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The world's northernmost alternative newspaper Vol. 8, Issue 33 December 13, 2016 www.icepeople.net 'Longyearbyen at its best:' Modern tragedies, triumphs part of traditional tributes during Syttende Mai celebration Page 7

“ To believe that the governor can rescue people out, regardless of circumstances, is wrong. There is no guarantee for that. - Per Andreassen, police lieutenant governor's office ”

DAG ARNE HUSDAL / LOKALSTYRE A classic view of Longyearbyen recently became the city's government's Facebook portrait. Norway's government has since released a statistical one.

Late update: 12 apartments vacated again due to building, infrastructure damage. Paint by numbers icepeople.net Cold, hard stats add up to compelling portrait of recent drastic change in 'This is Svalbard 2016' By MARK SABBATINI front. in operation. In 2015 there were Editor Those conclusions are part of the "This is about 300 different businesses in Longyear- Tourism and mining have essentially Svalbard 2016" report released this month by byen, Ny-Ålesund and Svea, divided into swamped positions in terms of their economic Statistics Norway. While the document's pre- many different industries, a growth of over 70 importance. Many more foreigners and far sentation is remarkably similar to the initial percent since 2007." See DOCK, page 12 fewer Norwegians are filling those jobs, and report released in 2009 – much of the text is Mining accounted for 30 percent of the on a temporary or part-time basis for less the same with updated numbers plugged in – jobs and half of the total economic output, ac- money than traditional wage earners. The it's a striking tale about how Svalbard's has cording to the 2009 report that used figures presence and stability of wildlife and natural changed more dramatically in many ways dur- from the previous two years. But coal produc- elements have gone haywire in all directions. ing the past eight years than it did during pre- tion dropped by nearly 75 percent between And the community has taken many steps to- vious century. then and 2015, and the shift in jobs has been ward what is considered normal - which plen- "Mining is no longer Svalbard's heart," equally momentous. ty of locals will doubtlessly consider an af- the report declares. "There is only Mine 7 in See NUMBERS, page 4

Related coverage: • Letters to the Future: grope and change...7 Rocky outlook • Fleeing Svalbard is easy – sort of……....11 98% of Svalbard’s inland glaciers to shrink 90% or more by 2100? By MARK SABBATINI nating glaciers shrinking by at least 90 percent, Editor if climate change continues on its current pace, Svalbard will likely see “an almost com- according to a recently published study. SWISSEDUC.CH plete deglaciation” of many of its inland areas There is, however, considerable debate Inland glaciers in Nordenskiöldland will be among MAKSYM BOREIKO by the year 2100, with virtually all land-termi- See SHRINK, page 8 the first to disappear, according to a new study.

You're a mean oneSee REALITY, Cookie page monstrosity4 Manic miner Sketchy scene IMAGE COURTESTY OF SNØHETTA Is this the Too much for 'Bipolar' film Is this the Arctic A twin-dock floating pier, seen here in an artist's Grinch of even a steel lives up to its in the era of illustration, is being proposed for Longyearbyen. Svalbard? stomach name Trump? Page 2 Page 3 Page 5 Page 7

https://us- mg6.mail.yahoo.c om/neo/ launch?.rand=epm v8hf4ja5bp# Page 2 December 13, 2016

Who's to blame and how A rare December sunrise in Svalbard? to express your wrath

Editor Mark Sabbatini

Bag lady Marion Prudhon

Principal of principles Kristan Hutchison

Psychiatrist Irene Gallion Accomplice Get some real dirt on icepeople! Jeff Newsom Our global headquarters available for rent during the March 20 eclipse! Sleeps three on actual Mailing address furnishings (double bed and sofa), plus a few can squeeze in on the floor. Washing machine, turbo Icepeople wi-fi and about a 5-10 minute walk to most places. Plus, you'll be helping provide our pitiful little Vei 210 -2- 13 newspaper with desperately needed funds. Contact [email protected] for details. Longyearbyen, Svalbard 9170 Norway

Telephone MARK SABBATINI / ICEPEOPLE Norway: +47 41 51 46 38 Or is the moon made of brunost? Or is Mother Nature simply caving in to the fact that orange is all U.S. +1 (970) 673-4472 the rage at the moment? Obviously in this post-truth world it can't be because the moon is being seen through a much thicker layer of Earth's atmosphere when it's on the horizon, which means PRIVATE E-mail orange/red light dominates because it has longer wavelengths than other colors that get scattered. [email protected]

