Arctic Bulletin No 1.07 • PUBLISHED BY THE WWF I nte r n ati o n a l a r C T I C P RO G r a MME The way of the reindeer p. 12–13

Arctic view on latest global climate report p. 4–5, p. 16–17

Summer sea ice gone by 2040? p. 6

Pressure on Greenland’s narwhals p. 8

Canadian tar sands and the Arctic p. 21–22  WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 Contents l Bush lifts drilling ban in Alaska’s Bristol Bay p. 11 l Rapid climate change and the sea ice ecosystem p. 14–16 Sustainable livelihoods in Kamchatka p. 12–13 l l Hunting of Chukotka’s polar bears? p. 9

l Pipeline assessment must include how gas will be used p. 10 l What in tar nation? p. 21–22

l IPCC and the Arctic p. 4–5 l Intense period of polar research p. 8 Ice-free arctic summers by 2040? p. 6–7 l l Populations of polar bear in decline p. 9 Winter sea ice close to record low p. 6 l l Interview: Arctic view on global climate report p. 16–17 l Time for action p. 20–21 Massive ice sheet breaks away p. 7 l l WWF and Canon join forces on Polar Bear Tracker p. 23

l Greenland’s narwhals still in trouble p. 8

l Whaling undermines whale watching in Iceland p. 18–19

l WWF assists with Norwegian oil spill p. 10 l New director for the WWF International Arctic Programme p. 6

The Arctic Bulletin Publisher: Programme Design and production: Cover: A young man in is published quarterly by the WWF WWF International Director: Film & Form/Ketill Berger Kamchatka learns how to herd International Arctic Programme. Arctic Programme Neil Hamilton [email protected] reindeer as part of a WWF Reproduction and quotation with PO Box 6784 [email protected] project to provide locals with appropriate credit are encouraged. St Olavs plass Date of publication: sustainable livelihoods based on Articles by non-affiliated sources do not N-0130 Oslo, Norway Editor: February 1st, 2007 traditional lifestyles. necessarily reflect the views or policies Ph: +47 22 03 65 00 Nigel Allan ISSN 1023-9081 Photo: Laura Williams, of WWF. Send change of address and Fax: +47 22 20 06 66 [email protected] WWF-Russia subscription queries to the address on Internet: www.panda.org/arctic the right. We reserve the right to edit Associate editor: Printed at Merkur-Trykk AS

letters for publication, and assume no Emma Duncan on 100% recycled paper. responsibility for unsolicited material. Please include name, title and, address with all correspondence. WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 

Editorial

A new age for the Arctic

he winds of change are blowing in the Arctic. ground already know: we are seeing major changes Record after record is being ‘set’ as each new in ecosystem structure and function in the Arctic as a scientific paper catalogues decreases in ice area, result of climate change, with global implications. ice thickness, and glacier melting, together with The much talked about ‘positive feedbacks’ and dramatic increases in temperature, river flow, ‘thresholds’ may already be occurring. There is Tand incidence of new southern species appearing at increasing evidence of more rapid higher latitudes. disappearance of snow and sea ice Similarly, there is record public interest in the cover in some areas (e.g., Siberia, Arctic as a result of the obvious impacts of climate Alaska, the Greenland Sea) leading change. Newspapers all over the world have almost to further climate change through daily coverage of yet another arctic ‘catastrophe’. To decreased sunlight reflection (the use an Australian colloquialism: even Blind Freddy albedo effect) and insulation effects. could not ignore what is happening! The basic physics of the magnifica- There are also significant shifts in the flavour of tion of global temperature rises in arctic governance with the Arctic Council secre- the Arctic (up to a factor of three Dr Neil tariat moving to Scandinavia and strongly renewed times, but consistently double over Hamilton geopolitical interest in the region from many of the the past several decades) indicate Director, ‘great powers’. This is a new age for the Arctic, one that enormous efforts are required WWF International in which the arctic nations, peoples, and organisa- in the Arctic and, more importantly, Arctic Programme tions such as WWF can work together to create a around the world. [email protected] sustainable future – or an age in which change in the Beyond these effects, we must Arctic results in a merciless rush to extract its finite now also take seriously the poten- resources at the expense of the world. tial for processes that were previously regarded as In such a dynamic context I feel quite humbled improbable – including massive releases of methane writing my first editorial as director of the WWF from melting permafrost and currently solid deposits International Arctic Programme following in the on the seafloor – which would hugely increase the footsteps of two highly experienced, committed, and amount of this powerful greenhouse gas in the successful advocates for arctic conservation. The atmosphere. respect and influence WWF enjoys in the region Such issues raise many challenges, not least the is largely due to the efforts of Samantha Smith need to engage even more strongly with the scientific and Peter Prokosch, and those of their staff and community, the nations who govern the region, the colleagues around the world. peoples who live in and use the Arctic, and indeed In spite of this work the necessity of achieving real, the wider global community. resilience-building outcomes in the Arctic is now We need to think carefully about appropriate urgent and daunting. Much more than simply the conservation strategies, governance regimes, and ‘canary in the coal mine’ of global climate change, ways to deal with the myriad of complex and inter- the Arctic is the region where much of the world’s acting issues, often originating far from their points future may be decided over the coming decades. That of impact. Importantly we need to learn to better future will focus on our response to human-induced speak many ‘languages’, including those of busi- climate change. ness, media, politics, and science, to communicate The WWF Network and its partners are very well the burning need for action. Practical solutions are placed to shape the directions, decisions, and strate- needed now at local and global scales and cannot be gies that will be adopted. achieved by WWF alone. The process of shaping this future cannot just be The intrinsic values of the Arctic and the imme- based on a continuation of past activities. The Arctic diate threats to these values and to the rest of the is now a global political issue and should remain world are sobering. However if we want to maintain one into the future. As I write, the Summary for a stable world, we have no alternative but to find Policymakers of the IPCC Working Group II (Impacts solutions. Together, let us make it happen in the and Adaptation) is being debated, with early drafts Arctic, and bring to life WWF’s slogan: For a Living echoing what most of those with an ear to the Planet.  News WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07

Climate Change College 2007 Year two of the B&J’s Climate Change College (in which WWF is a partner) IPCC and the Arctic is under way, with six ambassadors chosen from he latest report from the Intergovernmental in areas such as the Bering Sea (see box the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presents below). and Germany. The College Ta dire outlook for the Arctic and the rest If climate change continues along the offers 18–30 year olds of the planet unless something drastic is scenario trajectories projected by the IPCC, the chance to educate done to curb greenhouse gas emissions. then some arctic species, especially the top- themselves about the causes The IPCC report confirms much of level predators, could decline or disappear and politics of, and potential what is already known about the current altogether. solutions for, climate and projected impacts of climate change in IPCC experts state clearly that some climate change with an emphasis on the Arctic. Over the last few decades, arctic change is already unavoidable, but that there developing their own climate surface air temperatures have warmed at is still time to protect against some of the most change campaign. Each of around twice the global rate and major disastrous effects. This response must come as the ambassadors is tasked ecosystem shifts are beginning to be seen part of a broad and rapid change of develop- with using their personal experience to reach a wider audience. This could be through journalism, public Example climate change impacts in the Arctic*: speaking, or other kind of event. Their ultimate goal is to inspire carbon emissions reductions as well as the tangible goal of signing up 500 new e-campaigners for WWF. Read more about the College as well as the ambassador’s blogs at: www. climatechangecollege.org

