US President Obama has declared parts of the Arctic off-limits to new oil and gas drilling until 2022. Environmental groups have praised the move while Republican lawmakers have said they will try to overturn the plan.
President Barack Obama and his administration announced a new five-year offshore drilling plan on Friday which blocks the planned sale of new oil and gas drilling rights in the seas north of Alaska.
The decision blocks lease sales in the Chukchi Sea and Beaufort Sea until after the year 2022. The plan still allows for 11 potential drilling lease sales to go forward in Alaska's Cook Inlet area and in the Gulf of Mexico.
"Given the unique and challenging Arctic environment and industry's declining interest in the area, forgoing lease sales in the Arctic is the right path forward," US Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said in a statement.
Last year, Royal Dutch Shell PLC announced it would cease exploration in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas, citing disappointing results from a well in Chukchi and unpredictable federal regulations - after spending around $7 billion (6.6 billion euros).
Several environmental groups praised the Obama administration's decision, saying it comes at a key moment as the US President-elect Donald Trump has promised to boost the coal industry and expand oil and gas drilling. He has also said he intends to pull the US out of the landmark Paris Agreement on global warming.
"The decadeslong push to drill in the Arctic has put this unique and diverse ecosystem at risk, cost tens of billions of dollars and created significant controversy without providing the promised benefits," said the senior vice president of environmental group Oceana.
The Sierra Club said the announcement to protect the diverse Arctic environment "couldn't come at a better time."
President-elect Donald Trump could rewrite the drilling plan, but the process could take either months or years.
Backlash from lawmakers
Republican lawmakers and industry representatives decried Friday's decision as political, promising to overturn it.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, said in a statement that the White House's plan "squanders our ability to harness the abundant, affordable energy sources that power our economy."
"We will work to overturn this plan, and to open up the Arctic and other offshore areas for development," Ryan vowed.
Despite Shell noting disappointing results in its Arctic explorations, industry groups harshly criticized Obama's plan.
"The arrogance of the decision is unfathomable, but unfortunately not surprising," said Randall Luthi, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, an industry group. He added that a majority of Alaskans are in favor of offshore drilling.
In March, the US government announced a similar plan when it also blocked drilling in the Atlantic Ocean, removing it from the 2017 to 2022 road map. Around 400 scientists signed a letter this summer urging Obama to eliminate the possibility of offshore drilling in the Arctic.
rs/kl (AP, AFP)
25 years of German research in the Arctic
In 1991, Germany set up a research base on Spitsbergen - it's one of the northernmost settlements in the world. With climate change affecting the Arctic twice as fast as the rest of the planet, interest has boomed.
Image: DW/I. Quaile
Living science lab in the Arctic north
In the tiny settlement of Ny Alesund, in the Svalbard archipelago, 11 countries run research stations, which are housed in brightly colored buildings. The "blue house" became the base for German Arctic research 25 years ago. This local resident, a Svalbard reindeer, has gotten used to the scientists and their comings and goings.
Image: DW/I.Quaile
Germany and Arctic research
The "blue house" became Koldewey Station - named after Carl Koldewey, the pioneer of German Arctic Research. In 2003, the German research agency Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) joined forces with the French Paul Emile Victor (PEV) polar institute to run a joint research base, AWIPEV. Young scientists supported by French or German organizations live and work here in the summer season.
Image: DW/I.Quaile
A colorful base
In the early 20th century, the small settlement of Ny Alesund sprung up around coal mining. Later, this served as a base for fishermen, and a hotel was built to attract tourists. Although these ventures failed, the settlement eventually found its true destiny as an international Arctic research village. In the completely dark winter months, only a skeleton staff stays on the base.
Image: DW/I. Quaile
Picturesque history
There are traces of history all around Ny Alesund. This old train track, on the banks of the Kongsfjord, makes for a beautiful visual motif. The colorful old café still comes to life when scientists have some time off on the weekend.
Image: DW/Irene Quaile
Mount Zeppelin
Above the village is Mount Zeppelin, which houses an observatory that monitors global atmospheric change and transport of long-range pollution. Located so far from pollution sources, it is one of a network of measuring stations around the globe. This spectacular view is seen only by very few people, as access is limited to avoid affecting the measurements. Mobile phones are banned in the village.
Image: DW/I. Quaile-Kersken
Who measures that CO2?
One key measurement carried out inside the observatory consists of how much CO2 is in the atmosphere. Mauna Loa in Hawaii is probably the best known of the world's measuring stations - but this Arctic location also plays a key role. Monitoring greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is key to understanding global climate change.
Image: DW/I. Quaile
The trials of technology in Arctic conditions
Scientists have the opportunity to carry out research and experiment with new technologies during the summer season up in Svalbard. Unsurprisingly, measuring ice and snow processes is one of the main subjects of research here. Melting snow turns into lots of water. Unfortunately for these two researchers, their airborne camera chose to land right … there.
Image: Irene Quaile
Foxy curiosity
Amongst the local residents dropping in for a snack is this Arctic fox. It is early summer and he is starting to lose his winter coat. Biologists also come to the research base to investigate Arctic wildlife. Sometimes, the question is: Who is watching whom?
Image: Irene Quaile
The world's northernmost marine lab
In 2005, the Kings Bay Marine Laboratory was officially opened. It is the northernmost experimental laboratory for research in marine ecology, as well for physical sciences like oceanography. Scientists from all over the world make use of the lab facilities to store and work on their samples and prepare them for transport home.
Image: DW/I. Quaile
Changing climate, acid ocean
Climate change is making our seas increasingly acid. The Kongsfjord is one location where scientists investigate how this affects creatures that live in the ocean. Here, scientists from some of Germany's leading marine research bodies are lowering "mesocosms" into the fjord. These function like closed observation labs in the icy water. In the background, a Greenpeace ship provides logistical aid.
Image: DW/I.Quaile
A barrow-load of science
Visiting scientists regularly collect samples in the fjord. Sometimes the high-tech equipment is transported to the research boat via old-fashioned means. Researchers from different countries and organizations help each other out in collecting samples. One is looking into viruses, the other into how sediment from melting glaciers affects life in the fjord.
Image: DW/I.Quaile
Suited for survival
Even in summer, the water of this Arctic fjord is ice-cold. Any researcher who falls into the water would die very quickly without proper protection. The orange survival suits are therefore a must for any boat expedition, like this one to the glacier in the distance. The expedition leader must also carry a rifle, in case of unexpected encounters with polar bears.
Image: DW/I. Quaile
Eiders on ice
Waiting for the next set of curious scientists? Birds along the fjords are not always keen to be captured, weighed, have blood samples taken or be ringed. But in the interest of understanding the Arctic and the world we live in, sometimes you have to put up with a little discomfort.