Web site www.icepeople.net Icesheet

Icepeople is published weekly (or thereabouts) Random bits of the week's weirdness: on Tuesdays (or thereabouts), with printed Plenty of folks have suggested Svalbard as copies available free on a limited basis in an ideal destination for U.S. residents wanting Longyearbyen. Additional printed copies are to flee instead of being ruled by The Don, but available locally and by mail upon request. at least one person is asking Santa to give the Charges are on an "at cost" basis. gift of a much simpler solution – albeit one that Briefly may have people here wishing for a wall. A Copyright stuff demonstrator photographed by Thomas Cully is requesting Santa bring Wiggy Trump back to Cruising: Getting out of Original contents of this publication can be the North Pole while delivering presents. reproduced for non-commercial purposes free Since Santa’s real workshop is actually in danger, but into 'death?' of charge if Icepeople is credited as the Longyearbyen’s abandoned Mine 2B, his Another cruise season is about to embark source. The original writers, photographers suggestion isn’t getting any support here full speed ahead in Svalbard, but the smiles of and other contributors retain their rights to all Mainland town claims to be top (“You can keep your garbage to yourself! Time THOMAS CULLY those greeting passengers aren't being shared published works. for USA to start handling their own problems,” On the naughty list: Or so we presume, since by a lot of industry executives these days. per-person telethon giver, a title are being scatter light more than longer wavelengths was one person’s response on Facebook). The Santa doesn't seem likely to grant his wish They took a blow last month when Britain held by Longyearbyen for years Corrections policy sign-waver might also be exposing himself to a issued a warning telling travelers cruising here bit of ridicule with a second message hanging likely things happen, including the mercury is too dangerous. That warning may be re- When we screw up you'll know about it – on from his neck reading “Cold today? Trump soaring to about nine degrees Celsius in the front page. One of the big complaints promises global warming (and dirty air).” East Longyearbyen at the end of last December…the about newspapers is they tend to bury Coast cities are indeed in a deep freeze this new news gone virtual about Svalbard is how corrections and clarifications deep inside week due to an Arctic air blast, but there’s ex- our reindeer are shrinking and the jokes where few people who read the original article actly a zero percent chance denialists making about Santa therefore needing more of them see them. If we need to fix something, an alert fun of the guy will be persuaded that yes, that’s (see page 9). But while researcher are worried box on the front page will state what story is in due to climate change…Speaking of which, a the shrinkage is a danger to the population, a error and where the full correction is printed. couple weeks ago headlines everywhere were far ominous story about Santa's little helpers declaring Svalbard stood an even or better was revealed Monday by the American Geo- chance of having an average annual temper- physical Union, which states the world’s Submitting material ature above freezing for the first time in largest reindeer herd – at the northernmost recorded history. Now, um, not so much as point of Russia on the Taimyr Peninsula – Letters, columns, photos and other material the community plunged into a deep freeze last has decreased from about one million ani- are welcome, but we can't offer pay for week. Temperatures dropped sharply starting mals in 2000 to 600,000 today, at least in part published items since nobody here is getting last Monday night and remained between minus due to climate change. “There is a substantial paid at the moment. Submissions in electronic 15 and minus 20 degrees until Thursday, ac- decline – and we are also seeing this with other form (text, Word documents, JPEGs, etc.) are cording to the Norwegian Meteorological Insti- wild reindeer declining rapidly in other parts of highly preferred, although typing and/or tute. Temperatures from Friday through Tues- the world,” Andrey Petrov, a researcher at the scanning of items will be considered on a per- day have generally been near or below minus Arctic Center at the University of Northern case basis. We reserve the right to edit 10 degrees Celsius. Of course, the past year has Iowa, told the BBC. As one article about the submissions for length, clarity, accuracy, libel seen a rather large number of staggeringly un- study notes, talk about a real war on Christmas. December 13, 2016 Page 3

