Circumpolar Newsings
Yakut horses living in the Siberian cold 
(eYakutia blog, 9 March 2012) -- The Yakut horse is a breed originated on the territory of the Republic of Sakha-Yakutia in North-East Siberia, Russia. See how awesome they are in the extreme cold winter in Yakutia, Russia’s biggest Siberian region. It is just a few episodes of Yegor Makarov’s new documentary. A teas[er] video was done with the help of talanted cameraman, Yuri Berezhnev. The film is not completed yet. They are working on it. Meanwhile, you might wish to check what I have already on my blog under the tag Yakut Horse. Feel free to share this video. Let’s spread a word about the Yakut horse.
Posted 18 March 2012; 2:31:17 AM. Permalink
Tagged: Circumpolar News, Cultural Matters, Far East Russia, Flora and Fauna, March12
Legislature working to develop Arctic policy commission
(Alexandra Gutierrez/KUCB - Unalaska, APR, 16 March 2012) -- The state legislature is making progress toward establishing an Arctic policy commission. At a hearing of the House Finance Committee on Wednesday, Rep. Reggie Joule explained that even though Alaska is the country’s only Arctic state, it’s often left out of conversations about federal policy concerning the region. He thinks that having a body responsible for developing an Arctic strategy would give the state more credibility with regulators in Washington. “When we went and addressed the State Department, the Department of the Interior, it is amazing what people do not know about our state that should be basic,” said Joule. “And they get to make budget decisions. And I think it’s imperative that the legislature stay involved in this process.” The idea for the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission came out of the Northern Waters Task Force, a state body that had a similar mission but was only meant to exist for two years. If established, the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission would pick up where the task force left off. It would also be expanded to include representatives from industry, academia, conservation groups, and the state’s tribes.
Posted 18 March 2012; 1:16:54 AM. Permalink
Tagged: Alaska, Circumpolar News, Economic issues, Environment, March12, Social Issues, United States
Speed limits on Arctic shipping urged to protect marine mammals
(Randy Boswell/Postmedia News ᔥ canada.com, 16 March 2012) -- Environmentalists and Arctic aboriginal groups are urging speed limits on ships and other rules to protect marine mammals as the Northwest Passage and other polar transportation routes become more heavily travelled in an era of retreating sea ice. The U.S.-based Wildlife Conservation Society and native organizations, including the Inuit Circumpolar Council, issued a call on Friday for northern countries to acknowledge the rising risks to northern marine creatures resulting from the "rapid increase in shipping in the formerly ice-choked waterways of the Arctic." Of particular concern, the groups stated after a three-day workshop on the issue, is the Bering Strait between Russia and Alaska, an ecologically rich but relatively narrow choke point for ships travelling through both the Northern Sea Route north of Russia and the Northwest Passage through Canada's Arctic islands. Among the species at risk from increased shipping are bowhead and beluga whale, walrus, several kinds of seals and the polar bear, the groups said.
Posted 18 March 2012; 1:05:58 AM. Permalink
Tagged: Canada, Circumpolar News, Indigenous Issues, International, March12
Who pays for rescue services in the Arctic?
(Nordic Council News, 15 March 2012) -- Whenever an accident occurs in Arctic waters, it is not immediately clear which country is responsible for the rescue operation. The Nordic Council theme meeting next week will urge the finance ministers to come up with a funding model. Heavier cruise-ship traffic around Greenland is just one reason why better emergency services are needed in the North Atlantic. The Council has called for joint Nordic funding in the past, but so far to no avail. Now, it intends to recommend that the finance ministers set up a working group to look at potential solutions. The theme Session in Reykjavik will also discuss the safety aspects of extracting oil and natural gas in the Arctic Region. The Council wants to take the next step, and progress from the current agreement about cleaning up after environmental incidents to a new agreement that regulates the mining industry and minimises the risk of accidents.
Posted 18 March 2012; 12:14:17 AM. Permalink
Tagged: Circumpolar News, Climate change response, Infrastructure, transportation, International, March12
email to: agra...@yukoncollege.yk.ca
Add to del.icio.us
