WWF - Arctic news and updates

Arctic Council on right track – but slow track

2013-05-15

The Arctic Council Ministers took many of the right steps today in laying out the council's work for the next two years, but some were baby steps.

"We are disappointed that the Council is not moving faster to address such urgent issues as preventing oil spills, and reducing the impacts of regional and global climate change." says Alexander Shestakov of WWF. "They have not completely ignored these issues, but have put them on the back burner for two years. The pace of change in the Arctic does not allow for a two year time-out."

Because the Council operates on a consensus basis, any one state can block a proposal. For instance, Russia was singled out by the Arctic Athabaskan Council, one of the Indigenous peoples' organizations at the Arctic Council, for blocking negotiations a on black carbon agreement. Black carbon, commonly called soot, is produced by burning diesel and other fuels and is blamed for increasing Arctic melting.

The council is taking positive and decisive steps in other areas of its work. Ministers approved recommendations aimed at dealing with climate-driven threats to Arctic biodiversity, and gave instructions for those recommendations to be followed up. They also decided to boost cooperation on a UN agreement to strengthen shipping rules in the Arctic. An agreement on responding to oil spills was also officially signed. As an official observer WWF worked with council members on the agreement, and will be watching to ensure that the agreement is effectively implemented. WWF welcomes the increased focus on business interests in the Arctic, on the assumption that this will not interfere with the traditional focus on environmental protection and sustainability, or undermine the interests of the Arctic's Indigenous peoples.

"We will continue to work with the Council on its conservation and sustainability initiatives, and will watch to ensure that it follows up on commitments" says Shestakov. "They don't always go as far as we'd like, or as fast as we think is necessary, but we believe that concerted action by the Arctic states, Indigenous peoples, and observers is the only way to address the challenges facing Arctic wildlife and peoples, and the Council provides a framework for that."

WWF welcomes the new observers, and looks forward to their positive contribution to the work of the Council, and to helping advance Arctic issues in other international fora.

For more information, contact:
Alexander Shestakov, Director, WWF Global Arctic Programme
Mobile: (+1) 613 293-3149 Email: ashestakov@wwfcanada.org

Tom Arnbom, Arctic specialist, WWF Sweden
Mobile: +46 70 554 4066 Email: Tom.arnbom@wwf.se

Visit our website at www.panda.org/arctic

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

Arctic Biodiversity Assessment Released

2013-05-15

The Arctic Council's assessment of the more than 21,000 Arctic species is now out, and its recommendations have the backing of the Arctic states. More than a tenth of the world's fish catches by weight come from Arctic and sub-Arctic seas. The Arctic is the breeding ground for millions of migratory birds that fly to every continent, connecting the region with the rest of the world and contributing to global biodiversity.

Learn more and download the report here.

There are several key findings of the assessment:

The significance of climate change as the most serious underlying driver of overall change in biodiversity
The necessity of taking an ecosystem-based approach to management

Significant recommendations include:

Advance the protection of large areas of ecologically important marine, terrestrial and freshwater habitats, taking into account ecological resilience in a changing climate.
Advance and advocate ecosystem-based management efforts in the Arctic as a framework for cooperation, planning and development. This includes an approach to development that proceeds cautiously, with sound short and long-term environmental risk assessment and management, using the best available scientific and traditional ecological knowledge, following the best environmental practices, considering cumulative effects and adhering to international standards.

WWF contributed to the assessment, and looks forward to working on the follow-up.

New WWF web tool maps Arctic nature and activities

2013-05-13

As Arctic Council Ministers prepare to meet to outline priorities for the Council's next two years, WWF has released a mapping tool to help inform those priorities.

See the map at arkgis.org

The web-based map synthesises the latest Arctic research and helps answer questions such as where Arctic oil activity clashes with valuable biodiversity, and how the melting of the polar ice cap has influenced shipping routes.

By releasing a new web tool mapping both nature and activities, WWF hopes to be able to make relevant information universally available – in a very visible manner. "Arctic nature and peoples desperately need environmentally sustainable management practices. A well informed and active public can help push for such practices, and these maps can help in supplying that information. Everywhere in the world, good maps are preconditions for sound management and informed public debate about natural values and human activities," says Nina Jensen, CEO of WWF Norway.

The ArkGIS is a web based mapping system, allowing anyone to produce their own maps showing natural resources and updated overviews of activities like shipping or oil drilling. It allows any user to download pre-made maps and videos, as well as developing customized maps on their own, using an interactive map service. "One of the strengths of this tool is that both natural values and developments that may interfere with those values can be made visible on the same maps. Another strength is that we have comprehensive information covering the entire Arctic region – available for anyone with a computer and an Internet connection," says Lars Erik Mangset, WWF project lead for ArkGIS.

ArkGIS is a project initiated and managed by WWF, but it brings together data from a host of information providers, including several Arctic Council working groups, the Institute of Marine Research, and the Norwegian Coastal Administration. Map layers to date include 368 identified areas of heightened ecological significance, and Arctic ship traffic, ice coverage, and bathymetry. ArkGIS can be accessed at www.arkgis.org.