HEADLINES STOLEN FROM SVALBARDPOSTEN VERDENS NORDLIGSTE AVIS

Avalanche report Thursday, memorial gathering Monday A long-awaited report assessing the land- slide and avalanche dangers in Longyearbyen is scheduled to be presented at a public meet- ing at 7 p.m. Thursday at The University Cen- tre in Svalbard. The report was originally scheduled to be released in October, but the consulting company hired to do the assess- ment and the directorate both took extra time MARK SABBATINI / ICEPEOPLE because "we must be absolutely certain that Beate Flak, an employee at Longyearbyen's power plant, examines a gingerbread recreation of the what is presented is of good quality," said town during its unveiling last week at Kulturhuset. The plant is the largest "building" in the village. Knut Hoseth, acting regional manager for the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Di- rectorate's northern division. He declined to state if the report will call for large-scale House of crumbs changes in protection measures or declaring Gingerbread recreation of a lighting ceremony last week. Among the some buildings unsafe to occupy. The report other structures are Gjesthuset 102, Arctica, was ordered after an avalanche last Dec. 19 Longyearbyen goes on diet, but Villa Fredheim, Svalbard Husky and JM that killed two people, destroyed 11 homes still provides plenty of energy Hansen. and resulted in hundreds of residents being “Everybody made the buildings they are evacuated from their homes. A memorial gath- By MARK SABBATINI in,” Løvberg said. ering on the one-year anniversary is scheduled Editor The relatively massive power plant is at 6 p.m. Monday outside Kulturhuset. Music It’s built exactly to scale, can withstand decorated with plenty of subtle touches – and presentations will be followed by a torch- huffing and puffing, and even has the potential from the coal dust on the ground to the cot- light procession to the avalanche site at Vei to provide local residents plenty of energy. ton-puff smoke at the top – in addition to the 230, where flowers and candles can be placed. As in real life, the power plant towers flashy lights, candies icing and other touches. above the other buildings in this year’s ginger- Less noticeable is the steel frame that Flak Svalbard officer nominated bread recreation of Longyearbyen. Beate Flak, said was built specifically for this year’s gin- for top award for rescue work an industrial mechanic at the real plant, said gerbread model to help ensure it remains creators of the cookie construction calculated standing. Trond Olsen, a police chief lieutenant for the dimensions based on official building docu- A total of six plant workers built the gin- The , is one of five nom- ments. gerbread power plant, she said. inees for this year's Æresprisen award due to “The dimensions with the pipe is supposed “One guy drawing it and one guy mak- his rescue efforts after the avalanche last Dec. to be 83 centimeters high,” she said. ing the actual frame, three people doing the 19. The top honorary award by Politiforum, This year’s gingerbread village, like baking and one more person doing the deco- the official magazine of the Norwegian Police Longyearbyen in real life, went through a rating,” she said, describing the team’s pri- Federation selects finalists using a jury panel downsizing with only seven buildings com- mary responsibilities. But there was some and the winner is determined in an online poll. pared to 15 last year, said Tone Løvberg who overlap as “I did baking, mounting, decorat- Olsen lived next to the area where the organized this year’ project. Last year’s village ing and I brought it here. And I did the shop- avalanche occurred and was the first police was displayed in a storefront window in Lom- ping.” officer on the scene. "The sight that met him pensenteret that has since been occupied by a The baking and assembly process took when he came out the door was that the entire business, resulting in this year’s village being about four to five hours and the decorating neighborhood of 11 houses were torn away moved to a much smaller display area in the took a couple more, Flak said. from their original locations and had been Rabalder Café and Bakery. The last power plant built for the ginger- thrown helter-skelter tens of meters from “Next year it will be in the new library,” bread village was in 2011, with employees where they stood," the magazine's nomination she said, referring to a project now underway blowing it up in an explosion afterward, she of Olsen states. "He knew that in these houses that will build an expanded public library adja- said. This year’s building will be less vio- lived many people that he knew…Trond tack- cent to the cafe. lently taken apart so the steel frame can be led that in an amazing way. (...) Trond man- This year’s participants, responding to so- saved for future years. aged to keep his cool and stood steady and cial media requests, built their contributions There's more! Visit www.icepeople.net calm as a rock in his police role when tragedy separately before bringing them to the cafe for for the complete story. was at hand." Weather forecast for Longyearbyen

Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Cloudy. NW winds to 39 km/h. Light snow. NW winds to 35 Cloudy. NW winds to 35 km/h. Rain/snow. NW winds to 29 High -7C (-14C wind chill), low km/h. High 0C (-5C wind chill), High 0C (-4C wind chill), low km/h. High 1C (-3C wind chill), 0C (-7C wind chill). low -4C (-8C wind chill). -1C (-6C wind chill). low -1C (-5C wind chill).

24-hour darkness 24-hour darkness 24-hour darkness 24-hour darkness Extended forecast: Sunday, rain/snow, 1C (-3C), -4C (-10C), light 0:00h; Monday, rain/snow, 2C (-6C), -7 (-12C), light 0:00h; Tuesday, snow, 0C (-8C), -8C (-13C), light 0:00h; Wednesday, rain/snow, 2C (-3C), -8C (-13C), light 0:00h Data provided by Storm.no Page 4 December 13, 2016

STATISTICS NORWAY A chart shows the number of Norwegian mining company employees in Svalbard since World War II. The red bar is the projected total at the end of 2016. Svalbard's stats tricky to add up NUMBERS, from page 1 about 20 percent, down from 25 percent in the more balanced during the past couple of years. "The mining industry currently represents previous report. The average resident now stays Men represented 60 percent of Svalbard's adult only 17 percent of the approximately 1,650 about seven years, up from 6.3 in the 2009 re- population as of 2014, a ratio that was stable FTEs being performed in Norwegian operations port. for many years, but they now account for 55 in Svalbard," the report states. However "the But while most of Longyearbyen's workers percent. The number of single-person house- number of total FTEs total has increased slight- now live full-time in the city, there is less sta- holds is about 50 percent, down from 70 per- ly since 2008 despite the decline in coal bility in another sense since 47 percent of them cent in the initial report. Also, there were no mining." are seasonal employees compared to 33 percent residents over the age of 66 in the 2009 report, "The trend towards a broader industry in the 2009 report. now there are ""very few" over 70. On the other structure has been happening for a long time. A Svalbard's population has also increased, hand, there has been a large drop in large drop total of 30 percent of the employment is now in from 2,570 inhabitants in 2009 to 2,650 this in kindergarten students during the past couple tourism and culture, and 15 percent in research year. But it has also seen landmark shifts within of years. and teaching with 240 FTEs (i.e. only slightly those relatively stable totals. The report's recycling of many text sec- less than in the mining industry.)" A total of 24 percent of the Norwegian tions results in some odd occurrences, such as Those figures are likely even more diver- population is from the Troms and Nordland re- repeating the claim Svalbard's glaciers are gent now since Store Norske continued down- gions, down from near 40 percent five years shrinking while leaving the size of the two sizing until this fall and many tourism business- ago. Meanwhile, the number of foreigners has largest ones unchanged (Vegafonna at 8,492 es are reporting record years. increased from 300 people from 35 countries in square kilometers and at 4,150 The huge downsizing in mining means the 2009 to 537 people from 46 countries in 2015. square kilometers). But there are new sections virtually disappearance of "shift" workers (two Thailand and Sweden remain the countries with reflecting recent – or recently realized – issues weeks on, two weeks off that were often spent the highest number of Svalbard residents, but of significance, such as noting the large amount on the mainland) that once represented most of Russia has replaced Germany as the third-high- of marine pollution and its threat to wildlife. Store Norske's workforce. The report also notes est. There's more! Visit www.icepeople.net there is an annual turnover in the population of The ratio of men to women has become for the complete story. icepeople

