Transcript Slide 1
Locate these resource extraction areas on a map of the Arctic. © Steve Burgess © Steve Burgess ©Ellen Inga Turi Ealát.org Alaskan fishing Nome Reindeer herding Yamal Peninsula © Steve Burgess Oil drilling platform Prudhoe Bay Alaska Abandoned gold mine Nome Indigenous whaling Uelen Chukotka © R.Molony Coal mining Longyearbyen Svalbard ALASKA Oil drilling rig Prudhoe Bay Alaska Brook Mountains © John Zobel This is the most northerly and westerly mainland state in the U.S.A. Its population of 663,661 (2005) stretches over an area of 1,477,300km² which gives it the lowest population density in the country. The northerly location of the state means that large parts are located in either tundra or arctic climate zones The state’s main economic activities are oil production, fishing, tourism, forestry and government services. The area is also the homeland of indigenous peoples who make up 16% of the states population , each having their own distinct culture and lifestyle. Some of these indigenous people share language and other cultural links with the people of Chukotka on the Russian side of the Bering Strait. CHUKOTKA © Steve Burgess Frozen sea Lavrentiya Chukotka © Steve Burgess New housing Uelen © Anna Maria Magga Ealat.org Yaranga of a semi nomadic reindeer herder Chukotka is the most easterly part of Russia separated from Alaska by the Bering Straits. Over half the region lies above the Arctic circle. Chukotka covers an area of 737,700km² with a population of 53,824 (2002). The regions 1989 population of 163,934 has been subjected to a large outward migration of ethnic Russians following the dissolution of the Soviet Union which subsidised people in the Arctic regions of Russia. This has led to the closing down or decline of many of the urban settlements. The withdrawal of subsidies badly affected the native Chukchi reindeer herders which led to the near total collapse of the industry between 1991 and 2001. However the injection of an estimated billion dollars by Roman Abramovich up to 2008, has allowed some recovery of services and reindeer herding in the region. The withdrawal of transport services to the villages has led to the greater use of dog teams in rural areas. Villages like Uelen still undertake indigenous whaling with the entire region allocated a quota of 280 bowhead whales between 2008 and 2012 by the International Whaling Commission. YAMAL PENINSULA ©Ellen Inga Turi Ealát.org Nenets reindeer herding Svein D.Mathiesen Ealát.org Reindeer herders and resource extraction infrastructure in the Yamal peninsula The Yamal peninsula (750,300km²) is located in North West Siberia. The Nenets who make up 5% of the regions 507,006 people (2002), practise their form of nomadic reindeer herding which involves following their herds throughout the area as they seek fresh pasture and relief from the effects of biting insects. The climate in the area varies from 40⁰c to + 27⁰c with the Nenets using the skins of the reindeer to protect themselves from the extreme cold. The area is also the location of the Bovanenkovo oil and gas field which provides Russia with a large proportion of its energy needs. However the infrastructure associated with this field has sometimes interfered with traditional reindeer migration routes. RESOURCE EXTRACTION ISSUES IN THE ARCTIC A R Why is access to the Arctic challenging and expensive? Are these resources available in sufficiently viable quantities? C How costly will it be to restore the area after resource extraction? T What modes of transport would be suitable for operation in this area? I C How might it benefit or harm the lifestyle of the indigenous people? Will climate change hinder or help future resource extraction?