The Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer

Return of the Ice Curtain - It was with growing concern that I read recently of the potential withdrawal of Russia from the Arctic Council. See High North News article attached. Formed in 1996, the Arctic Council is a senior level intergovernmental forum supporting international collaboration, sustainable development, and healthy environment for Arctic people. I first heard about the Arctic Council in 1998, when I was working for the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association. The environmental director, Flore Lekanof had just attended an Arctic Council meeting and while there met Vladimir Dobrynin, an Unangan from Kamchatka in Russia. There had been no contact between the Unangan of Alaska and Russia in living memory. Flore could not speak Russian, nor could Vladimir speak English, but by some good fortune they met, recognized their common heritage, and were able to communicate in Unangam Tunuu, their Native language. Flore, who was then in his 70s, was arguably the first Alaskan to hear Native Unangan spoken with a Russian accent. The Arctic Council was unique in that it recognized from the onset, the importance, rights and contribution of Indigenous people. Indeed, international Indigenous organizations have a seat at the Senior Arctic Officials table, alongside official delegates from Russia, the United States and other Arctic Nations. At this meeting an idea was born, that a people parted could join again and earn a seat to advocate for their land, environment and culture. APIA took on the role of forming the Aleut International Association, and Flore and Vladimir were the founding members. Under the auspices of the Arctic Council, and through the efforts of APIA and AIA, a long list of collaborative activities followed. They sponsored delivery of critical health supplies to remote communities in need, they worked with state and regional governments to study the impacts of contaminates on human health, they collaborated on the training of local environmental workers and the clean-up of contaminated lands, they brought Indigenous knowledge to the international table to advocate for the health of people and wildlife. The Arctic Council created the space where two distant relatives could meet and begin a dialogue that continues to this day, restoring lost language and forgotten culture. What to make of Russia’s recent threats about their membership and participation? According to Svein Vigeland Rottem at the Fridjof Nansen Institute the Arctic Council will die if Russia withdraws. "But I do not think Russia will withdraw from the Arctic Council, even though they sometimes send mixed signals. It is not in their interest." I hope he is right. The Arctic Council, has helped to create a model for international collaboration; unique, respectful and productive and helped describe challenges to flora, fauna, environment, community health and safety. The loss of the Arctic Council as we know it, would mean the loss of the circumpolar community that we need now more than ever. Mike Brubaker

	Russia Threatens to Withdraw From the Arctic Council Moscow, Russia High North News / "We need to keep all political options open, including a withdrawal from the Arctic Council," says Russia's Arctic Ambassador, Nikolay Korchunov. Read article on High North News
	First deer with Chronic Wasting Disease found in B.C Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada Nicholas Johansen / Castanet / February 1, 2024 The first known cases of Chronic Wasting Disease in British Columbia have been discovered in two deer in the Kootenays. Officials have been keeping an eye on the southeastern area of B.C. for some time, as nearby outbreaks have occurred in Alberta, Montana and Idaho. The two recent positive samples came from an area south of Cranbrook. Read article on Castanet
	Unique behavior with polar bear sow and cub was registered by scientists Wrangel Island Nature Reserve, Russia Prochukotku.ru / The female and cub left the family den a month earlier than usual, which is extremely atypical for these animals. Experts consider this case to be unique - they have not yet encountered such behavior of polar predators. Read article on Prochukotku.ru
	Huge Numbers of Redpolls Fox, Alaska, United States Richard L Thoman Jr and Kimberlee Beckmen / LEO Network / February 13, 2024 This winter large numbers of redpolls have been observed at bird feeders, from Fairbanks to Anchorage. ADFG reports that mass mortality events of redpolls have also been observed. ADFG advises homeowners not to handle dead or sick birds, and to prevent pets from coming in contact with them. Bird illness may be caused by a bacteria that could also affect people and pets. Read post on the LEO Network
	What is causing the rusting of northern Alaska streams? Kougarok, River Ned Rozell / Anchorage Daily News / February 10, 2024 The oranging of northern rivers seems to be related to recent permafrost thaw that has allowed streams to release previously captive iron, trace metals and acid. Read article on Anchorage Daily News
	Chignik avalanche leaves community without power for 4 days Chignik, Alaska, United States Anchorage Daily News / The avalanche came after two days of heavy snow followed by two days of heavy rain. The community had to wait several days before linemen could get to Chignik to repair the damage to its power system. Read article on Anchorage Daily News
	Freezing rain warning issued in Yellowknife during a mild late January Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada NNSL Media / January 29, 2024 Yellowknife encountered unusual weather with freezing rain and temperatures around -1°C, despite average late January temperatures being around -20°C. Read article on NNSL Media
	Ground water levels peak after wet winter Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden Sveriges Radio / Sveriges Radio / Underground water reservoirs in the south of Sweden are full to brimming point, according to the latest report from the Geological Survey of Sweden. Lots of rain and snow over the winter are the reason, a welcome change after drought conditions last summer. Read article on Sveriges Radio
	Blizzard shuts down Iqaluit's streets, schools Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada CBC / Environment Canada issues severe weather warning, winds up to 90km per hour. Residents are advised to stay off the roads and take shelter because of reduced visibility and unsafe road conditions. Read article on CBC

The Northern Climate Observer is published by the Center for Climate and Health. We track news coverage from across the circumpolar north and provide readers with a curated roundup of climate change related events. Thank you for reading our newsletter and for paying attention to our changing world.

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Northern Climate Observer

The Northern Climate Observer is published weekly by the Center for Climate and Health. We track news from across the circumpolar north and provide readers with a curated roundup of climate change related events.

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Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
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