Landslide warning is now the first newspaper in Europe to be accepted as a full member of the Association of issued to hikers Alternative Newsmedia. That means a whole new global audience will be looking to Svalbard – and A what it might have to offer those who visit. Tell Longyearbyen Community recalls that them what you have with our extremely affordable everyone is responsible for their own safety out print and website advertising, designed either by you or by us. and about. Contact [email protected] or 4151 4638 These days there is a part landslides around, for details. so pay attention.

We ask you to pay special attention to the area north of sarcophagus (where the path toward sarcophagus - Lars Breen runs), here have big soil slid out in recent weeks. When masses slipping out it means that the permafrost thaws further down, which may cause new landslides. December 13, 2016 Page 5

ARTCAM PRODUCTION Helga Kristiansen and Benjamin Vidmar are two of the people seeking a more environmentally future in the documentary "Longyearbyen: A Bipolar Town." Manic obsession Review: Disorder infects both residents and filmmaker in documentary ‘Longyearbyen: A Bipolar City’ By MARK SABBATINI Editor An honest look at what Longyearbyen has mentary of this length), but visitors would cer- Bipolar (adj): 1. Having or relating to two evolved into in recent years is sorely needed tainly arrive able to engage in far more interest- poles or extremities; 2. psychiatric character- and Deiller’s 56-minute film is one of the more ing chats with locals beyond asking about ized by both manic and depressive episodes, or accurate snapshots of the town’s current-day things like polar bear encounters. EVA THERESE JENSSEN / UNIS manic ones only. economical and environmental situation – Few locals will dispute introductory com- – Oxford English Dictionary much of the time. But it also grossly misrepre- ments about Longyearbyen having more ameni- ••••• sents things large and small – mostly notably ties than perhaps any other town in Norway The opening minutes intermix interviews toward the end when its pro-environmental with 2,000 residents, and life here therefore be- with a few Longyearbyen residents and grainy slant descends into a factually challenged narra- ing more modern and comfortable than out- black-and-white footage from “Nanook of the tive where a couple of Green Party residents are siders usually think. The film also does a com- North.” Which means this documentary isn’t the forward-thinking heroic warriors trying to mendable job presenting the various social and just distancing itself from stereotypical portray- bring The Truth to the outdated pro-pollution economic impacts caused by the near shutdown als of the town – it’s ridiculing them. inhabitants refusing to let go of their past. (Edi- of Store Norske during the past couple of years, Many such documentaries are dominated tor’s note: Deiller, in an exchange of e-mails and the uncertainties of what Longyearbyen can by scenes of Svalbard’s dramatic landscapes about the inaccuracies and misleading turn to in a post-mining future. Scenes during and wildlife – and this film contains plenty as material, stated “it’s not my goal at the end of the first half where former Mayor Christin well – but Manuel Deiller focuses on exposing the film to pretend that the Green Party is the Kristoffersen explain why the existence of both the dirty underside of the town in “Longyear- hero” and he plans to make changes to the nar- Longyearbyen and the dirty industry of coal byen: A Bipolar City” (a title a few locals have ration and subtitles before it is widely released. mining are vital (in short, the town might not be called inaccurate, if not outright insulting). The This review reflects the documentary that exists a profitable asset for Norway’s government, but French filmmaker said the theme wasn’t his now and alterations will be noted if they it is a critical strategic one) provide an essential original intention but he, like many other visi- occur.) counterbalance to the obvious question about tors, discovered the inaccuracy of many stereo- That’s a shame because, while it may not why the government is spending a fortune types upon arriving here. be possible to compress into an hour the com- propping up a polluting and money-losing in- “At the beginning, in 2012, the film fo- plex issues about Longyearbyen’s future from dustry. cused on tourism in Longyearbyen, but after the full range of viewpoints in a visually engag- Where opinions will diverge is moments my first journey I discovered that the city had a ing way, Deiller does about as well as might be such as Helga Kristiansen, a local Green Party disturbing way to evolve,” he wrote in an e- hoped during the first 40 minutes (despite plen- politician, offering her opinion about visitors mail interview. “So on my return, I rewrote the ty of hints indicating a pro-Green bias). Audi- seeing the opposite of their expectations. script. My documentary describes the environ- ences might not grasp all the nuances without “They expect to find untouched nature, mental paradoxes of the city and their conse- multiple viewings since certain key issues get they expect to find clean wilderness, and what quences.” short shriftCall (admittedly Mark at a4151 necessity 4638 in or a docu-e-mail [email protected] PORTRAIT, page 6 Page 6 December 13, 2016

