WATER WWF'S INSECURITY IN OIL AND GAS MAGAINE THE ARCTIC 6 POLICY 16 No. 2 THE 2021 CIRCLE PUBLISHED BY THE WWF ARCTIC PROGRAMME

THE ARCTIC UNDER PRESSURE THE ARCTIC UNDER PRESSURE The Circle 2.2021

• EDITORIAL: LEANNE CLARE A region under pressure 3 • IN BRIEF 4 • ANTONIA SOHNS In rural Alaska, things are not as they seem 6 • INTERVIEW: PAUL OKALIK Saying no to the Baffinland mine expansion in Canada’s Arctic 8 • JENNIFER BRANDON Increasing ship traffic means a noisier Arctic Ocean 12 • RAGNHILD ELISABETH WAAGAARD WWF oil and gas policy aims to transform where we get our energy 16 • INTERVIEW: EARL EVANS The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou herds of Canada: On the road to serious decline 19 • FEMKE ­HILDERINK Strategies to help people and animals coexist 22 • ARSENII KIRGIZOV-BARSKII and PÉTUR HALLDÓRSSON Building intergenerational dialogue to solve Arctic challenges 24 • LEIF SAANDVIG IMMANUELSEN Drumming up a cultural connection for Greenlandic Inuit 26 • THE PICTURE 28

The Circle is published Publisher: Editor-in-chief: COVER: Dalton Highway, quarterly by the WWF WWF Arctic Programme Leanne Clare, [email protected] Alaska. Arctic Programme. 8th floor, 275 Slater St., Ottawa, Reproduction and quotation ON, Canada K1P 5H9 Managing editors: Photo: Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management Alaska, CC, Flickr with appropriate credit are Sarah MacFadyen, [email protected] encouraged. Articles by Internet: www.panda.org/arctic Patti Ryan, [email protected] non-affiliated sources do ABOVE: Muskoxen on the not necessarily reflect the ISSN 2073-980X = The Circle Web and social media: Dalton Highway, Alaska. views or policies of WWF. Fanni Barocsi, [email protected] Photo: Craig McCaa (BLM), CC, Flickr. Send email address changes Date of publication: and subscription inquiries June 2021 Design and production: to [email protected]. Film & Form/Ketill Berger, [email protected] We reserve the right to edit letters for publication, and assume no responsibility for unsolicited material.

2 The Circle 2.2021 EDITORIAL

A region under pressure

WHEN I STARTED working with WWF in fall 2017, one of The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us in a visceral the first meetings I attended was about the organization’s way that people are a part of nature, and that while our plans for the two years leading up to what it was calling interdependence can be our greatest vulnerability, it can “the Super Year”: 2020 was seen as a critical year in the also be our greatest strength. Many important climate- history of our planet, a time when countries around the related meetings that were planned for 2020 have been world would achieve important targets to prevent bio- rescheduled for this fall. Let’s hope that the mounting diversity loss and finally articulate their plans to reduce pressures faced by the Arctic are foremost in the minds carbon emissions for a healthier planet. As we all know, of global leaders as they figure out how to rebuild and 2020 will be remembered for a very different reason. restore this beautiful planet. But the factors that created the need for a Super Year This will be my last issue as editor-in- in 2020 have not gone away. In fact, it is now even more chief of The Circle. I have viewed this urgent that countries take swift and concrete actions magazine as WWF’s way of facilitating an to stop the loss of diverse life on this engaging, diverse and planet and the impacts of the climate informed conversa- crisis, particularly in the Arctic. The COVID-19 pandemic tion about the Arctic Just last month, the Arctic Council’s has reminded us in a through storytelling. Ministerial Declaration warned us that Overseeing that conver- visceral way that people are LEANNE CLARE is Arctic warming is no longer happen- sation has been one of The Circle’s editor-in- ing twice as quickly as the rest of the a part of nature, and that the greatest pleasures chief and senior man- planet: it is happening three times as while our interdependence of my job. ager of communication quickly. To understand what pressures I have loved working with the WWF Arctic this accelerated temperature rise is can be our greatest with the editorial and Programme. creating for the people and species vulnerability, it can also production team for who call the Arctic home, we decided be our greatest strength. The Circle. They are smart, creative and to share a range of stories in this issue dedicated to making this magazine a of The Circle that document the sources of some of these great read every time. I want to thank the many contribu- pressures—along with their consequences and some pos- tors who share their stories with us for free because they sible responses. love the Arctic and want to be part of our ongoing dialogue Several of the articles explore the pressures of indus- about how best to conserve it. And of course, I want to trial activities on the Arctic, from dramatic increases thank you, the readers, because without you, there is no in underwater noise from ship traffic to how resource way these quarterly conversations could spark real change. extraction and growing infrastructure threaten wildlife My colleagues at WWF have inspired me every day and communities. We also explore possible solutions to with their commitment to change the world and make it a alleviate those pressures, from transforming our energy better place. They believe it can’t be done without ensur- sources to educating people to building stronger relation- ing a healthy Arctic. Let’s all continue to support this ships across generations. cause—for ourselves, for the Arctic and for the planet. l

