place from June 19-21 and was referred to as the "first-ever investor and policy summit focusing on the American Arctic."  

Through high-level meetings, presentations, investor roundtables and original research, the aim was to "expose business leaders to the long-term opportunities for responsible Arctic development" and to illuminate issues in key areas such as:
- Security;
- Resources;
- Port Development;
- Marine Shipping; and
- Commerce & Trade.

An article appearing shortly thereafter in the Alaska Dispatch reported on the discussion among participants regarding UNCLOS.

European Space Agency Produces New Thickness Map

The first map of sea-ice thickness from ESA’s CryoSat mission was revealed on 21 June. From an altitude of just over 700 km and reaching unprecedented latitudes of 88º, CryoSat spent the last seven months delivering precise measurements to study changes in the thickness of Earth’s ice by measuring the height of the sea ice above the water line to calculate.

USA: National Ocean Council

As a first step in addressing the objectives of the National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, our Coasts, and the Great Lakes; the US National Ocean Council (NOC) recently released nine strategic action plan outlines for public review including outline #8 titled: "Changing Conditions in the Arctic"

Greenland: Drilling Disruption Goes to Dutch Court

As reported in media outlets, British oil company Cairn Energy had filed legal papers with a Dutch court to fine Greenpeace €2m a day if the campaign group continued to disrupt its oil drilling operations in the Arctic. This came after Danish marines boarded Cairn's Leiv Eiriksson drilling platform early on June 2 and evicted two Greenpeace climbers who had spent four days in a survival pod attached to the drilling platform.

Cairn said in the court documents: "The defendants are preventing the exploitation of the platform. All delay of the platforms during its journey to the respective drilling locations and each hindrance during the drilling activities will lead to delay of the operations. Plaintiffs estimate the damage resulting from delay to those drilling activities at least $4m (£2.5m) per day. The urgent character of the plaintiffs demand thus speaks for itself."

The legal summons, heard on June 6 in Amsterdam where Greenpeace's ship is registered, asked the judge to "… order defendants to cease all unlawful activities within one hour of handing down the judgment in this matter against the platforms and to order their employees, their aids or their sympathisers to cease all unlawful activities against the platforms, to allow the safe and unhindered exploitation of the platforms, at a penalty of €2m for each day or part thereof during which defendants are not complying with this order."

On June 9, a Dutch court granted Cairn an injunction against Greenpeace resulting in that for every day Greenpeace disrupts Cairn’s drilling operations it will incur a penalty of €50,000   up to a maximum of €1m.