A Future of Complexity: the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment

UA Geography Professor Lawson Brigham (pictured at right) covered everything from retreating sea ice to tourism in a June 24 lecture at UAF. Presenting the results of the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment, Brigham explained the major focus of the study was arctic marine safety and environmental protection. Among the other considerations were marine geography, climate change, whaling, and governance.

The AMSA, a major project of the Arctic Council under the Protection of Marine Environment working group, was commissioned in 2004 and concluded this spring.

“It’s not a question of whether maritime industry is coming to the Arctic,” he said. “The global maritime industry has already come.” Adding that this subject is “all about geography,” Brigham went on to cover mining, oil and gas exploration, fishing, and even tourism as they relate to the Arctic. ”There were 200 cruise ships on the west coast of Greenland in one year,” he said.

Natural resource development is the primary driver of ship traffic in the Arctic, Brigham said, yet the global tourism industry via summer cruise ships also deserves attention. Natural resources include zinc, copper, nickel, tin, and fresh water. Climate change as revealed in sea ice retreat is another factor worthy of consideration. According to the AMSA report release of oil into the arctic marine environment is the most significant threat from arctic shipping.

The 200-page, multifaceted, interdisciplinary report was approved by the eight arctic states. The committee reached out to many of the stakeholders involved that are based outside of the arctic region.

The report includes scenarios as far into the future as 2050. “The word that applies is complexity,” Brigham said. The seventeen recommendations highlight marine safety, protecting people and the environment, and infrastructure. The entire report is available at the Alaska Center of Climate Assessment and Policy website.

Brigham, former associate director of the Alaska Office of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, is a widely recognized expert in arctic maritime shipping and related policy. He recently joined the University of Alaska Geography Program as a visiting distinguished professor. Brigham will work closely with UA Geography Program Director Mike Sfraga on arctic policy initiatives, including the further development of the UArctic Center for Circumpolar Arctic Policy. Dr. Brigham will conduct research on the impact of a changing arctic ice pack on arctic marine shipping, transportation, resources development, and policy. He will work with researchers in the Scenarios Network for Alaska Planning, Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy, and the International Arctic Research Center.

The ACCAP-hosted teleconference is part of an ongoing series. The next one, scheduled for Aug. 11 at 10 a.m., will be presented by SNAP coordinator Nancy Fresco and UA Geography Education and Outreach Coordinator Katie Kennedy. To join the teleconference, contact Brook Gamble in advance.

Addendum June 29, 2009
Further reading:
•"The Environmental Risks of Arctic Shipping," June 29, 2009, Green Inc. (a New York Times blog), by Stefan Milkowski
•"Former icebreaker captain calls for better Arctic regulations," June 29, 2009, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, by Christopher Eshleman