The Circle 2.2021 3 IN BRIEF

CHANGING WEATHER PATTERNS Arctic lightning strikes on the rise

ACCORDING TO A study pub- When these systems mix into a lished recently in Geophysical deep convective cloud, the cloud Research Letters, lightning can create lightning. strikes in the Arctic have become Lightning strikes are the key 300 per cent more common in cause of wildfires in the Arctic— the last 11 years—and another and burning permafrost releases study published in Nature Cli- vast quantities of greenhouse Photo: Charles J. Sharp, Wikimedia Commons mate Change around the same gases. The strikes and subse- THE ICE AGE time predicts the strikes could quent fires amplify the climate be twice as common by 2100. crisis, accelerating the cycle. Rising temperatures in the Last year’s Arctic wildfires Did hyenas once Arctic are creating the right con- smashed previous records for ditions for lightning to strike: carbon dioxide emissions, with when warm, humid air rises most of the increased wildfire roam the Arctic? and meets cold air in the upper activity taking place in Russia’s atmosphere, the moisture con- Sakha Republic, where millions A NEW STUDY suggests hyenas may once have denses suddenly while the cold of acres of land were destroyed. hunted or scavenged for prey in the Arctic. The air drops toward the ground. idea is based on two Ice Age teeth discovered by palaeontologists in Yukon, Canada. COLLABORATING ON POLAR BEAR RESEARCH The teeth are thought to belong to an ancient hyena species known as Chasmaporthetes. Their Tracking polar bears and seals across fossils had previously been found as far north as Mongolia in Asia and the southern United States, Russian and American borders but never in between. The question is: how did they get to North America? The hypothesis is that AMERICAN AND RUSSIA politicians with Russian scientists to pro- the hyenas crossed through Beringia, an area that are not known for cooperat- duce a 2016 aerial survey that connects Asia to North America (when sea levels ing—but it seems scientists are a observed the species’ populations. are low) in places like Alaska and Yukon. The different breed. In a multi-year The researchers used a hyenas’ ability to transit this area and survive is a study, scientists from both coun- combination of infrared technol- testament to their incredible resilience, according tries collaborated on a project to ogy, photography and visual to researchers. track polar bears and their prey, observations to track the bears’ The teeth have been dated to between 1.4 mil- ice seals. Both animals depend abundance and distribution lion and 850,000 years old, though the earliest on sea ice, but neither ice nor non-invasively. Their results known hyena fossils in America date to about 5 animals confine themselves to were published in May 2021 million years ago. They were found a few decades political boundaries, so research- in the scientific journal PLOS ago, but drew scientists’ attention again recently ers need access to both American One. They found high polar bear when an expert in hyena palaeontology realized and Russian waters to monitor densities on sea ice in Russian they represented the first evidence of Chasma- them accurately. waters south of Wrangell Island porthetes crossing Beringia. To survey polar bears and ice in the spring, and concluded that Hyenas are commonly assumed to be limited seals across the entire Chukchi springtime aerial surveys may be to African savannah ecosystems, but they can Sea, US researchers with the the best approach for studying survive in a range of habitats and conditions. National Ocean and Atmospheric the abundance and distribution Administration and the US Fish of polar bears and their prey over and Wildlife Service partnered large, remote areas.

4 The Circle 2.2021 ArcNet is a network of priority areas for marine conservation that spans the entire Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas.

PROTECTING MARINE LIFE WWF launches ArcNet

IN MAY, WWF released a new ArcNet’s goal is to help a database of marine life with the WWF Arctic Pro- tool to help marine life in meet international targets to that shows where more than gramme. “It will help govern- the Arctic stay healthy and protect and conserve at least 800 different features and ments to ensure a healthy resilient despite the ongoing 30 per cent of the planet functions of the Arctic’s eco- and connected Arctic Ocean climate crisis: ArcNet, an by 2030. The ArcNet map system can be found. where plankton, fish, whales Arctic Ocean network of shows a network of all the “ArcNet is a vision for and seabirds all contribute to priority areas for conserva- priority areas governments the Arctic Ocean where its the well-being of nature and tion. It is designed to help and communities need to diverse web of life continues people around the world.” governments, scientists, conserve throughout the to provide food, livelihoods communities and industry Arctic Ocean. It proposes a and cultural identity for the Download the full report: A work together to protect the process and provides tools Arctic’s four million people,” Guide to ArcNet: An Arctic region’s vulnerable coastal for marine planning and says Dr. Martin Sommer- Ocean Network of Priority and marine areas. management that include korn, head of conservation Areas for Conservation.

The Circle 2.2021 5 Water truck, Bethel, Alaska. Photo: Andrea Pokrzywinski, CC, Flickr Photo: Water (in)security In rural Alaska, things are not as they seem Many people have the impression that water is widely available to everyone in the Arctic. They would be surprised to learn that actually,­ rural Alaskan households often lack sufficient access to the water they require for their daily needs.ANTONIA SOHNS explains.

ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, a household’s water infrastructure in the north, Alaska four-wheeler or snowmobile, or cannot access to water can be affected by many ranks fiftieth among the United States afford gasoline, they must depend on factors. In the Arctic, these factors are for household connections to running family, neighbours and friends to gather likely to include ageing or deteriorated water and sewer service. More than 200 enough water for their personal use and local or regional water infrastructure, rural Alaskan communities have inad- consumption. decreased funding for new construction, equate access to water. The range of water service between climate change and the price of water. The residents of these communities rural communities—and between rural Despite a number of well-intentioned are primarily Alaska Native people. and urban households—means different government- and community-led initia- Due to the lack of in-home water, many communities can pay very different tives, infrastructure challenges have households must haul water to their prices for water. The harder it is for affected Alaska’s water systems for more homes from central watering points people to get their water, the higher the than 45 years. Due to the difficulties or their preferred water resources. price they pay. In the Highlands subdi- involved in building and maintaining If a resident does not have a vehicle, vision of Anchorage, the metered rate