ARTCAM PRODUCTION Tommy Albrigtsen, a coal miner at Store Norske, discusses his hopes about the revival of the industry in the documentary "Longyearbyen: A Bipolar City." Film and town both 'Bipolar' PORTRAIT, from page 5 tal neglect continues in other parts of the docu- the anthill” while making another wild claim. they come to is a very messy industrial town mentary that focus on large numbers of “hyper The film mentions in a single passing reference with trash everywhere and we burn coal for polluting” snowmobiles in the wilderness, dis- four parties were seeking seats in the local electricity,” she says. Safe to say tourism offi- posal of food and other solid waste, and the re- community council election, but portrays the cials and others will find that an overly dystopi- lease of untreated sewage into the sea. debate about the city’s future as a two-way bat- an portrayal. “It’s probably one of the most polluting tle between the newly arrived Green Party and Similarly, a claim the Green Party is the cities in Europe because you have to travel the ruling Labor Party. only one supporting a local permaculture 1,000 kilometers by plane just to come here,” In that context, when Albrigtsen says he project is inaccurate since, among other things, says Malte Jochmann, a Store Norske geologist supports the Labor Party and the Greens it received a substantial environmental grant who is among those defending the continuation “should think about other things besides trying from the governor and the municipal council and hopeful revival of mining here. He asserts to destroy a small community” he comes off as approved a site for the project’s greenhouse. exacting coal already here is better than import- a curmudgeon unwilling to accept a new and Deiller can certainty argue he strives for ing it or another source such as fuel, and that unfamiliar reality. balance by featuring scenes such as Store people in Europe fail to realize many of their The portrayal of the election itself isn’t just Norske miner Tommy Albrigtsen, his face and products come from mined materials and “I slanted – it’s outright false, which is a huge outfit black with coal dust, inside Mine 7 talk- think its important to bring out the message you credibility blow when its supposed to be the cli- ing about the company’s economic struggles, need these dirty activities.” mactic point of the storyline. It claims there layoffs and his fears Longyearbyen “will be The inclusion of such material, along with was no suspense as the Labor Party prevailed like a ghost city” if mining shuts down quickly scenes such as Kristoffersen’s scenes, keep the (the Labor and Conservative parties each won (which has largely happened since filming end- complex debate credible until the final 15 min- five of the 15 seats on the Longyearbyen Com- ed). But that’s immediately followed by Espen utes. Outsiders with little knowledge of current- munity Council – a huge setback for Labor Rotevatn, another Green Party politician, offer- day events should certainly come away with the since they previously had a seven-to-three edge ing another comment sure to provoke. same sense everyone from locals to the Norwe- over the even more industry-oriented Conserva- “Many people think that jobs are more im- gian government have about knowing some- tives; in short, Labor was repudiate for not be- portant than environment and many people also thing has to be done – but not being able to de- ing aggressive enough at keeping traditional in- think money is more important than the envi- fine and agree upon what that big something or dustries alive while trying to lure new ones). ronment,” he says. “Well, now the coal mining many small somethings should be. More egregiously, the narrator states the industry isn’t making money any more so that’s But a flaw that begins early with the two Labor Party needed the two seats won by the not a problem any longer.” Green Party residents getting a disproportionate Green Party to keep control of the council (Edi- The narration doesn’t hide its bias, refer- amount of credit for their actions gets out of tor’s note: Deiller has stated this claim will be ring to Mine 7 as “the most misplaced in the hand during the election scenes leading up to modifed). In reality, Labor retained control by world” (after noting it also produces the clean- the finale. reaching a deal with the Liberal Party, which est coal in the world) and using words like “ex- Among the early mentions is they “timidly won three seats (another huge surprise since ev- ploit” instead of more neutral words like “ex- started to raise” the issues presented in the film eryone, including the Labor folks, assumed the tract” when describing coal mining. There’s when they became the first members of the par- Liberals would align with the Conservative). also narrator’s claim of an “irrational pattern of ty ran for local office in October of 2015. The Green Party, contrary to the film’s sugges- consumption among residents,” who are also Which is grossly inaccurate – the issues have tion they were power brokers, subsequently de- portrayed as lazy for an overreliance on cars been widely discussed by many entities for cided to join the coalition instead of being the (“what I would like to change about transporta- many years, and there was nothing timid about outsiders looking in. In other words, it was the tion in Longyearbyen is simple – I would like the Green Party candidates and their proposed Greens who made concessions to Labor, not the people to walk,” Rotevatn says). solutions. other way round. Deiller denies his film has an ecological Indeed, the film contradicts itself later by There's more! Visit www.icepeople.net agenda, but the tone of accusatory environmen- declaring Kristiansen “wouldn’t stop kicking for the complete story. December 13, 2016 Page 7

ENDRE FØR GJERMUNDSEN Polluting facilities are built in seconds near Nordenskioldbreen in the stop-motion film “Svalbard’s Glaciers – A Popular Scientific and Artistic Journey.” Picture imperfect Stop-motion short film uses photos, sketches to give dark meaning to changing at a glacial pace