For more information, contact:
Lars Erik Mangset, WWF Norway
+ 47 – 93 20 94 94 email: lemangset@wwf.no

Martin Sommerkorn, WWF Global Arctic Program
+47 – 92 60 69 95 email: msommerkorn@wwf.no

Visit our website at panda.org/arctic

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

The Kiruna Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council – WWF input

2013-05-03

WWF has played a constructive role as Observer at the Arctic Council since it was formed in 1996. In the past two years of the Swedish chairmanship, we have added capacity, advice and input to a variety of Arctic Council initiatives, including the Arctic resilience report, the report on life linked to ice, the expert group on ecosystem based management, and the agreement on oil spill preparedness and response. We commend the Council and the Swedish Chair on their achievements in the past two years, but note much practical action remains on the agenda for the Council to meet its twin goals of sustainable development and environmental protection, as outlined in its founding document, the Ottawa declaration.

Acting on Climate Change

Climate change remains the prime driving force in both the development and degradation of the Arctic. Climate change in the Arctic also drives global impacts, such as water level rise, affecting hundreds of millions of people around the world.

Arctic states are not the only ones responsible for the extent of Arctic climate change, but they are well-positioned to lead a response. Firstly, they can take action on "black carbon". This is mostly soot emitted by industrial sources, and by agricultural burning. Evidence gathered so far by the Council and other sources suggests the black carbon emitted the furthest north has the greatest effect on warming and melting in the Arctic.

At the same time as reducing climate change, Arctic states can act to reduce climate stress on the region. A development agenda must be balanced with the need to protect areas that will most help to make the Arctic resilient to coming climate-driven changes.

WWF recommendations

The Arctic Council extends the mandate of the Task Force on Short Lived Climate Forcers, to develop an international instrument to reduce emissions of short lived climate forcers, especially black carbon emitted at high latitudes.
The Arctic states coordinate a common approach to the United Nations climate negotiations with the goal of a climate agreement by 2015 that will keep the global average temperature from rising by more than two degrees. As some of the world's biggest producers of greenhouse gas pollution, the Arctic states have an obligation to lead in these negotiations.
Arctic states continue to work toward operationalizing the principles of ecosystem based management, rather than just managing single activities, or places.
The Arctic Council leads the coordination of a common approach to ecosystem based management. This form of management is necessary for ecosystems to continue to provide valuable services to local communities, the Arctic region, and to global systems.
Arctic states develop recommendations for the next (2015) Ministerial meeting to advance the creation of a pan-Arctic network of specially managed areas underpinning biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience.

Oil and Gas

The risks and potential impacts associated with Arctic offshore oil and gas development are currently largely unknown and what is known shows risks are unacceptably high and unmanageable. WWF believes that without proper regulation of operations, available proven techniques for prevention and response to oil spills and adequate knowledge about Arctic systems there should be no new development of hydrocarbons in the Arctic offshore. This unreadiness to drill was graphically illustrated by Shell's series of mishaps as it attempted to drill off Alaska last year.

The Arctic Council Member Governments have gone some way toward safer development by their agreement on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response for Arctic Waters. WWF is also participating in the efforts being made by the Council to address the prevention of oil spills through the report "Recommended Practices for Arctic Oil Spill Prevention" and its recommendations.

WWF recommendation

The Arctic Council further advances its work on oil spill prevention by negotiating an international instrument on marine oil spill prevention.

Environmentally Sound Arctic Shipping Operations

As climate change eats away at Arctic sea ice, increasing numbers of ships use the Arctic Ocean to transport goods and to bring newly accessible Arctic resources to southern markets. More boats travelling Arctic waters pressure the biodiversity and ecosystems of the region, and raise prospects of catastrophic impacts from spills.

There are international agreements, both existing and in negotiation that can help deal with these pressures. But at present, the Arctic states are not acting in a concerted and coordinated fashion to ensure these agreements provide the protection needed, such as a ban on polluting heavy fuel oil in Arctic waters.

WWF recommendation

The Arctic Council creates a coordinated voice by Arctic states in international agreements to update Arctic-specific shipping measures relevant to safety and environmental protection.

'Voyage Through Northwest Passage' continues its journey in new iPad app

2013-05-01

In the summer of 2009, Canadian journalist, adventurer and ﬁlmmaker Cameron Dueck sailed the infamous Northwest Passage on his yacht, the Silent Sound. Following the voyage, Great Plains Publications published his story, which was later developed into an award-winning documentary ﬁlm. Now, in partnership with WWF, the expedition from Victoria, British Columbia to Halifax, Nova Scotia, is being retold as an iOS App for iPad and iPad mini.

The App melds both print and digital content, producing an interactive experience that enhances the story narrative and allows the viewer to learn more about northern communities and climate change in a more
meaningful way. The viewer can access detailed proﬁles on people, places and issues and even calculate their own carbon footprint with the tap of a screen.

"The book is about how life in the North is changing, both in terms of the environment and how communities live up there," says Cameron Dueck, author of The New Northwest Passage. "The new technology available
today allows me to retell that story with a richness never possible before. The interactivity really makes you feel as if you're part of the adventure."

WWF was a partner in the sailing expedition and is also a key project partner for the App, providing climate change charts and graphs for App to enhance the story. 10 per cent of all the sales will go towards the WWF's Global Arctic Program, which combats threats to the Arctic region and aims to preserve biodiversity and sustainability in the North.

The New Northwest Passage App is now available online in the iTunes App store or at www.northwestpassageapp.com.

Shell to export Arctic oil drilling failures

2013-04-08

According to multiple media reports, today Shell and Russian company Gazprom Neft will sign an agreement on strategic partnership on the development of hydrocarbons in the Russian Arctic offshore. The expected agreement coincides with the visit of president Putin to the Netherlands on the 8th of April.