6 The Circle 2.2021 per 1,000 gallons (about 3,786 litres) of water was US$4.98 for a household With the impacts of the climate crisis manifesting more than in 2017. In comparison, in Eek, Alaska, twice as quickly in the Arctic as in the rest of the world, home to just under 500 mostly Alaska Native residents, people continue to household water insecurity in the area is growing. Climate haul treated water from a community watering point, and they pay US$50 per change can cause lakes and rivers to sink into thawing 1,000 gallons. In 2020, the Alaska Department of permafrost or change their courses. It can rupture pipes Environmental Conservation developed due to thawing and warping in warmer temperatures. an indicator to help determine the affordability of residential rates for water and sewer utilities. The indicator nities have been especially challenged impacts from the chronic stress of water produces a score to determine the level during the COVID-19 pandemic, as insecurity. of burden based on water and sewer global health professionals recommend Another notable consequence that has costs as a percentage of household increased handwashing and hygiene. received more attention is the higher income as well as on socioeconomic Many households cannot easily increase rate of waterborne disease: gastrointes- factors that affect affordability. Many their water use to protect themselves tinal infections are caused by poor water remote Alaskan communities have a from the deadly virus. quality, and water-washed diseases burden level that is considered high. (such as skin and respiratory infections) THE CONSEQUENCES OF are caused by inadequate water quanti- VARIATIONS IN WATER ACCESS RESTRICTED ACCESS TO ty. In rural Alaskan communities where AND USE WATER fewer than 10 per cent of homes have Due to the costliness of water and the Recent research into the factors that piped water, infants are hospitalized challenges involved in accessing it, contribute to water insecurity in for pneumonia rural Alaskan homes without piped Alaskan households has found that and respiratory ANTONIA water were found to use just 5.7 litres of policymakers tend to focus more on the infection at a SOHNS is a water per person per day on average, far causes of water insecurity than on the significantly postdoctoral below the World Health Organization consequences, even though the conse- higher rate. researcher with standard of 20 litres. In comparison, quences can include people being forced With the the Sustainable the average American resident uses to make trade-offs between water, food impacts of the Futures Lab in the Depart- 302 to 379 litres per day. Researchers and energy, or suffering mental health climate crisis ment of Natural Resource have documented that before in-home manifesting Sciences at McGill Univer- water service became available in some more than twice sity in Canada. Alaskan homes, mean household water as quickly in the use was 3.4 to 5.7 litres per person per Arctic as in the day compared to 34.8 to 143.3 litres per rest of the world, household water inse- person per day afterward. curity in the area is growing. Climate Alaska has remarkably low water change can cause lakes and rivers to access even compared to other Arctic sink into thawing permafrost or change areas. In Nunavut, Canada, water use their courses. It can rupture pipes due in 2014 was reported to be 110 litres to thawing and warping in warmer tem- per person per day, with a Canadian peratures. Communities across the Arc- mandate to provide 90 litres. In the tic face new and growing water security Northwest Territories, the Canadian challenges because of climate change. mandate requires 90 litres of water per Going forward, all Arctic nations must person per day if the water is trucked, engage with one another to address water 225 litres if piped. In Lapland, the insecurity in their rural communities. By Finnish mandate requires 120 litres per collaborating and sharing their experi- person per day. Norway’s mandate calls ences, they may learn from one another for 200 litres. and identify best practices for designing Photo: Travis, CC, Flickr Travis, Photo: Like Alaska, Greenland and the The price of water in Alaska varies widely more resilient water infrastructure and Russian Arctic have comparatively low among different locations and is much for creating policies that consider local water access. All of these Arctic commu- more expensive in remote areas. residents’ perspectives and needs. l

The Circle 2.2021 7 Mining Saying no to the Baffinland mine expansion in Canada’s Arctic

The Mary River mountain before the mine opened. This iron ore mountain will be levelled over the next 10 to 20 years by 8 The Circle 2.2021 the mine operation. Located on the northern tip of Canada’s Baffin Island, Baffinland’s Mary River Mine produces 6 million metric tonnes of iron ore every year. It’s already the biggest industrial development project in the Canadian Arctic, but the company wants to more than double its production to 12 million tonnes per year. It also plans to build a dedicated 150 kilometre railway to transport ore to a port in Milne Inlet. Inuit in the area are concerned about the effects that a railway and increased shipping traffic could have on the region, and a public hearing has been taking place in Iqaluit and Pond Inlet since 2019 to discuss the expansion. PAUL OKALIK, WWF–Canada’s lead Arctic specialist, is participating in the hearings. As he told The Circle, without strong environmental safeguards, the project will have long-term negative consequences for local wildlife and Inuit communities.

The Circle 2.2021 9 Photo: Timkal, Wikimedia Commons Timkal, Photo: What communities and species call traffic on that road, the migratory pat- the area around the mine home? terns of the caribou are affected. But The area that is being mined is home to when the road is shut down for a two- the northern part of the Tuktu (barren- week period, the caribou can travel back ground) caribou herd, which has already and forth freely. In the years when there declined to extremely low numbers. The has been no shutdown, the caribou marine part of the project is home to have been unable to migrate to their narwhals in the summer months, which wintering or summer areas. Considering are a food source for the primarily Inuit these impacts, a permanent railway with communities of Pond Inlet and Arctic ongoing traffic and rail cars is a real Bay, north of the mine. South of the concern. mine is the community of Clyde River. These are the three communities that What do you think the long-term are bearing the brunt of the project. consequences will be for other The mine has already had an impact wildlife, whether marine or ter- on the hunters and the animals that restrial? depend on the area. I explained during The Arctic char have already been the hearings that there’s less fish and affected. The community has noticed less seal, and the narwhals have been that fewer fish are being caught in the displaced. Further inland, at the mine vicinity of the port. There is already site, iron ore dust is turning the road- constant ship traffic, with about 150 sides into red earth where traditionally ship transits a year, and they want to

there was nice soil for animals. Hunters Photo: Brandon Laforest double that. Seals in the area have also are also not allowed to drink water in Paul Okalik in Kugaaruk. been displaced from where they would the vicinity of the mine. normally have their pups in the early spring. And as I mentioned earlier, This would be the first railway away from the area. That’s a real con- the narwhals have pretty much been in Canada’s Arctic. How could cern for the Inuit. Right now, there is displaced and scattered in the summer it affect the caribou herd, which a 100 kilometre mining road in Baker months. Those things are happening migrates in the area? Lake in the central part of Nunavut now at six million metric tonnes, and A railroad is a permanent structure, and that’s been in place for a while. Studies they want to double that? So, God steel railways will likely scare caribou have shown that when there’s constant knows what’ll happen.

