Over the Circle

‘But There Must Be Some Fire’: Combustible Ice and Arctic Effects

November 29, 2017 Over the Circle

Much of current discussion surrounding energy sources in the Arctic has almost exclusively focussed on the possibility of extracting traditional fossil fuels from the lands and seas of the region. One of the catalysts for this debate is the now-notorious 2008 report [pdf] by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), explaining that the Arctic Ocean… Continue reading ‘But There Must Be Some Fire’: Combustible Ice and Arctic Effects

After the Vote in Nunavut: Thinking Big

November 24, 2017November 25, 2017 Over the Circle

The citizens of Nunavut (ᓄᓇᕗᑦ) went to the polls on 30 October to elect a new government and a leader to succeed outgoing Premier Peter Taptuna. None of the candidates ran on behalf of political parties, instead campaigning as de facto independents. In one district, Kugluktuk in Nunavut’s far west, there was a win by… Continue reading After the Vote in Nunavut: Thinking Big

Elsewhere…

November 23, 2017 Over the Circle

'Who Really Built Canada’s First Highway to the Arctic Ocean?' (Cryopolitics) 'Emerging Leaders Get a Head Start in the Arctic' (High North News) 'The Arctic Security Constellation' (The Arctic Institute) 'Russia Lacks Space for Arctic Nuclear Fleet – Will it Get Worse?' (Eye on the Arctic / Independent Barents Observer) 'Rosatom to Take Over Arctic… Continue reading Elsewhere…

‘Normality is a Paved Road’: Canada’s New Arctic Highway and What’s Next

November 17, 2017November 21, 2017 Over the Circle

This week saw the long-awaited opening of the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway (ITH) in the Northwest Territories, a permanent road linking the two Arctic towns and providing many new potential economic opportunities for the region. As Tuktoyaktuk lies on the coast of the Beaufort Sea region of the Arctic Ocean, the completion of the road marks the… Continue reading ‘Normality is a Paved Road’: Canada’s New Arctic Highway and What’s Next

Iceland’s Election: Three’s a Crowd?

November 16, 2017November 21, 2017 Over the Circle

About three weeks after Iceland’s latest election, the process of building a new government coalition continues, with the focus shifting to discussions between the centre-right Independence (IP) and Progressive Parties and the Left-Green Coalition (VG). Thus far, the talks have reportedly been progressing well, and if said negotiations are successful, the end result would be… Continue reading Iceland’s Election: Three’s a Crowd?