"This move is of great concern," says Mikhail Babenko of WWF. "Shell has repeatedly demonstrated in its activities last year in the Alaskan offshore that it does not have the capacity required to safely drill for oil in the Arctic. It would simply be exporting failure from the United States to Russia. Other oil companies, such as the French company Total, and the Russian company Lukoil have recently agreed with the view of WWF and other experts that there is no proven safe technology to drill for oil in the offshore Arctic."

In 2012 Shell completely failed at all stages of its drilling programme, and the US Coast Guard is investigating the company for potential violation of international marine environmental rules. This February Shell announced that drilling in Alaska will be postponed. In moving its operations to Russia, it would appear that Shell is moving to a territory with less rigorous environmental regulation and less transparency in project implementation.

The risks and potential impacts associated with Arctic offshore oil and gas development are currently unacceptably high and unmanageable. WWF believes that without proper regulation of operations, available proven techniques for prevention and response to oil spills and adequate knowledge about Arctic systems there should be no new development of hydrocarbons in the Arctic offshore.

More information
Mikhail Babenko
Oil and Gas Officer, Global Arctic Programme
mbabenko@wwf.ru

About WWF's Global Arctic Programme
WWF is working with its many partners – governments, business and communities – across the Arctic to combat these threats and preserve the region's rich biodiversity. The WWF Global Arctic Programme has coordinated WWF's work in the Arctic since 1992. We work through offices in six Arctic countries, with experts in circumpolar issues like governance, climate change, fisheries, oil and gas and polar bears.
http://panda.org/arctic

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
www.panda.org

A chill on environmental protection as Arctic shipping heats up

2013-03-27

After a year's delay, the United Nations body tasked with developing polar shipping regulations has recommended provisions to address the environmental impacts of Arctic shipping – but they don't go far enough, says conservation organization WWF.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) met last week to shape the Polar Code, a legally binding set of rules for shipping in polar regions. Although the final Polar Code won't be adopted this year, recommendations made now will strongly influence the environmental provisions of the final Code.

"The provisions proposed on environmental protection issues are simply too weak", says Lars Erik Mangset, Advisor for WWF-Norway. "Major risks, like acute pollution from heavy fuel oil, are not even addressed. And although the Polar Code is legally binding, many of the most pressing issues have been placed in the voluntary section of the code or deferred to later discussions, potentially outside the Code."

Rapid warming in the Arctic has led to the opening up of commercial sea routes in the region. While destination ship traffic in and out of the Arctic is expected the greatest traffic increase the next decades, transport over the Northern Sea Route (above Russia and Scandinavia) has seen substantial growth over the past few years and is in particular being targeted as a route for tanker and bulk traffic. Increased traffic in these waters, coupled with the fact that the Arctic is up to 95% unsurveyed and chart coverage is generally inadequate for coastal navigation, means that the risks of operating should be matched with suitable precautionary measures in order to protect the environment. For example, banning the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil in sensitive areas would reduce the environmental impacts of a spill significantly.

"Arctic shipping will expand massively in the next few decades. The recommendations are disappointing, but they are not yet set in stone. Arctic countries have an opportunity now to advocate world-class environmental protection measures, which this region needs and deserves", says Dr. Simon Walmsley, Marine Manager for WWF-International.

Solid international and domestic legislation, respectively in the Antarctic and in Canada, sets a good precedent. Canada already in place close to zero-tolerance limit on oil and oily discharge and other waste streams from ships, and has advocated for similar provisions in the Polar Code. This is a positive precedence for other Arctic states to follow.

WWF is calling on IMO member states to commit to meaningful environmental protection in the Polar Code, through a ban on heavy fuel oil in the Arctic, as well as heightened restrictions on operational discharges, carbon emissions and the spread of alien species in ballast water.

More information
Lars Erik Mangset
Advisor Shipping and Climate, WWF-Norway
Email: lemangset@wwf.no
Mobile: +47 93 20 94 94

Dr. Simon Walmsley,
Marine Manager WWF-International
Email: SWalmsley@wwf.org.uk
Mobile:+44 (0)7920023318

About WWF's Global Arctic Programme
WWF is working with its many partners – governments, business and communities – across the Arctic to combat these threats and preserve the region's rich biodiversity. The WWF Global Arctic Programme has coordinated WWF's work in the Arctic since 1992. We work through offices in six Arctic countries, with experts in circumpolar issues like governance, climate change, fisheries, oil and gas and polar bears.
http://panda.org/arctic

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
www.panda.org

In a time of rapid change, Arctic Council must strengthen environmental protection for Arctic

2013-03-20

When senior officials of the Arctic Council meet in Sweden today to plan for Canada's upcoming chairmanship, they should chart a progressive course of work that moves this high-level intergovernmental forum from a decision-shaping body to a decision-making one, says conservation organization WWF.

Canada is proposing a pro-development agenda for its chairmanship. WWF emphasizes the need to balance this with environmental protection that recognizes the socioeconomic needs of Arctic Indigenous communities and inhabitants.

"The Arctic Council is now at a critical time in its evolution when its members must show accountability for implementing the recommendations flowing from the wealth of its own scientific assessments" says Alexander Shestakov, Director of WWF's Global Arctic Programme. "Today, the Arctic officials need to take specific actions and commit to projects that translate into concrete steps for managing the health of Arctic ecosystems and their services."

At this high-level meeting, the Arctic Council will approve many scientific assessments and a related extensive set of recommendations for policy-makers. The Senior Arctic Officials could take this work further, and propose to extend the mandate of the Arctic Council to include policy-making and implementation of recommendations as an essential part of the upcoming Kiruna Ministerial Declaration in May.