Orcas attracted to warmer arctic waters? Orcas (or killer whales) appear to be showing up in greater numbers and staying longer in Hudson Bay, Canada. Jeff Higdon, a graduate student at the University of Manitoba working with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, told Reuters: “For a number of years, Inuit hunters in the eastern Arctic have been reporting Hudson Bay: fewer polar bear cubs Nortern Siberia: methane emissions that the number of killer whales is increasing.” The reason for their appearance is still unknown, although ■Increased shoreline erosion already seen on Arctic ■In both the Arctic and Antarctic, climate change Higdon noted that there was Ocean & Beaufort Sea coasts due to climate warming will lead to reduced habitat (including sea ice) for a “significant correlation” (1970–2000 relative to 1954–1970). migratory birds and mammals, with major implications between declining sea ice in for predators such as seals and polar bears that rely ■The Arctic could change from a region that Hudson Bay and increased on sea ice for hunting. recorded sightings of orcas. traditionally stores greenhouse gases such as carbon Although orcas have often dioxide and methane, to a region that emits these ■The condition of adult bears has declined in the frequented the waters of gases in vast quantities as its permafrost melts. In Hudson Bay region and first-year cubs come ashore in Hudson Bay, researchers Northern Siberia alone, methane emissions from poor condition. The number of cubs as a proportion and Inuit hunters are keen wetlands are estimated to increase by 10–63 percent. of the population has also fallen as a result of the early to understand the recent This methane source comprises a positive feedback to break-up of sea ice. climate change, as the thawing increases in response increase in sightings. Source: ■The pole-ward migration of existing species and to further warming. Reuters competition from invading species will continue to WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 News 

ment strategies, looking to avoid continued Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Proposed pipeline significant carbon dioxide emissions. concluded that satellite and other observa- cuts through Dr Lara Hansen, chief scientist in WWF’s tions show that arctic ice cover is actually struggling caribou Global Climate Change Programme, said: retreating more rapidly than estimated by herd’s range “The IPCC makes it clear that there is a any of the 18 computer models used by the The Mackenzie Valley Pipeline window of opportunity – but that it’s closing IPCC in preparing its 2007 assessments. Joint Review Panel was told fast. The world needs to use its collective Mark Serreze, NSIDC scientist and co- during a hearing in Inuvik, brains to think ahead for the next ten years author of the study, said: “Our study indi- Northwest Territories (NWT), and work together to prevent this crisis.” cates that the impacts of greenhouse gases on Canada, that the proposed In the IPCC’s strongest conclusion yet arctic sea ice are strong and growing.” Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline regarding the cause of climate change, it says See the back cover for a comparison would cut through the middle that it is 90–99 percent likely that climate of actual observations versus the decline of the range of the Cape change is caused by humans. predicted by IPCC models. Bathurst caribou herd. The Nigel Allan herd’s population has dropped Sea ice retreating faster than IPCC [email protected] alarmingly, from 17,500 in 1992 models predicted to 1,800 in 2006. John Nagy, A recent study by the National Snow and Read an interview with Dr Robert Corell, chair of a biologist with the NWT Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) and the National the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, on page 14-16 government, said: “The small number of calves in early July indicates that few yearlings will be recruited to the Cape Bathurst herd in 2007. This suggests that a further decline in the Cape Bathurst [herd] can be anticipated.” The Canadian government recommends Imperial Oil, the lead partner in the pipeline project, monitor the herds and develop a management plan. Source: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Bowhead sanctuary created but protection needed for narwhal A deal to create a sanctuary for bowhead whales in Isabella Bay, Nunavut, Canada, has been signed between the Canadian government and Nunavut’s land claim organisation. Local people have been seeking protection for the area since 1982. The deal now needs to be ratified by Inuit groups and then signed off by the Canadian government. Pete Nortern Siberia: methane emissions Arctic ice retreating Ewins, species director at WWF-Canada, says the deal is an essential step but pointed alter species composition and abundance. These *Information from the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report’s Working Group out that there are many areas southern emigrants to the Arctic will also bring with II (impacts, adaptation and vulnerability). A summary for policy makers of Nunavut that still require them new parasites and/or diseases to which arctic of the science report from Working Group I (science of climate change) protection, such as Milne species are not adapted, thereby increasing mortality. was released in February 2007 and the summary from Working Group Inlet and Eclipse Sound in III (mitigation of climate change) was released in May 2007. For more North Baffin, an important ■Warming of areas of the northern polar oceans information see: www.ipcc.ch narwhal habitat, where has already had a negative impact on community there is increasing pressure composition, biomass, and distribution of to construct a year-round phytoplankton and zooplankton (read the article deepwater port to extract iron Rapid climate change and the sea ice ecosystem on ore. Nunavut’s caribou calving page 14–16). grounds are also threatened as the area has been subject to ■Arctic glaciers will continue to retreat with a heavy mineral staking. Source: consequent impact on global sea level. Globe and Mail  News WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 Ice-free arctic Summer arctic sea ice extent: 2000 summers by 2040? nless greenhouse gas emissions and area are at a minimum. To are significantly reduced the analyse how global warming will Urecent retreat of arctic sea ice affect the ice in coming decades, is likely to accelerate so rapidly that the team studied a series of seven as early as 2040, the Arctic Ocean simulations run on the NCAR- could become nearly devoid of ice based Community Climate System during summer. Model, one of the world’s leading This is the conclusion of a tools for studying climate change. study conducted by scientists The model results indicate that, from the US National Center for if greenhouse gases continue to Atmospheric Research (NCAR), build up in the atmosphere at the the University of Washington, and current rate, the Arctic’s future ice McGill University. By running cover will go through periods of model simulations on supercom- relative stability followed by abrupt AR

puters, the team showed that the retreat. For example, in one model UC extent of sea ice each September simulation the September sea ice could be reduced so abruptly that, extent shrinks from about 5.9 Greenland and Canada by 2040, within about 20 years, it may begin million to 2 million square kilome- while most of the Arctic Basin is retreating four times faster than at tres (2.3 million to 770,000 square ice-free in September. Winter ice any time in the observed record. miles) in a 10-year period. also thins from about 3.6 metres Arctic sea ice has retreated In this model run only a small (12 feet) thick to less than one in recent years, especially in the amount of perennial sea ice metre (3 feet). late summer when ice thickness remains along the north coasts of The scientists also concluded Winter sea ice close to record low ational Snow and Ice Data miles) for March 2007, compared September. March usually marks the Centre (NSIDC) scientists with 14.5 million square kilome- end of winter in the Arctic, a period Nannounced that the maximum tres (5.6 million square miles) for when sea ice grows, or recovers, extent of arctic sea ice in winter March 2006, the current lowest from the summer minimum. 2007 was the second-lowest in the record. The long-term monthly Low winter recovery means satellite record, narrowly missing mean for March sea ice extent from that the ice is forming later in the the March 2006 all-time lowest 1979 to 2000 is 15.7 million square autumn and growing at a slower record. kilometres (6.1 million square pace during winter. Sea ice extent, or the area of miles). September usually marks the ocean that is covered by at least 15 Scientists monitor arctic sea ice end of the summer melting season; percent ice, was 14.7 million square year-round, paying special atten- low summer extent means that sea kilometres (5.7 million square tion to its extent during March and ice is melting faster during summer, leaving less ice to build on during winter recovery. New director for the WWF International Arctic Programme Walt Meier, NSIDC scientist, said: “This year’s low wintertime Dr Neil Hamilton is the new will seal the fate of and our partners in a way that no extent is another milestone in a director of the WWF International the Arctic. Either it other body, official or otherwise, strong downward trend. We’re Arctic Programme. A geographer will be the victim of can or does. The role we play still seeing near-record lows and by training, Neil has more than 15 human greed and therefore is critical to the future of higher-than-normal temperatures. years experience in the strategic ignorance or the the Arctic. That’s quite a responsi- We expect the downward trend to development and leadership of shining example bility to take on. I’m confident that continue in future years.” national and international global of what can be we can collectively find those solu- change programmes on issues achieved through collective effort tions and help implement them.” Nigel Allan such as climate, the carbon cycle, to find real solutions. Neil left his position as Director [email protected] water management, marine and “The WWF International Arctic of FEAST, a European Union/ bioregional planning and food Programme works across the entire Australian funded initiative on security. region to find those solutions in science and technology cooperation Neil said: “The next ten years concert with the WWF network in Canberra, Australia. WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 News 

Summer arctic sea ice extent: 2000 Summer arctic sea ice extent: projected for 2040