By MARK SABBATINI Editor Warning: This article contains spoilers, which can’t really be helped since the film is about…spoilers. A pretty collection of time-lapse photo ani- mations might seduce viewers seeing Svalbard for the first time, but it’s hardly groundbreaking material for maybe the first five minutes of the seven-minute short film. As such, those whose attention wanders may miss out on a pivotal moment when a ship zooms rather hastily into a bay (although a nice sound cue may provide a needed jolt). What happens next is a series of animated sketches imposed over the time-lapse photogra- phy that convey one of the dark sides of hu- manity. But Endre Før Gjermundsen, a glacier researcher at The University Centre in Svalbard See SEQUEL, page 8 who is the film’s photographer, said the inten- ENDRE FØR GJERMUNDSEN tion is inspiring conversation rather than con- A cave under the ice of Nordenskioldbreen is shown at the beginning of the seven-minute movie. demnation. eventually be posted online. you get.” “It’s not just for illustrating garbage,” he The photography was shot during two two- The scenics that comprise most of the said. “It’s not against oil. It’s a metaphor to week periods at and near Nordenskioldbreen. movie range from caves under the glacier to show human impact on nature.” Gjermundsen said a total of 15,000 photos at a sunsets on the mountains. There are multiple The film, the title of which translates in rate of 24 frames a second are in the film. moving elements in almost all of them. English to “Svalbard’s Glaciers – A Popular “You hardly sleep much because you have “I kind of wanted to squeeze more than one Scientific and Artistic Journey,” was screened to be awake when there’s cool light,” he said. cool element at a time out of it,” Gjermundsen before a matinee last weekend at Kulturhuset. Editing those thousands of photos is a far said. “Not just the sky moving, but also some- Gjermundsen said he hopes the film will con- more complex challenge, Gjermundsen said. thing dramatic on the water and more.” tinue to be shown as a preview, plans to explore “It’s really time-consuming,” he said. “You There's more! Visit www.icepeople.net commercial possibilities at festivals and will have to work really hard for those few seconds for the complete story. Page 8 December 13, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY A chart, left, shows when Svalbard's inland glaciers are likely to vanish under a so-called RCP 8.5. scenario, right, where climate change goes unchecked. Glaciers gone in 'worse-case' scenario SHRINK, from page 1 Letters states (tinyurl.com/hube6dc). The find- Nordenskiöldland, and Barentsøya and Ed- about the “business as usual” model used for the ings are based on a simulation of about nine geøya, will be first to disappear,” the study as- study, which assumes a global temperature rise billion computation steps that provides a day- serts. “By contrast, the large, and high-lying of 3.7 degrees Celsius, with some researchers by-day snapshot of 29 land-terminating glaciers land-terminating glaciers along the main ridge By MARK SABBATINI calling it a realistic worst-case scenario. during a 94-year period from 2006 to 2100. of NE are projected to partly last Editor The archipelago has been spared the mass Approximately 1,435 of of Svalbard’s until the middle of the 22nd century.” If December’s average temperature in loss of ice happening in other Arctic areas, but 1,471 land-terminating glaciers are expected to The simulation took seven weeks and cal- Longyearbyen is minus four degrees Celsius or “this could change in the coming decades, as disappear completely, according to the study by culated probable outcomes 900 times for each warmer, the yearly average will be above freez- Svalbard is expected to be exposed to strong a team of researchers from Germany, Spain and of the 29 glaciers. ing for the first time in history. But what climate warming over the 21st century,” the the United Kingdom. There's more! Visit www.icepeople.net seemed highly possible a couple of weeks ago study published in Environmental Research “We found that the low-lying glaciers of for the complete story. now appears highly doubtful with the commu- nity plunging into a deep freeze last week. Temperatures dropped sharply starting last Monday night and remained between minus 15 and minus 20 degrees until Thursday, accord- ing to the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Temperatures from Friday through Tuesday have generally been near or below minus 10 de- grees Celsius. But the long-term forecast through late next week still calls for temperatures well be- Gems from a small, independent low the minus four degree level needed to put jewelry store as unique as Svalbard Longyearbyen in the red, so to speak, for the year. Of course, the past year has seen a rather large number of staggeringly unlikely things • Quality gold, silver and diamonds at very good prices happen, including the mercury soaring to about • Distinctive watches, scarves and leather handbags nine degrees Celsius in Longyearbyen at the • Diverse selection of Svalbard souvenirs end of last December. Longyearbyen average temperature in • Located in Lompensenteret in the center of town November was minus 0.7 degrees, 9.6 degrees above normal and the 74th consecutive month We look forward to seeing you! above-average temperatures. December’s his- torical monthly average is minus 14.5 degrees.