WWF is also urging the Arctic Council to advance spatial management of areas of biological, ecological, and cultural significance and the creation of a pan-Arctic network of areas managed for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience.

Increasing bear/human conflict needs government intervention, say experts

2013-03-01

Hungry, climate-stressed polar bears are increasingly coming into conflict with people in some regions -- and nations will need to work together to fund and implement ways to keep both bears and people safe.

That's the conclusion of more than 30 leading polar bear experts from throughout the Arctic, who met this week at a WWF-organized polar bear/human conflict workshop in Tromsø, Norway.

"Polar bears have the capacity to surprise, and we still know relatively little about dealing with polar bear conflict", said workshop participant Doug Clark of the University of Saskatchewan.

Participants agreed the polar bear range states -- Canada, Norway, Greenland, Russia and the United States -- should cooperate to fund, monitor and share conflict reduction measures.

"We have an opportunity to develop plans and programs on the ground and across the Arctic ahead of anticipated increases in conflict situations," says Geoff York, WWF lead on polar bears. "As sea ice habitat continues to decline, more bears will spend longer periods of time onshore and human activities are also projected to increase in the area, setting the stage for trouble in the years ahead."

Participants shared conflict prevention ideas from around the pole, including:

Polar bear patrols engaging local people to help keep bears away from communities
Keeping attractants - trash, food - away from settled areas
Education on safety measures for living and working around polar bears
Deterrent effectiveness and application, like bear spray, non-lethal projectiles and new technologies
Physical barriers, like electric and fixed fences, and secure food storage
Behavioral approaches to better understand both bear and human dimensions, or to help make bears averse to humans
Deterring, relocating, or destroying problem bears.

The Range States polar bear conflict working group, also in attendance, plan to unveil a new data tracking system and draft conflict plan at the the next Polar Bear Range States meeting in Moscow this fall.

WWF recognizes 2013 as the Year of the Polar Bear, and is encouraging the range states to make firm commitments to polar bear conservation at the Moscow meeting.

The Tromsø meeting was partly funded by the joint WWF-Coca-Cola "Arctic Home" campaign.

For more information, contact:
Geoff York, WWF polar bear lead
Email
Mobile (+1) 613 299 2784

Clive Tesar, Head of communications, WWF Global Arctic Programme
Email
Mobile (+1) 613 883 3110

Visit our website at www.panda.org/arctic

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

Shell cancels Arctic drilling plans for 2013

2013-02-27

Royal Dutch Shell today announced today that it will forgo its plans to drill for oil and gas in Alaska's Beaufort and Chukchi seas in 2013 so it can be more prepared to drill in the future.

The decision by Shell comes on the heels of the company's 2012 drilling season in Alaska, which was fraught with challenges, including the near-grounding of one of its drill rigs, a fire later on the same rig, the failure of its oil spill containment dome, and, ultimately, the grounding of a drilling rig on a pristine, wildlife-rich island in Alaska in late December.

"Shell has finally recognized what we have known all along – that the Arctic is a unique and challenging environment and not to be trifled with," said Margaret Williams, managing director of the WWF-US Arctic Program.

WWF welcomes Shell's decision, given the environmental and cultural values of the Beaufort and Chukchi seas – home to such wildlife as walrus, polar bears and whales. But the decision only provides temporary relief to a situation that could have implications for many generations to come.

'Other Arctic nations are watching the U.S., which must set a high bar for development in the Arctic," Williams said. "That means that – before ever allowing drilling – we must scrutinize the inadequacy of existing response technologies, the lack of infrastructure in the region, and the inability to quickly and adequately respond to emergencies because of extreme environmental conditions in the Arctic. Until that happens, drilling should never be allowed in the Arctic – especially the year after a series of still unexplained mishaps and errors."

Safer communities, safer bears – workshop on reducing conflict between polar bears and humans

2013-02-12

Leading polar bear experts from throughout the Arctic will convene at a WWF-organized workshop in Tromsø to exchange knowledge and experiences in order to reduce the level of conflict between bears and humans. The three-day workshop will take place on 26th-28th February in the High North Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research.

Many remember the tragedy in 2011 when a 17-year-old British boy was killed and four others were seriously injured when a bear attacked a group on Svalbard. The bear also died as a result of th4e encounter. Unfortunately, conditions are increasingly facilitating the risk of such events, says WWF Norway's advisor for Arctic and northern regions, Nils Harley Boisen.

As a result of continuing loss of their preferred sea-ice habitat, it is expected that polar bears will spend more time on land. Here they are exposed to both nutritional stress and increasing human activity in the Arctic coastal areas. More people and more polar bears will likely be using the same coastal areas resulting in greater interaction between bears and humans.

To date, polar bear attacks occur rarely, but figures show a general trend toward more polar bear deaths due to people using guns to defend themselves from perceived threats.

But there are some bright spots – in the past year, a project in the Canadian community of Arviat helped bring defensive kills of polar bears from several each year to none. Similar projects in the Russian far northeast have also helped reduce conflict deaths and damages.

Workshop participants are coming from a variety of backgrounds: polar bear management, research, polar tourism, and representatives of local populations. The main findings of the workshop will be presented in a report, which will include specific recommendations for best management of polar bears in connection with minimization of conflict level, with special relevance for Svalbard, Norway.