By 2040, the Arctic that if emissions of carbon dioxide and the study’s lead author, said: Animated simulations can be may be nearly devoid and other greenhouse gases were to “Our research indicates that society viewed at: www.ucar.edu/news/ of sea ice during the slow, the likelihood of rapid ice loss can still minimise the impacts on releases/2006/arcticvisuals.shtml late summer unless would decrease. Instead, summer arctic ice.” greenhouse gas emis- sea ice would probably undergo a The study was published in Nigel Allan sions are significantly much slower retreat. the December 12, 2006 issue [email protected] curtailed. Marika Holland, NCAR scientist of Geophysical Research Letters. Source: NCAR Massive ice sheet breaks away n December 2006, after piecing one-way process as there is insuf- together evidence from seismic ficient new ice formation to replace Ireadings and satellite images, the ice that has been lost. scientists revealed that a giant “The Ayles calving event was ice shelf had broken away in the the largest in at least the last 25 Canadian High Arctic. years; a total of 87.1 square kilo- A huge section of Ayles Ice Shelf metres (33.63 square miles) of ice on Ellesmere Island in Nunavut, was lost in this event, of which Canada, broke away and floated the largest piece was 66.4 square out to sea on13 August 2005. kilometres (25.64 square miles) in According to news reports, the area. This piece is equivalent in size break took less than an hour, and to approximately 11,000 football Dr Luke Copland, director of the fields or a little larger than the city University of Ottawa’s Laboratory of Manhattan.” for Cryospheric Research, described More information: www.ice. the break as evidence of the Arctic’s ec.gc.ca/app/WsvPageDsp.cfm rapid response to warming temper- atures. Nigel Allan Dr Copland said: “Since 1900, [email protected] approximately 90 percent of the Ellesmere Island ice shelves have Source: NASA, Canadian Ice Service & calved and floated away. This is a University of Ottawa  News WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 Intense period of polar research

he 2007–08 International of saving this planet from some Polar Year (IPY), a period of of the major destructive forces it Tintense study on the Arctic and is facing. Antarctic, officially began on 1 “With more solid documenta- March 2007 with numerous cere- tion and systems for understanding monies taking place around the the functions and dynamics of the world. polar ecosystems, we will have The official opening ceremony much better tools and informa- took place at the Palais de la tion for backing up WWF’s work Découverte, a renowned science on securing the future for these museum in Paris, France. incredibly important regions, and The IPY represents one of the for the global processes they so most ambitious coordinated inter- strongly influence.” national science programmes ever WWF has been working closely attempted, with over 60 countries with, and also funding the work of, participating in more than 200 a number of the scientists who will projects, over 50 of which focus on be leading core IPY initiatives. We education and outreach. are also directly involved in several The poles are recognised as of the field projects being imple- sensitive barometers of environ- mented under IPY. mental change and IPY researchers Pete Ewins, species conservation will explore the strong links these director for WWF-Canada, said: regions have with the rest of the “IPY only happens every 50 years globe. Polar science is crucial to or so, and the original intent way understanding our planet and our back in the 19th century – better impact on it. integrated and focused scientific Stefan Norris, head of conserva- research in polar regions – is argu- Narwhal quotas in tion for WWF’s International Arctic ably even more pressing today than Greenland continue to Programme, said: “For WWF, the it was then.” exceed recommended IPY presents a unique opportunity Nigel Allan sustainable levels. to pool resources towards the goal [email protected]

Greenland’s narwhals still in trouble

a r w h a l h u n t i n g i n will lead to further depletion of the Greenland government Greenland continues at the stocks. promised to reduce hunting Nlevels significantly higher WWF previously reported pressure. than the recommended sustain- on the increase of the Greenland Greenland did enforce a able level set by the North hunting quota for the 2005–06 voluntary ban in 2006 on Atlantic Marine Mammal hunting season from 260 to export of all narwhal products, Commission (NAMMCO) of 310 narwhals following two including tourist souvenirs. 135 whales annually. illegal hunting events in West This came after a European NAMMCO has previously Greenland (see Arctic Bulletin Union import ban on narwhal expressed grave concern about 01.06). products and after increasing the apparent decline of narwhal For the 2006–07 hunting pressure from the Convention and beluga stocks in West season, the quota was further on International Trade in Greenland. While the commis- increased to a record 385 Endangered Species of Wild sion commended Greenland narwhals – almost three times Fauna and Flora (CITES). for the recent introduction of the recommended sustainable quotas, it is still very concerned hunting level. Thor Hjarsen, M. Sc. that present takes of narwhals Back in 2004 when the EcoAdvise & Communication and belugas in West Greenland quota system was introduced, [email protected] Thor Hjarsen/www.ecoadvise.dk WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 News  Populations of polar bear in decline ive of the 19 polar bear sub- populations, the western Hudson populations in the world are Bay population (Canada) and the Fin decline, an indication that southern Beaufort Sea population the entire Arctic ecosystem is (US/Canada), have declined by 22 under immense stress as a result of percent and 17 percent, respec- climate change. tively, over the past two decades. With the Arctic warming at more The other three sub-popula- than twice the rate of the rest of the tions in decline are those in Baffin world, and sea ice over the Arctic Bay and Kane Basin (Greenland/ projected to disappear in summer Canada) and Norwegian Bay before the end of this century (see (Canada). Ice-free arctic summers by 2040? The PBSG report also docu- on page 6–7), polar bears – which ments incidents of drowned polar depend on sea ice to live, hunt, and bears and cannibalism, as well as breed – face serious trouble. increased numbers of ‘problem’ Stefan Norris, head of conserva- bears (bears looking for food near tion for the WWF International arctic communities) in many areas. Arctic Programme, said: “The polar These observations are consistent bear’s powerful grip on the Arctic is with predicted changes caused by slipping. climate warming. “We need to stop run-away The report’s findings have warming. Climate change is melting prompted WWF to issue an the ice-bear’s toe-hold on life. This urgent call to action to the world’s bad news for polar bears is also bad governments to cut carbon dioxide news for other arctic species, and emissions, the cause of dramatic for the indigenous peoples whose warming in the Arctic. traditional ways of life depend on them.” Alison Sutton Adult polar bear walking According to a newly published Senior Press Officer, WWF-UK through semi-frozen sea report by the World Conservation [email protected] water, known as “grease www.arcticphoto.co.uk A lexander Photography, Union’s (IUCN) Polar Bear ice”. Hudson Bay, Canada. Specialist Group (PBSG), the Read the feature Time for action on polar

Bryan & Cherry two best-studied polar bear sub- bears on page 20. Hunting of Chukotka’s polar bears? fter six years of negotiations, prohibited in Russian territory, Russia will be represented by the in December 2006 the US limited hunting for polar bears Ministry of Nature Resources of ACongress passed the imple- may be allowed. the Russian Federation, and the US menting legislation needed for “At present the Chukotka-Alaska will be represented by the US Fish a US-Russia agreement on the sub-population of polar bears is and Wildlife Service. conservation and usage of the in a tough situation because of At the first meeting, the commis- Chukotka-Alaska polar bear sub- global warming. It is necessary to sioners should develop a list of population. organise intense monitoring of the recommendations, including key This agreement may allow sub-population before starting to issues devoted to conservation and limited hunting of polar bears, but hunt for polar bears.” usage of the polar bear sub popula- WWF believes that serious moni- After ratification of the agree- tion, hunting limits, and the period toring should take place prior to ment, a committee on polar bear of any hunting season. any hunting. conservation will be organised. Viktor Nikiforov, WWF-Russia’s Two commissioners from each Viktor Nikiforov, regional programmes director, said: party, Russia and the US, will be Regional Programmes Director “For the first time since 1956, when the representatives of indigenous WWF-Russia hunting for polar bears was strictly people and governments. [email protected] 10 News WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 Pipeline assessment must include how gas will be used