How have the communities Ba n Bay ­managed to voice their concerns? Pond Inlet It has been difficult. These meetings have often included technical sessions along with community days. The tech- The Mary River Mine nical sessions have been challenging

B A F

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I At the mine site, iron ore

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I dust is turning the roadsides

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A into red earth where

N Davis Strait D traditionally there was nice soil for animals like the

Iqaluit caribou. Hunters are also not allowed to drink water Map: Ketill Berger, filmform.no in the vicinity of the mine.

10 The Circle 2.2021 Taloyoak residents staged a solidarity protest with the Inuit blockade of Baffinland's Mary River Mine in February 2020. Photo: © Spence Bay Hunters and Trappers Association Trappers Photo: © Spence Bay Hunters and because the rules were changed midway impact on the environment?” That is through, when the board felt time Some of the community something that I would like the envi- was running out. That really confined members held a very public ronmental board to review and recom- our ability to take part. But we have mend: let’s use this structure to limit argued that this project will have an protest and blockade of the the dust being produced. That’s another ongoing impact on the surrounding area that needs to be looked at during communities. Understandably, some mining road and the mine’s these proceedings. of the community members held a very public protest and blockade of the min- airport. Their message was, Where do things stand now with ing road and the mine’s airport. Their “Look, slow down. We have this expansion proposal? message was, “Look, slow down. We The mining company always tries to have concerns with this. We would like concerns with this. We pressure the communities by saying that to be heard.” That blockade was a first if the expansion is not approved, they’ll up here, and it had broad support from would like to be heard. shut down the mine. Well, so what? The outlying communities. The communities last week of hearings were supposed to want to be heard. proceed in April, but then COVID-19 the railroad tracks at the mine port site struck in Iqaluit, where the hearings What steps would you like to see area and an enclosed crusher. Those are were taking place. We’ll have to find a taken to mitigate the impact of this up there now even though they’re not week for the communities to take part mine? being utilized because the assumption in the hearings and have their issues The communities have a real concern is that the project will be approved. The heard. Once that’s been done, then the about the shipping activity, because it’s current project employs a crusher that’s environmental board will write a report daily and constant, and it’s having an not enclosed, so all the dust is blown with recommendations and submit it to impact on their environment, particu- onto the land and down the tundra. It’s the federal minister, who will then have larly the narwhal harvest, which is a big just a matter of time before that area to decide whether to accept, reject or food source for them. They want to find will become like a wasteland as all the vary the project proposal. ways to reduce that impact. Instead of vegetation is weighed down by the iron I think a “nay” at this point is the trying to increase production, let’s find ore dust. only way to proceed so that we can find ways to reduce the impact it’s having During the hearings, I asked, “Can’t ways to reduce the impact the project already. So that’s one part. you just replace the current crusher is already having on Pond Inlet and the The company has already shipped up with this enclosed crusher to limit your surrounding communities. l

The Circle 2.2021 11 Underwater noise Increasing ship traffic means a noisier Arctic Ocean It’s common knowledge that as the Arctic melts, more ships are able to pass through the Arctic Circle. As JENNIFER BRANDON writes, these ships— combined with the Arctic basin’s unique geographic properties—are increasing noise levels in the area significantly, creating a big problem for Arctic marine mammals who rely on sound to communicate, navigate and hunt.

12 The Circle 2.2021 Walrus inSvalbard,Norway. TheCircle 2.202113

Photo: Christopher Michel, CC, Flickr Young spotted seal. Photo: jomilo75, CC, Flickr

CLOSE YOUR EYES and picture yourself the WWF Arctic Programme, found that in the middle of a quiet, calm meadow from 2013 to 2019, underwater noise full of flowers. Then imagine you have in the Arctic more than doubled, and suddenly been transported to the centre increased by even more than that in of a thumping, deafening, crowded rock certain areas. The main source of this concert. Which one seems like an easier increase in noise was more shipping place to have an important conversation traffic. with friends, to call out to someone far Arctic marine mammals evolved away, or even to hear yourself think? to live in a dark, quiet, ice-covered It’s a rhetorical question, of course. Arctic. With little light penetrating the But a simi- thick ice, they use sound to “see” their JENNIFER larly upsetting world as well as to navigate, hunt and BRANDON is a change is going find potential mates. The higher noise senior scientist on right now in levels caused by ships in the area have and director of Arctic waters. decreased their communication ranges communica- Thanks to its by half. Researchers have also detected tions at Applied Ocean landscapes of increased levels of stress hormones in Sciences in California in sound-absorb- the species they have studied. the United States. ing ice, the Arc- The Arctic’s soundscape is unique tic has been one because of its cold surface water of the world’s temperatures and relatively shallow least-disturbed ocean environments for basin, both of which help sound to centuries, filled only with the natural More ships will mean more travel extremely long distances near the sounds of marine life. But in the past six underwater noise, more surface, where marine mammals come years, that serenity has been radically up to breathe. Because of this, just a few altered by anthropogenic noise—and emissions and collisions— ships can greatly increase noise levels the marine mammals who live there are throughout the Arctic Circle. For com- struggling to communicate. and big problems for parison, in a tropical environment, the noise would quickly dissipate. A DOUBLING OF NOISE LEVELS Arctic marine ecosystems Not all Arctic marine mammals use A new report by the Arctic Council, and the marine mammals the same acoustic frequency (or speed supported by research from Applied of vibration of sound), and not all Ocean Sciences, DW-ShipConsult and who call them home. frequencies have increased at the same