We encourage anyone with experience in polar bear conflict issues to attend as an observer. Registration as an observer to the workshop is open until February 21st. Inquiries and questions should be addressed to

Nils Harley Boisen
WWF-Norway advisor for Arctic and northern regions
e-mail: nboisen@wwf.no
Telephone: + 47 980 82 101 (Oslo Time zone GMT+1)

New research to inform good management of key polar bear populations

2013-02-11

OTTAWA – New financial contributions from WWF in support of polar bear research are improving the knowledge of key polar bear populations. The contributions were made possible by the WWF/Coca-Cola Company Arctic Home campaign. Research projects are underway across the Canadian Arctic to update information about the status of polar bears in Baffin Bay/Kane Basin and Viscount Melville Sound.

WWF is working with regional governments to support the gathering of up-to-date population information necessary for effective conservation of polar bears. Polar bears have great cultural, spiritual and economic significance to Inuit. The current population surveys are an important part of the basis for sustainable management of the populations to ensure long-term health.

WWF contributed just under $200,000 altogether to the surveys. Results from the surveys will be completed and shared beginning in April 2013.

"Knowing more about these high arctic polar bear populations is critical to our work in conservation," says Clive Tesar, head of WWF's Last Ice Area project. "These populations are in the area where resilient summer sea ice is predicted to persist the longest. Knowing the current numbers and distribution of polar bears there provides valuable baseline information for the future when summer ice around the rest of the Arctic is projected to dramatically recede. "

"We are proud to help support regional Canadian governments in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the polar bear. For a sustainable future, business, government and civil organizations like WWF have to work together. We are pleased to have made this contribution to the continued health of polar bear populations while respecting the traditional cultural rights of the Inuit," says Nicola Kettlitz, President of Coca-Cola Ltd. "Our Company is committed to continuing to support this work to maintaining a sustainable Arctic Home for both polar bears and people."

There are 13 subpopulations in Canada: one is shared with the United States and three are shared with Greenland. Polar bear subpopulations in Canada are surveyed according to provincial and territorial inventory schedules and are based on priority-need and the time elapsed since the last inventory.
WWF is currently celebrating Year of the Polar Bear, marking 40 years of polar bear conservation leadership from polar bear range states.

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

For more on WWF's Arctic work: www.panda.org/arctic
For more on the Last Ice Area project: www.lasticearea.org

For more information, please contact:
Clive Tesar
WWF Last Ice Area project lead
Email
(+1) 613-232-2535

Environment ministers must reach across boundaries to protect Arctic

2013-02-05

Arctic Environment ministers meeting in Sweden today should seize the chance to commit to working on conservation beyond national boundaries, says conservation organization WWF.

"When the ministers met two years ago in Greenland, they had some good discussions" says Alexander Shestakov , Director of WWF's Global Arctic Programme. "Today, they need to get beyond talk, and commit to projects that show how they'll cooperate in managing ecosystems that span national boundaries."

This "ecosystem-based management" (EBM) is key to effectively managing Arctic wildlife, especially as both wildlife and Arctic peoples cope with escalating climate change impacts. Countries cannot ignore the fact that resources such as fish stocks and species like polar bears and narwhals span national boundaries. They have to be considered in the context of international systems, not purely national concerns. The Arctic Council has an expert group studying EBM and its place in Arctic management. The ministers could take this work further, and commit to implementing EBM in pilot projects.

WWF is also urging the ministers to take action on reducing pollution linked to climate change in the Arctic. The so-called short lived climate forcers include soot and gases from industry, such as flaring natural gas. In its advice to the ministers, WWF suggest a series of steps leading to a full Arctic agreement on reducing these pollutants.

WWF's full statement to the Ministers' meeting can be found here:
http://www.government.se/content/1/c6/20/76/94/fbca7ea0.pdf

For more information:

Alexander Shestakov, Director WWF Global Arctic Programme
Mobile: +1 613 293 3149 email: ashestakov@wwfcanada.org

Clive Tesar, Head of Communications & External Relations WWF Global Arctic Programme
Mobile: +1 613 883 3110 email: ctesar@wwfcanada.org

Web: panda.org/arctic

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

Year of the Polar Bear kicks off with Ottawa scavenger hunt

2013-02-02

WWF is kicking off its "Year of the Polar Bear" at Winterlude, Ottawa's winter carnival, with an innovative scavenger hunt. Inspired by WWF-supported projects to track polar bears by satellite, five small ice sculptures of polar bears are hidden around the city, each representing one of the five countries where polar bears are normally found - Canada, Norway, Russia, the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States.

Visitors using smartphones can "tag" the small ice sculptures on the Icebear Tracker site at panda.org/icebear. With each successful tag, participants learn more about these Arctic icons. People who find all five are eligible to win fun prizes, such as lunch with a polar bear biologist.

"GPS technology allows researchers to study where polar bears go and how they behave - which in turn helps improve sustainable management of the species." says Geoff York, WWF's polar bear specialist. "The Icebear Tracker uses the same technology - we hope it will be a fun way to learn about and celebrate polar bear conservation."

The Year of the Polar Bear is WWF's recognition of forty years of international efforts to secure a future for the bears, and a look ahead to the challenges of the next forty years. 2013 is the 40th anniversary of the International Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears, a circumpolar effort that brought polar bear populations back from a worrisome decline. Today, however, a rapidly warming Arctic means the sea ice upon which the bears depend is shrinking. WWF is working with partners across the Arctic to combat threats to the region and to preserve its rich biodiversity to the benefit of local peoples and the global community.

Learn more

WWF thanks the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ottawa and Environment Canada for their contributions to this project.

