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Svalbard - challenges and opportunities for development - Coggle Diagram
Svalbard - challenges and opportunities for development
Background
a Norwegian territory in the Arctic Ocean, 1000km north of Norway
the northernmost permanently inhabited archipelago in the world, 74-81N
average annual rainfall below 200mm
5-6C in summer and -16C in winter (but can be as low as -40C)
60% ice, 30% barren ground, 10% vegetated
permafrost everywhere 100-400m deep
population of 2700, most live in Longyearbyen on Spitzbergen
Coal Mining
Europe's Industrial revolution sparked an interest in Svalbard's known coal, gold, marble, asbestos and copper reserves
coal mining challenging due to extremely cold working conditions, long hours of winter darkness, challenging sea conditions (affect transport) and remoteness of mines
1899: first coal reached Norway
1948: production reached 500,000 tonnes
1906: mining settlement eestablished in Longyearbyen (orignal centre of the industry)
During 1900s, coal prices fell, production declined and mines closed
only Mine 7 remains operational in Longyearbyen Valley, which supplies all of Svalbard's energy - inefficient, needs upgrading
most of today's coal mining takes place at Sveagruva (50km SE)
Store Norske employs 1/3 of all workers on Svalbard
reserves expected to last until 2030
Economic & political difficulties: job losses, environmentalists call for an end to mining --> would be disastrous for community
Fishing
Barents Sea (to the south) are rich fishing grounds - 150 species of fish (cod, herring, haddock)
storms & sea ice making fishing extremely hazardous
Norway & Russia control/ monitor fishing practices together ensuring they're sustainable & ecosystem's protected
Barents Sea important breeding/ nursery ground for fish stock --> important they're protected from pollution & exploitation
Tourism
1975: airport at Longyearbyen opened --> tourism grew significantly
2013: 70,000 people visited Longyearbyen, 30,000 were cruise ship passengers
90% of land based visitors travel from Norway
Reasons for visit: explore natural environment (glacier, fjords, wildlife), study historical development of islands, adventure tourism more popular, N lights in winter
300 people employed in tourist sector
growth in tourist infrastructure in Longyearbyen (hotels, shops, restaurants, tour operators)
Tourism limited to Longyearbyen due to high cost of road construction/ maintenance
Frost action damages road causing cracking
Construction on permafrost is challenging --> surface melting can lead to subsidence
Polar research
Norway, Russia, Poland all have permanent research stations on Svalbard
Research focused on atmospheric changes linked to climate change - forecasted significant increase in Arctic temps and subsequent impacts on physical & ecosystems
SVALSAT receiving station collects satellite data from all 14 daily passes of polar orbiting satellites - allows for more continuous information than lower latitudes
heavy investment from NASA, NOAA, ESA
Research activities face fewer developmental regulations - can cause environmental damage due to associated infrastructure
Research vessels account for most of shipping traffic in remote & highly sensitive environments - oil/ waste spills would have significant impact
Resilience
long hours of darkness, extreme low temps, strong wind, heavy snowfall require resilience
needed by coal miners & researchers in remote areas
outside Longyearbyen is mostly wilderness - no roads, settlements or services
Mitigation
wearing appropriate clothing and footwear - layering, gloves, hats etc
homes are well insulated
constant light/ dark can have psychological effects: blackout curtains in summer, artificial 'natural light' in winter
energy security is vital in winter: coal-fired power station in Longyearbyen
pipes above ground to prevent rupturing in summer / freezing in winter
Adaptation
people with long-term medical issues/ elderly fly to Norway for treatment (or move permanently)
no maternity ward so must fly to Norway to give birth
cannot be buried due to frozen ground & frost heave