14 The Circle 2.2021 The Sarfaq Ittuk passenger ferry can carry 238 passengers. It travels to west and south Greenland from April to January. Photo: Lars Svankjær, Arctic Umiaq Line, CC, Flickr Photo: Lars Svankjær, problematic rate. But there is a high most vulnerable marine mammals Melting ice is one of the most obvious degree of overlap between the frequency where noise has increased significantly. signs of global climate change in the ranges of ships and of Arctic marine They will then have to measure the spe- Arctic. As it continues, new shipping mammals. In other words, the Arctic is cific biological and ecological effects of routes will open up and existing routes getting louder at the exact same acoustic increased noise pollution on more Arctic will stay open for longer than ever. More frequency that many marine mammals marine mammals. They also have to ships will mean more underwater noise, use to communicate. better monitor noise sources in the Arc- more emissions and collisions—and big tic and predict how marine mammals problems for Arctic marine ecosystems HOW SCIENCE CAN INFORM will respond as climate change contin- and the marine mammals who call them POLICY ues to be a sad and worsening reality in home. To inform policies that will have the region. Policymakers should use this We must act quickly to manage the the power to mitigate the effects of information to better manage shipping increase in Arctic shipping to protect increased shipping noise, scientists in the region to protect the majestic, the soundscape for these important must first identify the habitats of the vulnerable animals who live there. animals—before it is too late. l

The Circle 2.2021 15 Wind turbines in Kodiak, Alaska.

We must move to a system that provides affordable, accessible energy for all without generating greenhouse gas emissions. Unless we can make this transformation profoundly and swiftly, the climate crisis will fundamentally and irreversibly change the conditions for life in the Arctic and on the planet. Photo: Dennis Schroeder, NREL, CC, Flickr Photo: Dennis Schroeder,

16 The Circle 2.2021 Energy WWF oil and gas policy aims to transform where we get our energy We are trying to halt climate change because we want to protect the whole planet from devastating ecosystem changes that will fundamentally alter our lives. The solutions that will help us bend the curve on climate emissions seem so easy, yet are difficult to pursue. We have to stop burning fossil fuels and enable nature to store carbon. WWF’s oil and gas position aims to make this happen. RAGNHILD ELISABETH WAAGAARD explains.

HERE IN THE ARCTIC, the effects of the the foreseeable future even if we manage climate crisis have been more visible, to limit global warming to 1.5°C. And the profound and rapid than in the rest of World Meteorological Organization is tell- the world. We are tired of news stories ing us there is a decent chance we will sur- about record low ice cover, record high pass that limit within the next five years. temperatures and the unprecedented scale In 2019, 93 per cent of the world’s CO 2 of wildfires. The rapid changes in climate emissions came from coal, oil and gas. are already affecting our priority species, Most of us have seen the steep curve of such as polar bears, caribou, wild reindeer emissions reductions that will be required and whales. These impacts will worsen in if we are to have a chance at not exceeding

The Circle 4.2020 17 a 1.5°C rise in the global temperature. Global emissions must peak immedi- ately and begin a swift decline if we are to stay within the remaining carbon budget. This margin offers limited space for emissions from producing and con- suming oil and gas.

TRANSFORMING ENERGY PRODUCTION Easy access to cheap energy has changed the way we live: it has given us lighting, heating, cooling, refrigeration, computers, airline travel and much more. The idea of returning to a time without these benefits seems unthink- able. In fact, it seems only fair that these same energy services should become more available to more people around NREL, CC, Flickr Photo: Dennis Schroeder, Residential solar project in Anchorage Alaska by Arctic Solar Ventures Corp. the world. But at the same time, accelerating climate change requires us to transform climate crisis to devastate communities, production or resource extraction sites. how we meet our energy needs. We individuals and the economy. Develop- Ensuring that the transition is just—and must move to ing countries and vulnerable regions that it respects the rights of local and RAGNHILD a system that like the Arctic are most affected by the Indigenous communities—means ELISABETH provides afford- changing climate and least able to cope designing and applying mutually WAAGAARD able, acces- with its consequences. Being powerless reinforcing environmental and social is leading the sible energy to prevent and respond to the impacts policies. climate and for all without of climate change increases the vulner- WWF’s oil and gas policy provides energy team at WWF– generating ability of these communities, leading to recommendations on how different Norway and the oil and greenhouse the loss of development gains and the countries, regions, businesses, investors gas work in the broader gas emissions. deterioration of living conditions. Mak- and WWF itself can manage the transi- WWF network. Her main Unless we ing our society independent of fossil tion away from fossil fuels and make task has been to develop can make this fuels is key to sparing these regions the the switch to alternatives. We have to an oil and gas policy that transformation most severe negative impacts. prioritize and invest in zero-emissions will keep the world within profoundly and solutions and harness the potential of the threshold of a 1.5°C swiftly, the cli- NO TIME TO WASTE renewable energy while prioritizing the temperature rise. mate crisis will It’s not an easy task, but the huge projects that cause the least harm to fundamentally investments required to make this tran- nature. We strongly urge countries and and irreversibly sition also have the potential to bring businesses to make their future deci- change the conditions for life in the about great opportunities—from excit- sions based on the physical, economic Arctic and on the planet. ing new technologies to new commercial and legal implications of the associated WWF is working to stop this from and employment opportunities—as the climate risks. happening with our global policy on oil International Energy Agency showed As a global society and economy, we and gas. Its cornerstones are that explo- in its recently launched road map for need to limit our production and use of ration for—and production of—new Net Zero by 2050. The world economy oil and gas for our climate, our nature oil and gas should cease, and existing will need a massive systems change and and our future—and we need to start oil and gas production and associated restructuring, and we have to make sure now. WWF’s oil and gas policy lays the infrastructure must be wound down. that the transition does not destroy our foundation for how we could do this and Between now and 2050, we need to valuable nature. our future energy work. l build an energy system that is 100 per All energy production, whether it cent based on sustainable renewables. is based on fossil fuels or renewables, Download The Transition Away From We are driven in large part by our comes with some cost to nature as well Oil & GAS: A WWF Network Policy understanding of the power of the as to the people who live near energy Position.