Inuit community and WWF successfully curb polar bear conflict

2013-01-31

Arviat, Nunavut – A successful program to stop conflict between polar bears and people in the Hudson Bay community of Arviat in Canada has resulted in no bears being killed to protect the community in the past year. This is the first time in three years that no bears have had to be killed. The WWF-Hamlet of Arviat Human-Polar Bear Conflict Reduction Project has run for the past 2 years and will run again next year. The project is part of an international effort by WWF to reduce conflict between people and bears, conflict that can result in injury or death.

"In recent years, the community of Arviat has reported more and more polar bears near the town," said Ed Murphy, Senior Administrative Officer for Arviat. "Reasons for this are unclear, but likely include climate related changes in sea ice habitat patterns forcing more bears to stay along the coast, and increases in Arviat's population creating more bear attractants, including garbage at the dump. The community is increasingly concerned with the threat polar bears pose not just to property, but also to children and sled dogs."

The project allowed the Hamlet to hire a polar bear monitor to patrol and discourage bears from entering the community from October through December, the three-month period with the most bear activity in the region. The Hamlet also provided steel bins for storing food, and installed electric deterrent fences around several of the community's dog team pens.

"This project directly protects the community and the polar bear population, as well as increases community awareness of the situation," said Bob Leonard, Mayor of Arviat. With ongoing support, we can hopefully continue to reduce conflict between people and polar bears in Arviat, and promote the harmonious and mutually dependent relationship with nature that the people of Arviat value so highly."

The WWF-Hamlet of Arviat Human-Polar Bear Conflict Reduction Project was generously supported by donations from Coca-Cola Canada and other funders, as well as the Government of Nunavut.

About the Hamlet of Arviat
Arviat is a community of approximately 2,800 people, located on the west coast of Hudson's Bay, 90 kilometres north of the treeline and about 250 kilometres north of Churchill, Manitoba, The second-largest community in Nunavut, Arviat has strong ties to the land, and its predominantly Inuit population has retained much of their traditional culture and language. www.arviat.ca

About WWF
WWF is creating solutions to the most serious conservation challenges facing our planet, helping people and nature thrive. www.wwf.ca

For more information, please contact:
Keith Collier
Community Economic Development Officer
Arviat, NU
(867) 857-2941
arviatcedo@qiniq.com

Pete Ewins
Senior Officer, Species
Arctic Program, WWF-Canada
(416) 484-7711
pewins@wwfcanada.org

Riannon John
Communications Specialist, WWF-Canada
(416) 347-1894
rjohn@wwfcanada.org

WWF Celebrates the Year of the Polar Bear

2013-01-15

WWF, the world's leading conservation organization, is proclaiming 2013 The Year of the Polar Bear.

"This is a key year for polar bears," says Geoff York, WWF's international lead on polar bears. "While polar bears and their Arctic home face a challenging future, we need to recognize, and celebrate, the conservation achievements to date."

2013 marks the 40th anniversary of the 1973 Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears - a concerted international action to protect this magnificent species and its habitat. Due in large part to the Agreement and efforts by the five polar bear range states - Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia and the United States - polar bears still roam much of their historic range and occur in relatively large numbers today.
At the same time, the bears stand on the brink of an uncertain future. A rapidly warming Arctic means the sea ice upon which the bears depend is projected to dramatically shrink over the next several decades due to climate change.

It's time for the range states to prepare for the new challenges ahead, says York. "The range states have an opportunity in 2013 to repeat the successes of the past 40 years. By committing to habitat protection, addressing climate change, managing harvest, mitigating Arctic industrial development and funding polar bear research, these countries can ensure polar bear populations remain healthy for the next 40 years and beyond."

Over the course of the year, WWF will support polar bear research projects around the Arctic and encourage firm conservation commitments at this autumn's pivotal meeting of the range states.

WWF works to protect critical habitat for polar bears, including important movement corridors and denning habitats, and to prevent or remove additional stressors from industrial activity such as oil and gas development and arctic shipping. WWF also supports community involvement in conservation and management and monitors the setting of harvest levels by the responsible authorities.

Learn more
http://panda.org/polarbearyear

More information
Sue Novotny
Communications Officer, WWF Global Arctic Programme
O:1.613.232.2508
M:1.613.406.0812
Email

About WWF's Global Arctic Programme
WWF is working with its many partners – governments, business and communities – across the Arctic to combat these threats and preserve the region's rich biodiversity. The WWF Global Arctic Programme has coordinated WWF's work in the Arctic since 1992. We work through offices in six Arctic countries, with experts in circumpolar issues like governance, climate change, fisheries, oil and gas and polar bears.
http://panda.org/arctic

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
www.panda.org

Canadian polar bear pride can drive positive change at home and in the north

2013-01-14

Polar bear pride runs strong and free from coast-to-coast in Canada. According to a recent poll by Coca-Cola Canada, 61 per cent of Canadians consider the polar bear to be a symbol of national pride. To help make a positive impact on this important northern species, Coca-Cola Canada is once again joining with WWF to make #everyactionmatter.

For the second year, Coca-Cola Canada and WWF Canada are teaming up to support Arctic Home, a five year commitment focused on conserving polar bears and their habitat. As part of this effort, WWF is working with Northern peoples to develop a plan for the Last Ice Area, an area of summer sea ice high in the Arctic that is expected to be the most resilient as the Arctic warms. The Last Ice Area could cover close to 1.4 million square kilometers – twice the size of Manitoba. With strong conservation planning, the region can offer both polar bears and local communities a healthy future.