nvironmental groups repre- and trucks (see Connected to the fields needed to provide gas for the senting millions of North Arctic: What in tar nation? on page pipeline has been included in the EAmericans are calling on the 21–22). environmental assessment for the Joint Review Panel (JRP) for the Pipeline proponents continue project. Mackenzie Gas Project to consider, to dispute a link between the gas, It is particularly unbalanced as an integral part of the project, to be extracted from the Beaufort to exclude the development and how the gas carried by the pipeline Sea, and the tar sands. global warming impacts of the would be used. However the Sierra Club of other two-thirds of the gas since the WWF-Canada has asked the Canada has obtained new maps, project’s proponents have counted Panel to consider end-use scenarios which indicate that a direct inter- their economic benefits. and thus address the project’s full connection is planned. The organi- The JRP hearings on cumulative impact, including global warming sation insists the JRP must assess effects, and project sustainability impacts from all end products. global warming and other impacts and alternatives, have yet to be The project, backed with billions associated with using gas carried scheduled. It is expected that these of dollars from big oil and Canadian by the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline to vital topics will be covered later federal and territorial governments, produce the most carbon-intensive this year, and that the JRP’s final would trigger the petro-indus- oil on the planet. report and recommendations will trialisation of Canada’s North, With the US as a major market be submitted by December 2007. destroy parts of the region’s boreal for Canadian energy, US groups forest, and power greenhouse-gas- have been closely following the Julia Langer intensive projects such as further hearings as well. Director, Global Threats development of Alberta’s tar sands, The organisations have noted WWF-Canada which fuel North America’s cars that only one-third of the gas [email protected] WWF assists with Norwegian oil spill pecially trained WWF volunteers third of the oil spill has already been oil tanker it would have been a tragedy swiftly deployed to the west coast cleaned up, but some 300 tonnes of for this area.” Sof Norway to help the Norwegian bunker oil leaked out, with oil already WWF is concerned about the impact coast guard with clean-up efforts after reaching the coast. of the oil spill on the local coastal envi- a Cypriot oil tanker ran aground in bad Rasmus Hansson, CEO of WWF- ronment, particularly the eider duck weather, spilling several hundred tonnes Norway, said: “This is very sad, but population and other seabirds in the of oil into the North Sea. luckily the ship was in ballast and had area. According to authorities, about one- only bunker oil. If this was a fully loaded Since 2005, WWF-Norway has been training volunteers in oil spill clean-up techniques. The cost-free programme offers a professional and practical training course, giving the volunteers a broad insight into oil-spill clean- up strategies, including organisation, WWF volunteers execution, and general knowledge helping with oil-spill about the most common strategies for clean up efforts. handling oil-spills in the open ocean, Fedje, Norway. coastal areas, and shorelines. So far, 150 volunteers have been trained. More will be trained in an on-site emergency training session for additional volunteers if necessary.

Tor Traasdahl Head of Communications WWF-Norway [email protected]

Scanpix WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 News 11 WWF-Canon/Kevin Schafer WWF-Canon/Kevin View of summer sunset over Bristol Bush lifts drilling ban Bay, Alaska. in Alaska’s Bristol Bay

S President George W. Bush opment in Bristol Bay which was storms with high winds and has lifted a ban on oil and gas allowed to expire in 2004.” massive seas through the winter Udrilling in Bristol Bay, Alaska, Bristol Bay supports impor- months. Offshore infrastructure which has been protected since tant fish stocks as well as marine would be exposed to the full fury 1989 through a presidential with- mammals, including the world’s of these storms at a time of year drawal first declared by President most endangered whale species, when response efforts would be George H. Bush. the North Pacific population of effectively impossible. In addition, The US government has spent northern right whales. the seismic testing required to find US$95 million to buy back the oil Eichbaum said: “Why risk oil and gas reserves is known to and gas leases it sold in Bristol Bay ruining a billion dollar fishery, a disturb marine mammals and even prior to the withdrawal. valuable sport hunting and fishing fish and crabs. Bill Eichbaum, managing industry, a critical resource for Bristol Bay represents just a director and vice-president of the Native Alaskans, and one of the minor part of Alaska’s oil and gas marine portfolio at WWF-US, most important places for marine potential. Natural gas drilling at said: “I am very disappointed with wildlife populations in the Bering Prudhoe Bay — where the field is the president’s action. Bristol Bay Sea? delineated and infrastructure is in should be off the table for drilling. “An oil spill in Bristol Bay would place — is a much more substantial “We will now work with Congress have devastating impacts with little energy source. to override the president’s action chance of a complete recovery.” Tom Lalley and re-instate the Congressional Bristol Bay and the North Sr. Communications Officer, WWF-US moratorium on oil and gas devel- Aleutian shelf experience intense [email protected] 12 Reindeer herding WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 Sustainable livelihoods in Kamchatka Communities in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula are In early 2006, WWF launched an ambitious two-year project, with working with WWF to revive their traditional lifestyle funding from the European Union and strengthen nature protection. WWF-Russia’s Laura (EU) through the Tacis Institution Williams reports. Building Partnership Programme, to help revive reindeer herding and indigenous traditions in Koryakia, an autonomous republic located on the northern part of the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East. The overall objective of the project is to improve protection of biodiversity in and around the Koryaksky Nature Reserve by creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods in indigenous communities. There are 61 ethnic groups in the region, the majority of which are Russians, Koryaks, Chukchis, and Itelmens. WWF’s work is helping build capacity for reviving local traditions based on reindeer herding, hunting, and fishing, which in many settlements have been replaced with the modern- day woes of alcoholism, unemploy- ment, and economic hardship. Indigenous children have been uprooted from their cultures and their families. Without appropriate educa- tion, positive influences, or opportu- nities, they too become the victims of alcoholism and poverty. Some turn to poaching to feed their families, while others give up and leave for other parts of Russia. Ironically, all of this hardship is against the backdrop of one of the richest regions in Russia for mineral resources, and an area where nature has been preserved in a more or less pristine state. One of the project’s target groups is the indigenous community of Khailino, where a model project and business plan for implementing best practices in reindeer herding is being developed and master classes on tradi- tional handicrafts are encouraging a new generation of artists and artisans.

The winner of the indigenous clothing sewing contest displays her work at an exhibit on Reindeer Herders’ Day. Laura Williams/WWF- R ussia Laura WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 Reindeer herding 13 Sustainable livelihoods in Kamchatka The reindeer herding industry has centres. WWF has chosen the farm the potential to offer jobs to youths as a model site. A business plan and and adults alike, steering people away marketing strategy to identify poten- from poaching and other unsustain- tial markets for reindeer products able forms of nature use. However, and traditional handicrafts has been the current state of reindeer herding developed with the participation by enterprises is such that the industry the indigenous staff and members of has become uncompetitive in modern the local community. market conditions. With support from the EU and the While there are federal and regional Administration of Koryakia, WWF government programmes aimed at organised training courses for rein- supporting traditional indigenous deer herders and artisans, as well as livelihoods and reviving the reindeer youths interested in becoming rein- herding industry in the Russian North, deer herders.

these mostly provide stop-gap meas- WWF is also supporting four Williams/WWF- R ussia Laura ures and humanitarian aid as opposed master classes for artisans in the Young students with the most poten- A teacher works to building capacity and expertise in community, aimed at teaching skills tial will be selected to participate in an with local chil- best practices, marketing, and envi- for making traditional handicrafts and all-Russia exhibit of traditional indig- dren to teach ronmentally sound management. artwork. Taught by village elders and enous products in Moscow at the end them how to In Koryakia, only reindeer meat is targeting schoolchildren, unemployed of April to help them develop contacts make beaded used, with the skins, fur, and antlers youths, and women with children, the and learn from experiences in other jewelry. generally being discarded. These could classes help to pass on traditions to the regions. be made into leather, clothing, and younger generation by teaching the art For reindeer herders, courses at the ornaments as was once the tradition. of wood carving and souvenir making, Saami Education Centre in Finland are Given the high costs of transportation beadwork, treating reindeer skins, and planned in the autumn of 2007. WWF to get reindeer products to market, sewing traditional clothing. also supports a training course for reindeer herding can only become In conjunction with annual Reindeer young reindeer herders at the end of viable if the entire reindeer is used Herders’ Day, held in the village of the school year before the herds go to and processed. Khailino at the end of February, WWF summer pastures. The top six students The Korfsky Reindeer Farm, in the supported a contest and exhibit of the will earn stipends to spend the summer indigenous community of Khailino, works from the master classes. The tending reindeer in the field with expe- is one example of an enterprise that winners received prizes and recog- rienced herders. This practical experi- holds potential and has regular air nition to provide them incentives to ence is crucial to ensure they learn communications with the district continue producing similar products. the skills required, and that the elder reindeer herders pass their experience onto the younger generation. WWF hopes that efforts to revive indigenous traditions in a model community in Koryakia will contribute to conservation of the region’s unique and relatively intact biodiversity by promoting the traditional lifestyle that has existed for generations.