18 The Circle 2.2021 Industrial development The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou herds of Canada: On the road to serious decline The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq barren-ground caribou herds migrate seasonally in search of food, using habitat in Nunavut, Northwest Territories, northern Saskatchewan and northern Manitoba. Unfortunately, these herds are in slow decline. The neighbouring Bathurst herd has been declining precipitously and is now under a harvest moratorium—and there are concerns that the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq herds are heading in the same direction. This winter, in an effort to prevent this, the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (BQCMB) sounded the alarm about irrespon- sible hunting practices (including by non-Indigenous hunters) along the winter road to the diamond mines in the Northwest Territories. EARL EVANS is chair of the BQCMB and has lived and worked in the Fort Smith area of the territories his entire life. The Circle spoke to him about the role that roads and other factors are playing in the decline of the caribou and what actions the BQCMB is taking to safeguard the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq herds.

What is the current state of the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou herds? Both have been in a slow decline since 1994. This winter, some of the Beverly caribou were mixed in with the Bathurst herd in a protection area, so they were inadvertently protected. But the ones that came out of that zone were heavily hunted. The Beverly herd is more accessible to hunters than the Qamanirjuaq herd because of the ice road that supplies the diamond mines. Once you drive about five hours out of Yellowknife, you get out of the trees. It’s all barren land up there, and the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road—a 400-kilometre ice road, also known as the TCWR—goes across these barren lands. It’s rebuilt every year. When people see caribou tracks, they follow the animals. They camp along the road in their trucks—some put up Earl Evans leading a land camp at Aurora College's Thebacha campus tents—and they just wait for the herd in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada. to come out of the no-hunting zones. Photo: Aurora College

The Circle 2.2021 19 During migration, the caribou bunch up along the road, not crossing, and the wolves kill them because they have nowhere to go. Bears will kill a lot of caribou, too, when they're really vulnerable like that.

feeding. They’ll see a herd feeding and Photo: Green Raven Photography, CC, Flickr Photo: Green Raven Photography, then all of a sudden, a chopper comes A barren-ground caribou in Bathurst Inlet, Nunavut, Canada. and they will stop eating. And 10 or 15 minutes later, another chopper comes, Sometimes a group of 200 caribou will then the ice road, which runs northeast, and the caribou are still watching. When come out, and they’ll kill every last ani- with spur roads to the mines. that happens, it takes them longer to mal. The ice road is a large factor in the In the mid-eighties, there were gain weight at crucial times. In late number of caribou that are harvested 400,000 to 450,000 animals in the August, early September, they really because of the access it creates. If that Bathurst herd, and now 98 per cent of feed voraciously to try to put on a lot of road wasn’t there, I’d say probably 80 them are gone. The TCWR was a major fat for the fall. If the females aren’t fat per cent of the hunting of these herds contributing factor to their decline. At enough going into fall, they won’t get would not occur. the time, there were so many caribou pregnant and won’t have calves the next around, and the hunting regulations year, so they miss that cycle, and the When did roads first appear in the were pretty lax. There were no limits on herd starts declining. area, and how much have they caribou harvest by Indigenous People And then you have predators. We’ve contributed to the decline of cari- in the Northwest Territories. A non- discovered that a lot of bears and wolves bou? Indigenous person who had lived there are living right in the calving grounds— The first roads were built in the early for more than two years was allowed and the new roads are helping them. For eighties—the TCWR was constructed to up to five caribou tags. There was so example, Nunavut just started putting supply the Lupin Gold Mine in Nunavut. much waste at the time, things just got in its fair share of roads. We have the The diamond mines took off in the out of hand. And now there’s like 2 per Meadowbank Road—that’s 150 kilome- nineties. Today we have the all-weather cent of that herd left. We don’t want the tres from the community of Baker Lake Ingraham Trail from Yellowknife, and same thing to happen to the Beverly or North to the Agnico Eagle Meadowbank Qamanirjuaq herds. Gold Mine. During migration, the cari- bou bunch up along the road, not cross- What other threats are these herds ing, and the wolves kill them because facing, besides over-harvesting? they have nowhere to go. Bears will kill The ice road is a large factor Mining exploration within the Bathurst, a lot of caribou, too, when they’re really in the number of caribou that Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou vulnerable like that. ranges increased rapidly from the early are harvested because of the nineties to the mid-2000s. There was What steps are being taken to a lot of disturbance from helicopters manage and protect the Beverly access it creates. If that road doing survey work in some areas, espe- and Qamanirjuaq herds? cially on the Bathurst summer range. We’re doing anything and everything wasn't there, I'd say probably I was speaking to some Inuit who live we can to mitigate the loss of animals. 80 per cent of the hunting of up there and are really knowledgeable Education is a huge, huge part of what about these caribou, and they say these we do, because the more people know these herds would not occur. choppers really disturb the animals’ what’s happening, the more they can

20 The Circle 2.2021 The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq barren- ground caribou herds migrate seasonally in Nunavut, Northwest Territories, northern LEGEND Saskatchewan and All-season road Calving ground Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou ranges Community Winter road based on government surveys 1940s to 2011, northern Manitoba. Area with surface telemetry data 1993 to 2012, and traditional knowledge Proposed all-season road and/or subsurface Roads built to facilitate Proposed winter road restrictions access to mines make Rail line Power line it easier for hunters Data Sources: Government of Northwest Territories, Government of Nunavut, Government of Saskatchewan, GeoBase®, Natural Resources Canada. and natural predators Tim Trottier provided the location of additional proposed and existing roads and powerlines in Saskatchewan. Daryll Hedman provided additional powerlines in Manitoba. The position of these features is approximate and only intended for illustrative purposes. to kill them.

Map: Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (BQCMB) contribute. It is really important to road—it’s a matter of controlling your protection measures where exploration create awareness of what’s happening people. work is done on calving and post-calv- to cut down on waste and get everyone We’re also trying to protect the calv- ing areas. We support the federal listing to take only what they need. Some of ing grounds, a huge issue. We have of barren-ground caribou as an at-risk the local people are trying to limit the supported stronger protection for the species to give us more ammunition to amount of animals that are taken on the Beverly calving grounds, and caribou combat the loss of the herds. l

The Circle 2.2021 21 Melting sea ice in the Arctic is forcing polar bears to spend more time on shore, where they are more likely to encounter people, sometimes with fatal consequences.