"We are proud to continue our commitment to Arctic Home and build on the success of last year's campaign to support the Last Ice Area," said Nicola Kettlitz, President of Coca-Cola Ltd. "We want Canadians to know that every action matters when it comes to climate change, and that by working together we can ensure there is a place where polar bears and Northern communities will thrive for generations to come."

In addition to the $2 million Coca-Cola has committed over the next five years to polar bear conservation, 5 per cent of the proceeds from specially marked 12- and 15-packs in Canada, up to $235,000, will be donated to Arctic Home. This investment will continue to help advance research and build relationships to understand the impacts of climate change on Arctic habitats.

Arctic Home Funds at Work
Since launching the campaign in October 2011, WWF has invested more than $2 million into conservation programs and research, such as surveying polar bear population sizes and trends, mapping polar bear denning sites and better understanding the sea-ice ecosystem. Funding is also being used to refine modeling processes to help predict future ice conditions, organize workshops with local communities and governments, and generate more support and awareness for conservation.

WWF's work in the Arctic seeks to combine local traditional knowledge with new science and research. Arctic Home will help advance WWF's vision for an Arctic with stable ecosystems, viable populations of wildlife and a sustainable use of natural resources.

"Coca-Cola Canada and WWF's partnership is about working together to conserve one of the most important places on our planet," said Martin von Mirbach, Director, Arctic Program, WWF-Canada. "The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the global average, but with the support of Coca-Cola and Canadians, the Last Ice Area can help chart a future for sustainable northern communities and ecosystems."

Show Your Polar Bear Pride
The combined donations of Coca-Cola Canada and Canadians in the first year of Arctic Home proved that change can happen when everyone works together. For year two, Canadians can visit www.livepositively.ca/ArcticHome between January 14 and March 31 to pledge their support to make changes in their daily lives that can inspire and incite collective action. From committing to wash laundry in cold water to taking public transit to work at least one day a week, the whole family can get involved and take a stand for the polar bears' home.

The Arctic Home website will be a portal to learn more about the polar bear and the Last Ice Area. Visitors can find information about the Coca-Cola Canada / WWF Canada partnership and local events, share content, make a pledge to take action, see what other Canadians are doing and donate directly to the effort.

The Arctic Home program extends The Coca-Cola Company's support of WWF's polar bear conservation efforts, and builds upon the two organizations' global freshwater conservation partnership. Together, the Company and WWF have worked to conserve freshwater resources around the world, use water more efficiently and cut down carbon emissions in the Company's manufacturing operations. Joining WWF's Climate Savers program in 2008, Coca Cola's global commitment will prevent the release of more than 2 million metric tons of CO2 in 2015 – the equivalent of planting 600,000 acres of trees. Additionally, the broader partnership works to promote sustainable agriculture in the Company's supply chain. By combining international strengths and resources, the Company and WWF are able to go beyond what each organization could achieve on its own.

Arctic Home is another expression of The Coca-Cola Company's commitment to make a positive difference in the world through sustainable business practices. For more information, visit www.livepositively.ca/ArcticHome.

About WWF
WWF is creating solutions to the most serious conservation challenges facing our planet, helping people and nature thrive. www.wwf.ca

About Coca-Cola Canada
Coca-Cola in Canada operates in all ten provinces, and employs 6,300 people in more than 50 facilities, including seven production facilities across Canada. We offer a wide variety of beverage brands, many of which come in no-calorie and low-calorie options. These beverages include sparkling soft drinks, still waters, juices and fruit beverages, sports drinks, energy drinks and ready-to-drink teas. We're proud to offer some of the most popular brands in Canada including Coca-Cola®, Diet Coke®, Coca-Cola Zero®, Sprite®, Fanta®, Nestea®, PowerAde®, Minute Maid®, Dasani® and vitaminwater®. Coca-Cola in Canada is represented by Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada and Coca-Cola Ltd. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.livepositively.ca or www.cocacola.ca.

Survey Methodology
The survey was completed online from December 4th to December 6th, 2012 using Leger Marketing's online panel, LegerWeb, with a sample of 1,500 Canadians, 18 years of age or older. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Jordana Wolch or Anne Locke
Environics Communications
416-969-2666 or 416-969-2714
jwolch@environicspr.com or alocke@environicspr.com

Shannon Denny
Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada
(416) 424-6373
sdenny@coca-cola.com

Riannon John
WWF
416-347-1894
rjohn@wwfcanada.org

Concerns over Arctic drilling grow as oil rig runs aground in Alaska

2013-01-02

An oil drilling rig operated by Royal Dutch Shell ran aground on a pristine wildlife-rich island in Alaska on Monday. This came after a series of technological failures in gale force winds and high seas—driving home serious concerns of WWF about drilling in the Arctic.

"This incident is a clarion call to America that the rush for Alaska's oil is dangerous and irresponsible," says Margaret Williams, managing director of the WWF-US Arctic Program. "Despite the US Coast Guard's heroic response, the safeguards in place to protect the state's wildlife and communities are still not adequate to prepare for all of the unforeseen circumstances related to drilling in this environment."

More than 250 federal and state officials, as well as representatives of Shell, assembled in Alaska Tuesday to develop a plan of action for managing what Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation officials called "the largest response effort ever launched in Alaska in the winter."