Laura L. Williams Director, Kamchatka/Bering Sea Ecoregional Programme WWF-Russia [email protected]

Children proudly display their work Laura Williams/WWF-Russia 14 Climate change WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 Rapid climate change and the sea ice ecosystem Much attention is paid to the effect of climate change and melting sea ice on the polar bear. But as Dr Brendan Kelly of the University of Alaska explains, the decline of sea ice will affect an entire ecosystem.

Over millennia Inuit and Alaskan As we travelled around the That differential reflection explains Eskimos have evolved a rich culture island in his walrus skin boat, Alex not only how ancient Yupiks knew supported by the Arctic’s seasonal told me that in his language, the the shape of Savouqaq, but also sea ice and the plant and animal island is named Savouqaq, a refer- contributes strongly to the faster life adapted to this ice habitat. ence to its shape. The island looks rate of climate change experienced Their dependence on the sea ice like something that has been wrung today in polar regions. ecosystem is clearly evident: in the out like a wet rag. A Yupik crea- One consequence of our late 1800s, immediately following tion story describes a raven diving warming climate is the melting of the decimation of bowhead to the bottom of the Bering Sea, sea ice. Once that melt begins, it is whale and walrus populations taking mud in its beak, and, back at accelerated by the resulting change by commercial whalers, approxi- the surface, wringing out the mud in reflectivity. As the ice changes to mately 50 percent of the Eskimo to form the island. How, I asked water, the reflectivity of the surface population in the Bering Strait Alex, did his ancestors know the goes from more than 80 percent region starved to death. shape of this large island – nearly to less than ten percent – resulting The whales and walruses exist, 160 kilometres long – without in further warming, more ice of course, not in isolation but as the benefit of an aerial view? He melt, and yet a further decrease in part of an ecosystem. This partic- explained that in the autumn, reflectivity. The importance of this ular ecosystem is dominated by when the island is snow covered polar amplification effect to global seasonal sea ice which strongly and the surrounding sea is not yet climate can be appreciated when influences the climate, oceanog- ice covered, an image of the island the surface area of the polar seas raphy, and biology of the Arctic is occasionally reflected onto the – as much as 34 million square Ocean and surrounding lands. cloud cover due to the high reflec- kilometres (13.1 million square Sea ice influences not only arctic tivity of the snow in contrast to the miles) in the recent past – is taken climate but, in fact, global climate in low reflectivity of the water. into account. several ways, most notably through Indeed, it is now known scien- a phenomenon first described to tifically that snow and ice reflect as Dependence on plankton me by Alex Akeya, a Siberian Yupik much as 80 percent of the incoming At the base of the sea ice ecosystem walrus hunter on St. Lawrence sunlight, while sea water absorbs is a specialised type of algae adapted Island in the Bering Sea. over 90 percent of the sunlight. to very low light levels. Blooms of

Climate change impact on marine mammals

Two examples of the varied remaining ice over water and often counterintuitive too deep for the female ways that climate change walruses to feed. impacts species in the Thus, the habitat suitable Arctic. for nursing for adult feeding is becoming disconnected Walruses from the suitable nursing Walruses feed on clams and other habitat. The prediction is bottom-dwelling organisms. Over for walrus populations to a nursing period of two or more decline. years, the females alternate their

time between attending a calf on WWF-Canada Ringed seals the ice and diving to the bottom to Walrus and other marine Ringed seals can dive and feed. Record ice retreats observed mammals are already being feed at greater depths – their in recent summers have seen the affected by a decline in sea ice. vulnerability to climate change WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 Climate change 15 Arctic marine food web

Research in the Beaufort Sea suggests that ice algae at the base of the marine food web may have already been profoundly affected by warming over the last few decades.

these algae on the undersurface of to depths at which there is suffi- tion of the ice edge in spring. the ice are the basis of an elabo- cient sunlight for phytoplankton to Many other organisms, such as rate food web leading through make use of those nutrients. seabirds, seals, walruses, and whales, zooplankton and fish to seals, The Bering Sea produces also depend on primary produc- whales, and polar bears. Sea ice the US’s largest commercial fish tion, mainly in the form of those also strongly influences winds and harvests as well as supporting plankton blooms. As arctic sea ice water temperature, both of which subsistence economies of Alaskan continues to diminish, the loca- influence upwelling and other ocea- Natives. Ultimately, the fish popu- tion, timing, and species make-up nographic phenomenon whereby lations depend on plankton blooms of the blooms is changing in ways nutrient-rich water is brought up controlled by the extent and loca- that appear to favour a different ➤ 16

instead involves their dependence major prey of polar bears and snow caves collapse before the on the snow covering sea ice. The an important resource to Inuit, pups are weaned. ringed seals face the counter- The small pups are exposed Ringed seal pups die when warmer weather intuitive prospect of freezing without the snow cover and die of collapses their snow caves. deaths as a consequence of global hypothermia in subsequent cold warming. periods. Ringed seals give birth in snow The prematurely exposed pups caves excavated above breathing are also more vulnerable to preda- holes they maintain in the sea ice. tion by arctic foxes, polar bears, The snow caves protect the pups gulls, and ravens. Furthermore, from extreme cold and, to a large gulls and ravens are arriving extent, from predators. increasingly early in the Arctic as As the climate warms, however, springs become warmer, further snow melt comes increasingly increasing their potential to prey early in the Arctic, and the seals’ on the seal pups.

Bryan & Cherry Alexander Photography, www.arcticphoto.co.uk 16 Climate change/interview WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07

15 ➤ kind of ecosystem. The spring melt of sea ice in the Bering Sea has long favoured the delivery of organic material to a bottom-dwelling community of clams, crabs, and other organ- Arctic view on global isms. Those organisms, in turn, are important food for walruses, gray whales, bearded seals, and eider ducks. The earlier ice melts resulting from a warming climate, climate report however, lead to later phyto- plankton blooms that are largely

consumed by zooplankton near The WWF International Arctic Programme’s the sea surface, vastly decreasing Nigel Allan spoke to Dr Robert Corell, senior policy the amount of organic material fellow with the American Meteorological Society reaching the bottom community. and lead scientist on the Arctic Climate Impact