22 The Circle 2.2021 Photo: Photo credit: Ivan Mizin, WWF Russia Human–wildlife conflict Strategies to help people and animals coexist Around the world, human-wildlife conflict is seriously affecting conservation efforts and livelihoods—and sometimes leading to casualties on both sides. An upcom- ing WWF report will elevate the issue globally. And as FEMKE HILDERINK explains, it highlights the need to unlock resources and partnerships aimed at enabling long-term coexistence.

FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, the Arctic’s reliable sea-ice habitat naturally limited interactions between Indigenous Peoples and polar bears. But not any- more. In recent years, the loss of sea ice due to the climate crisis has intensified human activity in the region and forced polar bears to spend more time on shore, where they are in closer proximity with people. As a result, the bears are becoming more accustomed to village and community food sources. The higher frequency of interactions between people and bears is also forcing community members to alter their habits and take safety precautions.

The Circle 2.2021 23 In some places, it is leading to deadly on the global governance, livelihood, consequences on both sides. development and biodiversity conserva- Youth and the Arctic Council Similar conflicts are escalating around tion agendas. It is intended to elevate the world, affecting wildlife popula- the issue to the highest levels and help tions and societies on multiple levels. the global community address the Animals are being killed in defence or issue at the scale required to achieve Building intergenerational dialogue to solve Arctic challenges retaliation, a situation that can lead to long-term impacts. It is also a call to total or regional extinction and nega- go beyond focusing on the symptoms tively affect the ecosystems where they and adopt solutions that identify and Having recently celebrated live. People can also suffer from injuries address the underlying causes of conflict and the loss of livestock, crops or other worldwide by involving affected com- 25 years of existence, the property, and sometimes lose their lives. munities as active and equal partici- Arctic Council continues to For example, in Sri Lanka, 121 people pants. evolve. It is now chaired by and 405 wild elephants were killed in We know that achieving some form of conflicts in 2019. In Tanzania, interac- coexistence is possible. As many of the Russia after Iceland passed tions between lions and people lead to case studies in the report demonstrate, along the chairship in May the deaths of about 60 people and 150 successful human-wildlife conflict 2021. The organization’s lions every year. management can be achieved through In addi- the implementation of holistic and inte- focus on youth engagement­ FEMKE tion, wildlife grated approaches, backed by policies has been growing and can affect that create an enabling environment for ­HILDERINK is a is a major priority of agriculture and coexistence. wildlife conser- livestock pro- Living among wildlife is an inher- the Russian chairship. vation advisor duction, often ent part of life for many people in the ARSENII­ KIRGIZOV-BARSKII and with WWF– resulting in Arctic, especially those who rely on local Netherlands and co-lead PÉTUR HALLDÓRSSON share food insecurity animal species for food and cultural tra- of the WWF network-wide and negative ditions. These people understand first- their perspectives on how working group on human- economic hand the benefits of living with wildlife the Arctic Council and youth wildlife conflict. impacts at because their lifestyles depend on it. can work together during various levels. To improve the safety of both people Human-wildlife conflict can result in and wildlife, WWF supports polar bear the Russian chairship to diverse societal responses that lead to patrols, whose mission is to protect the solve Arctic challenges. disagreements among people or groups residents of coastal villages around the and have indirect impacts, such as fear Arctic that are within the polar bears’ and psychological problems. ranges. Also, trials are underway to THE ARCTIC FACES complex and nuanced Unfortunately, our current solutions build bear-safe food storage facilities challenges that have been created by are clearly no match for the scale of and better waste management systems. a combination of climate change, loss the problem. While it is not realistic to Research focusing on the drivers and of biodiversity and colonialism. These expect that we can completely prevent impacts of human-wildlife conflict and forces have negatively affected its rich human-wildlife conflict, a well-planned, possible monitoring systems is ongoing. diversity of cultures, languages and integrated approach could reduce con- Although great initiatives are being knowledge systems, in turn impairing flicts and lead to a form of coexistence. implemented, more collective action on the resilience of its communities and Such an integrated approach requires a larger scale is needed to enhance the their ability to manage the region sus- simultaneous work on prevention, safety of people and bears well into the tainably. Recovering from this situation mitigation, response, research, and future. l will require an unprecedented level of monitoring, all backed by strong policy international, interregional and cross- support and the participation of local WWF’s report, A Future for All: The cultural cooperation. communities. Need for Human-Wildlife Coexistence, We believe cooperation between the will be available at panda.org later this Arctic Council and youth is one of the SCALING UP STRATEGIES AND year. key elements needed to bridge gaps in SOLUTIONS collaboration. We are encouraged to see WWF’s upcoming report is a call to that the Council has recognized this by action to place human-wildlife conflict implementing the Conservation of Arc-