+47 7902 1816 • [email protected] Follow us on Facebook: Gullgruva Arctic Design December 13, 2016 Page 9

Volume 1, Issue 26 "Hoping these aren't false news bits since 2016" svalbarddailyplanet.com

MAGNUS ANDERSEN / NORWEGIAN POLAR INSTITUTE A polar bear eats the remains of a seal on fractured sea ice in Svalbard. A drastic thinning of the ice sheet in recent years is making hunting difficult for bears. record-high temperatures. The researchers note France were presumably killed on impact, and TUESDAY it is highly unlikely polar bears will disappear most of the four-and-a-half tons of mail des- completely from the Arctic, asserting there is tined for northern Norway and Svalbard was Study: One-third fewer polar only a seven percent chance the population will lost. shrink by more than half by 2050. – Romerikes Blad bears by 2050 due to ice melt – Lantbrukets Affärstidning The rapidly shrinking and thinning Arctic ice sheet means there is a 70 percent chance the SUNDAY polar bear population will be reduced by one- MONDAY third by 2050, according to a new study by a Study: Svalbard's reindeer are team of researchers. There are currently about Faulty gyroscope caused shrinking due to warming 26,000 polar bears in the Arctic and the overall crash of Svalbard mail flight If Santa is recruiting helpers to haul Christ- population has remained relatively stable in re- The crash of a postal flight destined for mas presents around the world this year he had cent decades – and Svalbard's has risen since Svalbard on Jan. 8 was caused by a faulty gy- better take a few extra, according to researchers they became a protected species in 1973 – but roscope that resulted in the two pilots getting who warn that reindeer are shrinking. During the study indicates that is likely to change conflicting readings on their respective instru- the past 16 years the weight of adult reindeer in rapidly in the future. The Arctic ice sheet set ments, according to Swedish aviation officials Svalbard has dropped by 12 percent, likely due another record low in November with a cover- who released the report of their investigation to global warming, according to a study pre- age area of 9.08 million square kilometers, or this week. One of the pilots believed the sented to a meeting at the British Ecological 1.95 million square kilometers less than the av- CRJ-200 jet operated by the Swedish company Society (BES) in Liverpool. By the time they erage for the month during the period from West Air had started a sharp ascent, although reached adulthood, reindeer born in 2010 1981 to 2010, according to the National Snow the aircraft was actually flying straight forward. weighed just over 48 kilograms, compared to and Ice Data Center in the United States. Øys- It then appears the autopilot was shut off due to 55 kilograms for those born in 1994. "Twelve tein Wiig, a professor at the University of Oslo the malfunction, but the pilots tried to do con- percent may not sound very much, but given who participated in the polar bear study to be trary corrective actions. The plane went into a how important body weight is to reproduction published in Biology Letters, said in an inter- rapid decent and stalled, resulting in a distress and survival, it's potentially huge," study leader view the sea ice now melts one to two weeks call before crashing just across the Swedish Steve Albon of the James Hutton Institute in earlier in the spring in parts of the Arctic. This border near Akkajaure about 80 seconds after Scotland, told AFP. Previous research had can be critical because the polar bears follow the initial descent. The impact created a crater shown that when the average adult weight in the edge of the ice and rely on it during peak 30 meters in diameter, scatter debris up to 100 April is less than 50 kilograms, the population hunting season. In Svalbard, there was no ice meters and resulted in large fuel leaks that com- as a whole declines, he added. Scientists say along the west coast of Spitsbergen for the first plicated salvage efforts. The 42-year-old pilot land surface temperatures in the Arctic were time in recorded history due to months of from Spain and 34-year-old co-pilot from See DAILY, page 10 Page 10 December 13, 2016

ÅSHILD ØNVIK PEDERSEN / NORWEGIAN POLAR INSTITUTE A herd of reindeer feeds in Adventdalen during the summer of 2015. The animals fared surprisingly well during the subsequent winter despite icy surfaces. FRIDAY DAILY, from page 9 gian islands of Svalbard. New research has re- about 2.8 degrees Celsius higher last year than SATURDAY vealed how the British Isles have been hit by when records began a century earlier. Warmer giant waves at a much higher and intense fre- winters mean more rain, which falls on snow Can an underwater Svalbard quency that previously believed. One tsunami and freezes, preventing reindeer from feeding. landslide cause chaos in UK? reached more than 60 feet in height, with warn- SATURDAY This year's annual reindeer survey by the Nor- Britain's coastal towns and nuclear power ings that the waves could devastate coastal in- wegian Polar Institute concluded there was a stations are at serious risk from tsunami caused stallations such as power stations and shipping "low but stable population" during the winter, by undersea landslides, according to scientists. ports. The natural phenomenon is typically with the weight of the deer surprisingly close to The Landslide-Tsunami Consortium spent caused by earthquakes and they therefore were normal despite a difficult feeding season. weeks on a research vessel surveying and sam- never considered a serious threat to Britain. The range of research conducted on Svalbard this year – Phys.org pling the sea bed from Scotland to the Norwe- – The Sunday Times has been expanded considerably. In particular, the construc- tion of a cryospheric monitoring site based on the Circumpo- lar Active Layer Monitoring (CALM) standards is underway near ; random ice observations on Nordenskiöld Need the straight scoop on all things Svalbard? Glacier have given way to long-term monitoring; and the first long-term hydrological monitoring program covering all Our website offers "one-stop" booking for all lodging, tours and other activities, plus: stages of the hydrological cycle in Gronfjorden Bay and rivers in its basin has been launched.to. – CNN Photos of glacier taken 75 years apart show vast melting Two pictures of a Svalbard glacier taken 75 years apart reveal an enormous loss of ice, as well as a trend occurring elsewhere in the archipelago, according to Hanne Hammer Stien, general manger of the Polar Museum in Tromsø. "It's one thing is to hear someone talk about the ice melting and disappearing," he said. "It's something completely different to see it in black and white as with these images." The first photo of Gullybreen in Magdalenefjorden was taken in 1937, the second in 2012 by photographer and historian Tyrone Martinsson as part of an exhibition at the museum until Jan- uary showing historic photos of Svalbard compared to mod-