The result may well be a radically altered community of organisms Assessment, about the latest assessment report favouring a different suite of upper from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate level consumers. The subsistence Change (IPCC) and its implications for the Arctic. and commercial harvests of fish and other marine organisms could ❝ be altered radically. Ecosystem changes, of course, Nigel Allan: Did the IPCC Fourth Recent studies would will be profound and affect more Assessment Report present what you components than the fish. Many would consider an accurate picture of strongly suggest that changes have already been observed the current scientific understanding sea level rise is going (see box on pages 14–15) and of climate change in the Arctic? to be accentuated by are predicted to accelerate along with the rates of climate change. Dr Robert Corell: I would say the melting of ice in The changes to the arctic sea ice very much so. I think the only thing Greenland. ecosystem will be especially rapid in it that has been overtaken by and profound. In the past few more recent science in the public decades, we have already lost over literature is the estimates on sea 25 percent of the summer ice cover level rise, particularly from the about the projections in the future (see Ice-free arctic summers by 2040? melting of places like Greenland rather substantially, so it is a really on pages 6–7). and some parts of the Antarctic. good report. The scientific community But by and large it’s an outstanding is working diligently to under- document. NA: Did the IPCC report adequately stand the manifold impacts of In the 2001 IPCC assessment, the cover the issue of acceleration of our changing climate. For many sea level rise projections were based climate change in the Arctic, particu- researchers, there is a real sense of on models plus a reasonable under- larly in relation to increased surface urgency given the pace of change standing of what is happening with reflectivity, acceleration of ice-sheet and the tremendous economic the ice sheet, particularly in places flows, and massive greenhouse gas and social impacts that will ensue. like Greenland. The most recent release from thawing permafrost and Many of the changes will not be IPCC assessment in 2007 based methane hydrates? readily obvious or, seemingly, even their estimates on models only, and counterintuitive. then put a couple of caveat state- RC: The issue was covered, but the Ecosystems have changed before; ments afterwards saying that it is arctic section in the IPCC report species have become extinct before. likely to be higher than this due to is not as comprehensive as the What is critically important with the rapid melting of glaciers and Arctic Climate Impact Assessment our current changing climate is the ice sheets like Greenland but that (ACIA) was, mainly because this rapid rate of change. Adaptation our ability to predict that with any had 300 people working for four – biological and social – requires confidence is not high enough to years whereas the IPCC report had time. The current rates of change, report herein. a much smaller group to write the however, are very steep. If the But recent studies would strongly polar section. They do make clear biological and social environments suggest that sea level rise is going to that these are likely to be accelera- change too rapidly, species and be accentuated by the melting of tors in the warming but there is societies will not be able to keep ice in Greenland and it is prob- not as much data in there as we pace. ably going to push it up closer to might like. one metre than the smaller number Dr Brendan P. Kelly that is in IPCC report now. NA: Will the IPCC report summary Associate Vice President for Research That doesn’t take away from the elicit a response from governments University of Alaska fact that the IPCC increased our that is urgent enough and adequate [email protected] overall confidence in our science enough to address climate change? WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 Interview 17

are overriding the original goals of Kyoto, all of which I think is a good thing. Dr Robert Corell NA: What about the Arctic Council?

RC: I think that the Arctic Council has major opportunities to address the climate change issue, because it is so evident in the region. I think the Arctic Council, being a consensus organisation, has had a difficult time to really be highly visible on that, particularly over the last couple of years. I think under the three Nordic countries, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, who will be the chairs over the next six years, my guess is we’ll see more concerted effort within the Arctic Council to address more directly a number of the oppor- tunities they have as a body, to address climate change. Back to the issue of methane hydrates, I think in the Arctic the big issue is the methane potential, and one thing that is clear, is that the Arctic Countries are interested in pursuing research and assess- ments to better understand that potential and I think that’s a good

The Heinz Center for the Environment The Heinz Center for thing.

RC: I think a number of things they will be far from enough to NA: In your opinion, how can a have happened over the last year or reduce emissions to the levels needed. global conservation organisation, so that have accelerated the inter- What other processes and initiatives such as WWF, maximise its potential ests of governments, industry, and do you see that might significantly for influencing global policy develop- citizens at large to begin to take contribute to achieving global emis- ments in the right direction? more aggressive action to address sions reductions? the climate change issue – every- RC: I think for WWF and the thing from the Al Gore movie [An RC: I see a number of things National Wildlife Federation and inconvenient truth] to the ACIA to happening. In the US, we have a many others who have become the recognition that countries are number of local city governments more active in this arena, the best really vulnerable. So I think we are and state governments taking thing they can do is help transfer going to see more action. action. The US is not a participant knowledge into forms that the Now my personal opinion is that in Kyoto and I think even the coun- policy community can first under- the one thing we do not understand tries that are, are recognising that stand and then act upon. fully as societies around the world the efforts to date are not strong One of the big problems is is that, as Jim Hansen at NASA enough to accomplish the Kyoto we have science speaking science indicates, we really do not have Agreement, but I think there is a language and advocacy organisa- much time to act because if we get redoubling of effort now that the tions speaking advocacy and we a warming of three degrees or so, Kyoto agreement starts in 2008, haven’t connected those two as well we are going to be in a different which is not very far away. as I think we can. If we can make it world than we have ever been in So I see us moving into a regime clear that the advocacy is based on before and it is really going to be where all of these targets for major solid scientific information, then its hard for societies to come to grips reductions in a short time scale credibility and its ability to move with the realities of what a three policy is going to increase quite degree [warmer] world looks like. dramatically. So I would argue that So keeping [warming] down to one the trend of these organisations to or two degrees is an imperative in work more and more closely with my view. If we get a warming the scientific community, is a good of three degrees or trend and in the long run it will NA: Though the results of the Kyoto make their advocacy arguments Protocol proceedings are important, so, we are going to be stronger and therefore more likely there is a clear understanding that ❝in a different world. to influence policy. 18 Whales WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 Whaling undermines whale watching in Iceland Whaling in Iceland new dimension within Icelandic US$13,000 two years ago).” This is presents a significant tourism. if it can be sold at all. threat to the country’s Despite the success of this According to the official policy industry (which is completely of Iceland’s government, all highly profitable and dependent on having access to natural resources in the ocean that popular whale watching whales that are not scared off by are utilised must be done so in industry. Asbjörn boats) completely dependent upon a sustainable way. Sustainability having access to whales that are is defined by three main criteria: Björgvinsson, chairman not scared off by boats in coastal it must take into account the of the Icelandic Whale waters, the Icelandic government economic value, social effects, and Watching Association decided to permit the resumption the resource base. of scientific whaling in August 2003 Whaling cannot be defined as a and Manager for and commercial whaling in October sustainable industry in Iceland at the Húsavík Whale 2006. The large and growing this point. There are no economic Museum, reports. tourism industry in Iceland, along benefits from whaling as there are no with nature conservation organisa- markets for the products. Whaling After a 21-year international tions and many Icelanders, believes moratorium, Iceland’s relatively these hunts are not only unneces- new fisheries minister, Einar K. sary and wasteful – given the small Gudfinsson, announced in October market for whale products – but 2006 that he had decided to allow also that they seriously undermine the resumption of commercial the emerging whale watching busi- whaling. This hunt included a ness and damage Iceland’s image quota of nine fin whales, a species and reputation. listed as threatened in the World Many politicians in Iceland Conservation Union’s (IUCN) Red have not considered the economic List of Endangered Species. importance of whale watching Iceland has not engaged in when making decisions on the commercial whaling since the whaling issue. The revenue from International Whaling Commission whale watching is already almost (IWC) moratorium began in 1985. as high as the contribution of The government has however commercial whaling during its permitted whaling under its ‘scien- peak from 1950 to 1980. As there tific whaling’ programme, from is currently only a very limited 1985 to 1989 and then from 2003 domestic market for whale meat, to the present, in accordance with and no international market, it is article eight of the International not expected that the value of the Convention for the Regulation of current whale hunt will ever reach Whaling. previous levels. Meanwhile, Icelanders have Erich Hoyt, senior research found a sustainable and much fellow with the Whale and Dolphin more profitable way to benefit from Conservation Society, recently the whale stocks around Iceland conducted an economic analysis – whale watching. This activity has of the whale watching industry in rapidly become one of the most Iceland. Hoyt says: “Whale watching popular aspects of tourism in is actually far more valuable to the Iceland. Icelandic economy than whaling. The country’s whale watching In 2006, 89,000 whale watchers industry has grown enormously spent an estimated US$18 million from only a few hundred customers on their whale watching trips, with in the early 1990s, to serving more a further US$29.6 million in terms than 89,000 visitors in 2006. With of total tourism expenditures: a its rapid growth and especially its massive boost to the Icelandic contributions to the economies economy. of small coastal communities in “The turnover from whaling addition to the overall Icelandic is meagre by comparison: a dead economy, the whale watching minke whale currently fetches business has created an entirely around US$10,500 (down from Húsavík Whale Museum Húsavík WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 Whales 19 Whaling undermines whale watching in Iceland is also damaging Iceland’s image connection with the larger issues whale population by 200 minke around the world as a nature destina- of conservation and sustainable whales each year will neither save tion, and thus is also damaging busi- management of living marine Icelandic fish stocks nor rebalance nesses and activities that currently resources. the marine ecosystems in Iceland. flourish due to this image. It’s hard to find any positive What is certain, however, is that it According to Hoyt some UK social effects from whaling, while will seriously damage the country’s tour operators claim that bookings whale watching on the other hand profitable, growing, and sustain- have dropped by around 25 percent has provided many new jobs and able whale watching and larger because of the recent resumption created new businesses all around tourism industries. of commercial whaling. He says: Iceland, such as new guesthouses, “It is likely that without whaling, hotels, restaurants, museums, and Asbjörn (Abbi) Björgvinsson whale watching tourism would be tourist handicraft centres. Chairman of the Icelandic A humpback whale even more valuable to the Icelandic It is time that politicians and Whale Watching Association breaches before a economy.” decision makers in Iceland, as well Manager of the Husavik Whale Museum boatload of whale Whaling may also have a serious as the general public, understand watchers. Skjálfandi impact on Iceland’s reputation in that the reduction of Iceland’s For a full report see: www.icewhale.is/default.asp?Id=571 Bay, North Iceland 20 WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07