24 The Circle 2.2021 Youth and the Arctic Council Building intergenerational dialogue to solve Arctic challenges

tic Flora and Fauna Youth Engagement logue with governments are two of the the University of the Arctic. This kind of Strategy and setting up partnerships key outcomes that youth hope will result collaboration has the potential to create that involve the Arctic Youth Network from their engagement with the Arctic valuable connections between officials in both the Sustainable Development Council during the Russian chairship. and young professionals, which could Working Group’s Arctic Youth Wellness make it easier for other youth to engage Network and the Gender Equality in the NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES in high-level discussions on important Arctic Youth Advisory Board. The diversity of the organizing partners topics. It’s exciting to see Russia’s chairship is a also good indicator of the network- include a wide variety of partners in its ing prospects available to participating BUILDING TRUST AND programming, including the Federal youth. As an example, the Federal UNDERSTANDING Agency of Youth Affairs, the Ministry of Agency for Youth Affairs and the Min- Finally, we can look at opportunities for Foreign Affairs of Russia, the Ministry istry of Foreign Affairs of Russia are youth to engage in dialogues with their of the Russian Far East and Arctic, coordinating Model Arctic Council Rus- governments outside the scope of formal the new project office of International sia 2022. It will be held in Arkhangelsk, events, such by raising awareness about Youth Cooperation in Yamalo-Nenets with organizing committee members climate change Autonomous Okrug, regional authori- from the Moscow State Institute of and sustainabil- ARSENII ties, the Northern Forum and more. International Relations University and ity issues, cli- ­KIRGIZOV- Increased networking opportunities Arctic Club, the Northern (Arctic) Fed- mate strikes and BARSKII is and the chance to build a trusting dia- eral University (known as NArFU) and environmental a graduate demonstrations. student and This can be a deputy chair of the Arctic sensitive topic, Student Research Club at UPCOMING ARCTIC COUNCIL EVENTS FOR YOUTH and requires the Moscow State Institute building trust of International Relations There are numerous and diverse events and projects on the horizon to that between parties, (MGIMO) in Russia. have the potential to boost youth participation and engagement in Arctic but the benefits issues. These include: of open and PÉTUR „ The Arctic Youth Leaders Forum constructive ­HALLDÓRSSON „ The Eurasia Global Forum dialogue make is a member of „ The second Northern Youth Forum it an invaluable the Arctic Youth „ The Arctic Council–Northern Forum Interaction Model asset to both Network and a „ Model Arctic Council Russia 2022 governments biologist with „ The Startup Forum (by the Northern Youth Forum) and youth. It a postgraduate diploma in „ The Arctic Youth Entrepreneurship Webinar Series can promote public administration from „ The Arctic Biennale of Young Art increased under- the University of Iceland. „ The International Festival of Indigenous Youth of the Arctic standing and „ The Indigenous Youth Leaders Forum better problem- „ The International Scientific Conference for Students solving. Youth engagement is a work in There will also be events related to topics like volunteering, youth progress and a learning process for entrepreneurship, creative industries, best practices in international and everyone involved. But we believe that inter-ethnic communications and sustainable development, science and by continuing along this constructive ­education, Indigenous languages and culture, and traditional outdoor trajectory together, we will have greater activities and sports. success in solving Arctic challenges. l

The Circle 2.2021 25 Restoring harmony Drumming up a cultural connection for Greenlandic Inuit

FOR CENTURIES, the Kalaallit—the Inuit of Greenland—have lived in harmony with polar bears, narwhals, seals, birds and the other Arctic species in the region. But it is a connection that Leif Saandvig Immanuelsen fears is quickly disappear- ing. Saandvig Immanuelsen is a traditional drummer, storytell- er and actor. He grew up in Kangersuatsiaq, in the northwest part of Greenland, but has called Nuuk home for much of his life. He has seen the connection the Inuit feel with their past diminish over time. “Even the people living in Greenland, so many don’t know about how our ancestors lived or how they can survive the extreme nature here,” he explains. That’s why 10 years ago, he started making drums and sharing this traditional art form with others. “I have been travelling a lot between the towns in Greenland to make drums for children and adults. I tell the people how our ancestors used the drum in Greenland and how I’m using it myself today, so they can see the two different worlds. So I can inspire the people and make them think about where they are from.” Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Saandvig Immanuelsen has contin- ued to travel the country to present his drumming stories. He tells the same story everywhere he goes—and he shared it with The Circle. Leif Saandvig Immanuelsen

26 The Circle 2.2021 Photo: Radovan Václav, CC, Flickr Photo: Radovan Václav, The Gift of Happiness he eagle flew high up over Inuit Nunaat lands, and he But the eagle father said to the son, “It’s not worth it to could see that the people weren’t happy. They didn’t help them because they are lost.” Teven smile, they didn’t even laugh. “Please father, help them so they can make it.” The eagle could see from up high that one of the hunters The father said, “Okay, I can help him. I can teach him.” was in a different place than others. The Inuk was alone, And he took out his drum, and the Inuk saw the drum for picking berries. The eagle decided to go meet him. the first time in his life. The eagle said to him, “I have seen many days from the “What is it?” the Inuk asked. sky, when I’m flying, that you people are not happy. You “Okay, sit down over there so you can watch,” said the are not even smiling. You are not even laughing. You don’t eagle father. He then began drumming songs. know about happiness. That’s why I will invite you to my The eagle son said to the Inuk, “Hey, you have to listen parents. They live in the fjord.” carefully. You have to remember all these things my father The Inuk said to the eagle, “What for? I don’t want to is playing for you.” listen to you.” The Inuk listened and concentrated on the drum songs, The eagle said, “Come on, please, my parents can teach and when the father played a funny one, the Inuk smiled you the good things. I know that you need something.” for the first time in his life. The eagle father made his face “Okay, we can do it if you have some good mamaqtuq,” funny, and the Inuk smiled and felt that he could be happy. said the hunter. So, they both went to see the eagle’s par- The eagle father taught him many drum songs. ents. When he was finished, the eagle father said to him, When they arrived, the Inuk saw that they had many “When you go home, you have to teach your family those mamaqtuq. So they ate dry meats and all the good things. good things, all those drum songs. And when they learn And they drank very clear water. When they finished eat- those drum songs, you have to talk to your neighbours, ing, the eagle said to the father, “Hey, father, those Inuit, too, and teach them. And when you are finished with the they are unhappy. They don’t know how to live better. Can village, you have to go to other places to teach them.” you help them?” So, that is how our ancestors learned about happiness. l

The Circle 2.2021 27 THE PICTURE

A glimpse of the past Photo: Hayne, Wikimedia Commons Just a few decades ago, there were hundreds of thousands of barren-ground caribou in the Canadian Arctic, as shown in this archival photo from 1978. Today, fewer than half remain—and some herds have declined by more than 95 per cent.

Why we are here To stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

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