Rules, safety tips, history, fun A comprehensive calendar of A subscriber newsletter with all facts, maps, online movies and tours and activities that's media coverage of Svalbard details about major events updated daily during the past week

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www.visitsvalbard.com • +47 79 02 55 50 • [email protected] December 13, 2016 Page 11 Research-based education of the next generation of Arctic experts The University Centre in Svalbard Photo: Nils Pe ! er Dale

www.unis.no icepeople is seeking an editorial intern The world's coolest alternative newspaper has managed to go from dead to undead during the past few weeks, as our editor and lone reporter has officially been certified as a zombie. And with this fishwrapper expanding from four pages at the beginning of last year to 12 pages – and maybe more – this year, it's haunting to think what he might turn into if he continues to do it all himself. Requirements (hard to believe, but we really are hardcore "old-school" journalism disciples): • Basic news writing and photography skills. • An ability to appear sober while doing interviews. What you get: • Nothing (at least in terms of money, but that could change if we start turning a profit). • A bunch of clips and photos that will definitely get you noticed when you apply for jobs. • Expert (seriously) guidance in the ways of the trade from our maniacal editor, who's been doing this for real all over the world for 30 years. Contact Mark Sabbatini at 4151 4638 or +47 7902 1816 • [email protected] Follow us on Facebook: Gullgruva Arctic Design [email protected] if interested. Page 12 December 13, 2016

What's up Dec. 15 7 p.m.: Presentation of avalanche risk report by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate. UNIS. Dec. 18 2 p.m.: “Live” broadcast stage performance of “The Nutcracker” by Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet. Kulturhuset. 5 p.m.: Movie: "Den Magiske Juleesken," Danish animated/fantasy, all ages. Kulturhuset. ELISABETH KADDAN / SYSSELMANNEN 7 p.m.: Movie: "A Monster Calls," U.S. Repairs to an unstable mining trestle next to Longyearbyen Hospital were funded this year by a grant drama/fantasy, ages 12 and up. from the Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund. Seven more trestles will be fixed with a new grant. Kulturhuset. Dec. 19 6 p.m.: Memorial observing one-year Gathering green anniversary of fatal avalanche. Songs and speeches outside Kulturhuset will be ceived 400,000 kroner to study the health and Adult school, birds, aging mine followed by a torchlight procession to needs of Svalbard's reindeer and 250,000 kro- facilities among latest to get ner to study black carbon content in snow. the avalanche site at Vei 230, where environmental protection grants An effort to establish a non-formal adult flowers and candles can be laid. education program known as a folk high school Dec. 21 By MARK SABBATINI got a boost with a grant of 219,500 kroner to 6 p.m.: Movie: "Rogue One: A Star Wars Editor fund a pilot program. The program will focus An adult education program, restoring de- on sustainable natural resource management, Story," U.S. adventure/sci-fi, ages 12 caying mining structures, and studying a con- Arctic expertise and green energy. and up. Kulturhuset. flict in hunter and research wildlife statistics, Store Norske received 660,000 kroner to Dec. 24 are among the 30 projects receiving a total of repair seven mining trestles that are at risk of 2 and 4 p.m.: Christmas Eve Mass. 8.8 million kroner in the most recent round of collapse due to instability and 150,000 kroner grants from the Svalbard Environmental Pro- to refurbish Taubanesentralen as the company Svalbard Church. tection Fund. continues to turn shot-down facilities into Dec. 25 The largest single grant of one million kro- tourist attractions. Noon: Christmas Mass. Svalbard Church. ner was awarded to the Norwegian Polar Insti- The next application deadline is Feb. 1, tute to study why hunters and measuring de- 2017. Dec. 26 vices are providing conflicting counts of the There's more! Visit www.icepeople.net 5 p.m.: Movie: "Snekker Andersen og ptarmigan population. The institute also re- for the complete story. Julenissen," Norwegian family film, all ages. Kulturhuset. "!is book does not only cover comprehensive THE complete guidebook 7 p.m.: Movie: "Hundreogettåringen information concerning all Som Stakk Fra Regningen og Forsvant," "elds of possible interest, but is at the same time a by the complete guide Swedish adventure/comedy, ages 12 and photo book containing up. Kulturhuset. many color images to illustrate many wildlife Dec. 28 and #ower species and to document landscapes and 5 p.m.: Christmas tress party, featuring places from all over the food, songs, dance, trivia contest and archipelago." other activities. Svalbard Church. - Reader review 6 p.m.: Movie: "Dyrene i Sailing Voyages • Books • Photography • DVDs • Polar News And Information Hakkebakkeskogen," Norwegian animated/children's film, all ages. Kulturhuset. What's online

Icepeople.net provides daily updates of news about Svalbard and the world's polar regions, plus extras for articles from the print edition. Among the latest news: ● Did Russia test 100-Mt. nuke in Arctic? ● Russia/OPEC oil cuts to help Norway? ● Poll: Greenlanders want indepedence ● Antarctic explorer suffers 'polar penis'