Eric V. Regehr/USGS Large male polar bear eight kilo- metres north of Oliktok, Alaska, US, in the Beaufort Sea. Time for action Thirty-four years after the Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears was concluded and in light of recent decisions on the conservation status of polar bears, Professor Nigel Bankes of the University of Calgary and Dr Douglas Clark of Wilfrid Laurier University, argue that it is time action.

In November 1973 the governments not just the bears but also the arctic no regular meetings of the Parties, of Canada, Denmark, Norway, the ecosystem of which they are a and the Agreement itself establishes then Soviet Union, and the US, part. Importantly the Agreement no formal scientific advisory body. recognising their special respon- requires the Parties to take “appro- It’s true that Norway did convene sibility to the world community, priate” action; this cannot mean one meeting of the Parties in 1981 agreed to the text of the Agreement inaction – and it cannot mean (to decide that the Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears. action that falls manifestly short should continue in force beyond The Agreement is a hard law of the Agreement’s environmental its initial five-year term), but this instrument (a treaty) that requires objective. is hardly the same as a continued each Party to take “appropriate The Agreement is frequently assessment of the effectiveness of action to protect the ecosystems of and correctly celebrated as an the Agreement. which polar bears are a part” (the important example of successful It is also the case that the World “environmental objective”) and to international conservation, but it Conservation Union’s (IUCN) manage polar bear populations in has significant institutional short- Polar Bear Specialist Group (PBSG), accordance with sound conserva- comings. In particular it doesn’t formed in 1968, continues to meet tion practices based on the best provide any mechanism to assess every four years to assess the health available scientific data. It is a whether it is effective in meeting its of polar bear populations and strong legal commitment to protect environmental objective. There are review polar bear science. However, WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 Polar beras/connected … 21 there is a disconnect between the tations … with a view to convening would provide the PBSG with a PBSG and the Agreement, since a meeting” to consider revisions or clear mandate to develop an appro- there is no clear feedback loop amendments. Norway might take priate methodology for assessing linking the PBSG’s work with the a leadership role here and convene progress in meeting the environ- assessment of the effectiveness of the meeting since it is both the legal mental objective of the Agreement the Agreement to achieve its core depositary for the Agreement and and helping to develop and imple- environmental objective. currently the chair of the Arctic ment the Conservation Action If all were well with the Arctic’s Council. Plan. ecosystems perhaps none of this What should be on the agenda? Common to all three agenda would matter; but things are far First, the Parties need to re-commit items is emphasis on the need for from well. The Arctic Climate themselves to the environmental broadly conceived, coordinated Impact Assessment predicts objective of the Agreement. action to complement and supple- continued and increasing loss of sea As concrete evidence of this, ment the unilateral and domestic ice – the key habitat both for polar the Parties should develop a action that will flow from a US ESA bears and their main prey species, coordinated and comprehensive listing. ringed seal. Studies in Western Conservation Action Plan. Such It is also important that these Hudson Bay and the Beaufort Sea plans already exist for all other bear measures make some effort to suggest climate change is already species worldwide. Development address the underlying cause of affecting those polar bear sub- of such a plan ought to be an inclu- the continued and increasing loss populations (see Polar bear popu- sive process, incorporating the of sea ice – i.e., climate change. lations in decline on page 9). knowledge and values of diverse The Parties must recall that the In 2006 the IUCN re-assessed stakeholders such as indigenous Framework Convention and the the polar bear as “vulnerable” peoples, co-management bodies, Kyoto Protocol do not represent and added it to the Red List of environmental organisations, and an exhaustive statement of a State’s Threatened Species. The same year, industry. legal obligations that may be rele- the US Fish and Wildlife Service Second, the Agreement might vant to the climate change debate. proposed listing the polar bear as be amended to provide for regular The Parties to the Agreement threatened throughout its range meetings of the Parties to assess on the Conservation of Polar under the US Endangered Species – among other things – the extent Bears need to demonstrate to the Act (ESA). Conserving polar bears to which the Agreement is meeting world how they are discharging is now a more complex task than its environmental objective and their special responsibility to was likely envisioned in 1973, what further steps might need to protect polar bears, and the arctic and will require innovative, adap- be taken. ecosystems they inhabit. A meeting tive, and coordinated policies at Third, the Parties might amend alone is not action, but a meeting regional, national, and interna- the Agreement to establish a re- could provide a springboard for a tional scales. structured PBSG as a subsidiary concrete plan of action. All of this suggests that it is time body of the Agreement. The new for the Parties to re-convene. Article PBSG should provide a clear role Professor Nigel Bankes IX of the Agreement contemplates for indigenous peoples; this would Professor of Law continuing consultation by the be consistent with developments University of Calgary Parties with the object of giving under the Convention on Biological Dr Douglas Clark further protection to polar bears, Diversity (CBD) and the recogni- Lecturer, Dept. of Geography & and Article X(6) of the Agreement tion of the importance of indig- Environmental Studies allows any Party to initiate “consul- enous knowledge. The amendment Wilfrid Laurier University What in tar nation? The effects of the energy-hungry tar sands project in Alberta, Canada, are being felt in the Arctic – and its growth continues to undermine Canada’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions. James Leaton, senior policy adviser for WWF-UK, reports.

Canada is seeing a new gold rush as sands makes this oil a highly unsus- oil companies seek to exploit huge Connected to the Arctic tainable form of energy. tar sands deposits sitting under Extracting oil from tar sands the boreal forest in Alberta. The (or oil sands, as the industry has deposits are not a new find, but the rebranded them) produces three current high oil price makes them times as much carbon dioxide per economically viable. Unfortunately barrel of oil as normal oil produc- the energy- and water-intensive tion. This is not the clean fuel of process to extract oil from the the future we need. Tar sands oil ➤ 22 22 Connected to the Arctic WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07