A series of mishaps

The grounding of the vessel is the last of a series of incidents for Shell after the company received permission from the U.S. government in August to conduct exploratory offshore drilling in Alaska's Chukchi and Beaufort seas. Over the last four months, the two rigs and tug boat used in the operation have experienced engine failure, fire and broken tow lines. Also, Shell's response vessel for this mission was deemed ill-prepared for response and Shell was fined for a series of illegal discharges of toxic fluid from one of its drilling rigs. Shell also was fined for violating air permit regulations related to the drilling operation.

"After promising to the US Administration and the public that it was ready for all contingencies in the Arctic, Shell has demonstrated that this is hardly the case," Williams says. "Enough is enough. Our federal and state officials should use these mishaps as a somber warning to re-evaluate their approach to offshore drilling in America's Arctic."

WWF in the Arctic

WWF believes it is not yet safe to allow offshore oil and gas development in the Arctic, as the right technology for responding to an oil spill in such an icy, remote and dark area is not in place and vulnerable areas have not yet been identified. If the time ever comes when such technology exists and is proven to be effective, WWF supports drilling under certain conditions. To that end, WWF is doing the following:

WWF is identifying the most important and sensitive places for Alaska's wildlife, which often are places of significance - culturally, economically and environmentally – to indigenous people and communities. We also consider areas that are particularly resilient to climate change. After identifying these areas, we aim to ensure they are off limits for industrial development, including oil and gas drilling.
WWF is advocating for science-based and transparent decision-making processes about when drilling is allowed. Based on the assessment of engineers, biologists and many oil and gas industry officials, WWF believes there is not adequate technology or infrastructure to respond to and contain spills in the sea ice environment. WWF promotes restricting drilling periods and other standards to minimize environmental impacts.
We want to ensure that there is the capacity to respond to a drilling disaster. Currently, there is not adequate equipment, people, or training in Alaska to respond to a spill.
Because many marine mammals depend on sound to survive, WWF wants to see better regulations in place that help minimize the amount of drilling-related noise.

What You Can Do
Join WWF in telling the federal government to keep the Arctic pristine and not jeopardize our natural heritage and local communities over risky oil exploration.

Arctic States release UNFCCC COP 18 Statement

2012-12-05

The September 2012 sea ice minimum in the Arctic highlighted once again that the effects of climate change are especially dramatic in the Arctic. In a joint statement prepared for the COP 18 climate conference in Doha, the Arctic States call for international emission cuts, particularly regarding Short Lived Climate Forcers (SLCF), in order to slow Arctic warming. In addition the Arctic Council and the Swedish Chairmanship will also host a side-event on Arctic climate change 6 December during the conference.

Statement on Arctic warming

The 18th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 18) of the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change in Doha, Qatar began 26 November and continues until 7 December.

The Arctic States use the 2012 sea ice extent minimum as a starting point for their joint statement. They note that Arctic inhabitants have observed rapid reductions in snow and ice cover and duration over the past decades. The dramatically accelerated ice loss and changes in snow and ice-conditions are confirmed by satellite observations and scientific studies. This warming has cascading effects on biodiversity, ecosystems and human living conditions in the Arctic and around the world. Arctic climate change is therefore of major global concern.

Arctic States call urgently upon the international community to limit the global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius by cutting emissions of long lived greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, but also prioritizing Short Lived Climate Forcers (SLCF). SLCF include black carbon, or soot, which is produced when wood or fossil fuels are burned. The Arctic Council will continue to spearhead efforts to address short lived climate forcers. Read the full statement here.

Side-event on global effects of Arctic climate change

The side-event Arctic climate change – rapid change and global consequences will be held in room Lefkosia, Hall 3 of the EU Pavilion at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha. The event will offer a wide range of perspectives and broaden the dialog on Arctic climate change and its global effects as Arctic Environment Ministers meet with scientists and NGOs to discuss pressing questions on the subject.

Several ministers from the Arctic Council member states will participate in the side-event: the Swedish minister of the Environment, Lena Ek, who will begin the event with an introductory speech/introductory remarks on the current situation in the Arctic; Jens B Frederiksen, Greenland´s minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Transport; Martin Lidegaard, Danish Minister of Climate, Energy and Building; and Peter Kent, Canada's Minister of the Environment.

Also, Lars-Otto Reiersen, executive secretary of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP); Samantha Smith, the leader of the WWF global climate and energy initiative, and Leehi Yona, youth delegate, will all be participating in the discussion moderated by Anders Turesson. Read the full event invitation here.

Arctic a hot topic at global climate talks

2012-11-29

The Arctic is a hot topic at global climate talks this week in Doha.

The World Meteorological Organization issued a "Provisional Statement on the State of Global Climate in 2012" highlighting the record crash of Arctic sea ice this year. WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said "The alarming rate of its melt this year highlighted the far-reaching changes taking place on Earth's oceans and biosphere. Climate change is taking place before our eyes and will continue to do so as a result of the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which have risen constantly and again reached new records."

While the WMO noted present Arctic impacts, the United Nations Environment Programme was looking ahead at the potential for thawing Arctic permafrost to release large amounts of warming gases into the atmosphere, speeding up global climate change. WWF is at the climate meetings offering solutions to wrenching Arctic and global change, and pushing nations at the talks to take up those solutions.

"We're hopeful that countries will respond to the wave of extreme weather impacts that hit the planet this year," said WWF's Samantha Smith. "We expect the EU to deliver on a second commitment period for Kyoto; we expect rich countries to have credible plans for how they'll keep their promises on climate finance; and we expect developing countries to do their part, bearing in mind that most are primarily low income countries still. The real test is whether folks are ready to talk about bigger cuts, in line with what every credible scientist and institution is telling us."