21 ➤ is significantly contributing to pipeline – whose estimated costs Much of this forest has already Canada’s greenhouse gas inven- have risen to C$10 billion (US$8.8 been sliced up by seismic explora- tory before it’s even near a petrol billion) – to ensure that a repre- tion surveys and wells searching station. Canada has announced it sentative system of protected areas out the extent of the oil. This will not meet its Kyoto commit- is established before the Mackenzie habitat fragmentation means there ments – and the main reason for Valley is opened up to huge infra- are fewer and fewer interconnected this is the growth of the coun- structure development. or undisturbed areas which can try’s tar sands developments. To Previous experience has offer habitat to caribou and other compound the problem most shown that such developments wide-ranging mammals such as of Canada’s tar sands petroleum lead to indirect impacts such as grizzly bears and wolverine. products such as gasoline, are improved access for poaching, Operators have made promises bound for the US, which has a and that the extent of oil and gas to return the forest to the condi- highly inefficient fleet of vehicles. activity often multiplies beyond tion they found it in; indeed this Meanwhile oil companies are the original proposal. The First has formed the subject of a Shell looking to the Arctic to supply Nations communities in the Canada advertising campaign. Yet precious natural gas to fuel further Northwest Territories are consid- the slow recovery rate of this type tar sands developments. There ering the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline of ecosystem means that there is currently no strategic plan to proposals. Beyond an initial boom has been little success to date in guide the more efficient use of and inflation of the economy, delivering any large-scale reclama- gas at a national level and provide there is concern that the pipeline tion of land, and no land has yet a sustainable energy supply for will introduce negative impacts to been certified as reclaimed by the Canada. Conoco Philips, Exxon, traditional lifestyles, rather than Canadian government. Imperial Oil, and Shell have positive changes. The town of Fort McMurray, proposed a 1,220 kilometre pipe- If the expansion of Canada’s the centre of the gold rush, is line system, the Mackenzie Gas tar sands is not limited, then it’s seeing an unsustainable level of Pipeline, as a potential transit not only greenhouse gas emissions activity. House prices and wages route from the Mackenzie Delta that will be out of control. The have shot through the roof, with in Canada’s Northwest Territories. energy derived from natural gas is basic services and retailers strug- The delta is thought to be home mainly used to produce hot water gling to find employees who have to significant hydrocarbon reserves or steam to activate the tar into not been tempted by the tar sands. – which the industry is hoping will a more mobile form that disen- Coffee shops are offering golden fuel the unfettered expansion of gages from the sand. This separa- handshakes of C$5,000 (US$4,400) Alberta’s tar sands. The delta is tion process results in waste water to entice new employees. Oil also, however, a wetland of global being pumped to vast tailings companies are flying employees importance, providing major lagoons, which are left for decades in on a daily basis due to the lack staging and breeding habitats for to settle. The huge open pit mines of housing. A tar sands upgrading migratory birds. WWF is inter- and tailings ponds are so large they The huge impacts of tar sands plant north of Fort vening in the Joint Review Panel can be seen from space. projects represent a backwards step McMurray, Alberta, environmental impact assess- The province of Alberta is home for the oil industry. Companies are Canada in winter. ment hearings into the proposed to vast swathes of boreal forest. more determined to cash in on the high petrodollars than todeliver on commitments to tackle climate change or protect the environ- ment. Sustainable limits need to be imposed on tar sands activities before water and forest resources disappear. Both national and provincial governments need to consider how they can deliver sustainable energy for the future, rather than creating a carbon- intensive tar nation. WWF believes that Canada should develop a renewable energy strategy before approving any further major hydrocarbon projects in the Mackenzie Basin.

James Leaton Senior Policy Adviser WWF-UK [email protected] Dan Woynillowicz/The Pembina Institute Pembina Woynillowicz/The Dan WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 1.07 Calendar 23

Forthcoming arctic meetings & events

Arctic Council events AMAP Human Health Expert Group meeting WHERE: Lofoten, Norway • WHEN: May 7–10, 2007 • MORE INFO: Email: [email protected] AMAP Downscaling Workshop WHERE: Oslo, Norway • WHEN: May 14–16, 2007 • MORE INFO: Email: [email protected]

Conferences and workshops World Environment Day 2007: Melting Ice – A Hot Topic? WHERE: Tromso, Norway • WHEN: June 4–5, 2007 • MORE INFO: www.wed.npolar.no/ Third Workshop on Remote Sensing of the Coastal Zone: From Inland to Marine Waters WHERE: Bolzano, Italy • WHEN: June 7–9, 2007 • MORE INFO: Email: [email protected] Cryogenic Resources of Polar Regions International Conference WHERE: Salekhard City, Polar Cycle, West Siberia, Russia • WHEN: June 11–15, 2007 • MORE INFO: www.ikz.ru/permafrost The 17th (2007) International Offshore (Ocean) and Polar Engineering (ISOPE) Conference and Exhibition WHERE: Lisbon, Portugal • WHEN: July 1–6, 2007 • MORE INFO: www.isope.org/call4papers/call4papers.htm International Sea-Ice Summer School WHERE: University Centre in Svalbard, Norway • WHEN: July 2–13, 2007 • MORE INFO: www.seaice.info Alaska Soil Geography Field Trip: Soils Affected By Permafrost Field Course WHERE: Fairbanks, Alaska, US • WHEN: July 5–13, 2007 • MORE INFO: Email: [email protected] Summer Field Course – Arctic Plant Ecology WHERE: Svalbard, Norway • WHEN: July 8 – August 3, 2007 • MORE INFO: www.unis.no/studies/ Remote Sensing for Ecosystem Assessment Field Course WHERE: Kola Peninsula, Russian • WHEN: July 26 – August 10, 2007 • MORE INFO: Email: [email protected] Northern Encounters Conference and PhD Course WHERE: Tromsø, Norway • WHEN: August 6–8, 2007 • MORE INFO: uit.no/planlegging/northernencounters IPY GeoNorth 2007 – The “First International Circumpolar Conference on Geospatial Sciences and Applications” WHERE: Yellowknife, N.W.T., Canada • WHEN: August 20 – 24, 2007 • MORE INFO: ess.nrcan.gc.ca/ipygeonorth/ International Glaciological Society – International Symposium on Snow Science WHERE: Moscow, Russia • WHEN: September 3–7, 2007 • MORE INFO: www.igsoc.org/symposia/2007/russia/ For more on these events and other meetings, please visit: http://www.arcus.org/Calendar/upcomingEvents.shtml • http://www.iasc.no/SAM/samtext.htm WWF and Canon join forces on Polar Bear Tracker

WWF and Canon Europe have Paul Steele, WWF International’s of Svalbard in the High Arctic. The launched a new educational micro- chief operating officer said: “Canon bears were tagged in April 2007 by site for children on the WWF-Canon Europe was our first-ever conser- researchers from the Norwegian Polar Bear Tracker website and have vation partner and we are very Polar Institute with support from started tracking four new bears. grateful to the company for its WWF and Canon Europe. Building on Canon’s long-term ongoing support. We are particu- The movements of selected support of WWF as a Conservation larly thrilled to be partnering with polar bears can be followed on the Partner since 1998, the new agree- Canon Europe to undertake our new improved WWF-Canon Polar ment ensures that WWF is now first ever pan-European educa- Bear Tracker website: www.panda. able to increase its support for polar tional campaign for children.” org/polarbears. bear research and to gain valuable The Polar Bear Tracker has information on how changes in sea recently started following four new Nigel Allan ice affect this charismatic species. bears on the Norwegian archipelago [email protected] The “Save the Polar Bear” micro- site is aimed at 7 to 11 year-olds, and includes interactive games Arctic Bulletin supported by the Weston Foundation and prizes, downloadable packs for teachers and parents, and tips This issue of the WWF Arctic beauty and importance of on how everyone can help fight Bulletin is made possible by The the Arctic, so integral to the climate change by making small W. Garfield Weston Foundation, Canadian consciousness, is lifestyle changes such as switching a Canadian charitable foundation specific organisations in the fields shared with those who have off unnecessary lights. committed to making grants of education and environment. a stake in its conservation. The microsite has been trans- in Canada for the benefit of In supporting the WWF Arctic WWF gratefully acknowledges lated into German, French, Spanish, Canadians. The Foundation’s Bulletin, the Foundation is ensuring The W. Garfield Weston Italian, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, grants are directed primarily to that information about the unique Foundation for its support. Norwegian, and Swedish. B-economique Retur WWF-Norge PO Box 6784 St Olavs plass, N-0130 Oslo, Norway

Models underestimate loss of arctic sea ice

Arctic sea ice is melting at a significantly faster rate than projected by the most advanced computer models, a new study concludes.A ctual observations of September arctic sea ice, in red, show a more severe decline than any of the 18 computer models, averaged in a dashed line, that the 2007 IPCC reports reference. See page 5 for details.

Observations

Mean of models

Standard deviation of models

NSIDC data/UCAR image

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