Society

For many in Greenland, climate change is not a distant concept but a daily reality, even if its causes are understood in different ways.

The Role of Scurvy in Polar Expeditions

Scurvy was a serious threat to polar expeditions, caused by a lack of vitamin C.

Hobart is in the grip of Antarctic fever

From 20 to 23 August 2026, Hobart will be celebrating its unique connection to Antarctica – with science, history and activities for the whole family.

Jacques-Yves Cousteau – The man with the bobble hat

Greta Paulsdottir

Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the lanky man who smoked Gitanes Bleues and wore a red bobble hat, was the hero of my childhood. I probably shared my enthusiasm for Cousteau with an entire generation.

Pyramiden, Frozen in Time

Decades after its abandonment, the Soviet mining settlement of Pyramiden remains suspended between Arctic wilderness, preserved history and the slow return of nature.

Arctic Row 2026: Swiss Expedition Plans Historic Row Across the Arctic

Four Swiss adventurers will begin the Arctic Row 2026 expedition at midnight between 3 and 4 July 2026, departing from Svalbard. Their goal is to complete a historic human-powered row of more than 3,000 kilometres to the edge of the Arctic sea ice and then continue all the way to mainland Scotland.

Unequal pollutant exposure in men and women in the Arctic

Arctic dietary pollution exposes men and women to different levels of contaminants, reflecting differences in diet and biology.

Arctic Wildlife and Human Health in a Changing Environment

As climate change reshapes Arctic ecosystems, the close ties between wildlife and food systems are increasing the risk of diseases passing from animals to people.

Midwinter 2026: Greetings from the eternal ice

21 June is a special day for participants in Antarctic expeditions from all over the world: it is Midwinter, the traditional celebration of the longest night and the shortest day of the year in Antarctica.

Greenlandic cuisine - Kalaallit Nunaat

A traditional dish from Greenland that captures the flavors of the North.

More Than Transport: Human–Dog Cooperation in the Arctic

In the Arctic, humans and sled dogs form a cooperative system that combines mobility, sensory awareness, and shared learning to adapt to extreme conditions.

Ingrid Pedersen: The First Woman to Fly Over the North Pole

In 1963, Ingrid Pedersen crossed the North Pole in a small aircraft, becoming the first woman to do so on a flight from Alaska to Norway.

Scientific Insights from an Inuit Narwhal Hunt

Researchers gained rare insights into narwhals by joining an Inuit hunt, revealing new details about their behavior and biology.

Farewell, Sun

A special moment marked the beginning of a long and challenging period at Japan’s Showa Station in Antarctica in early June.

Cooking at the End of the World: Everyday Life in Antarctica

Icy winds, endless expanses of snow, and temperatures far below freezing, Antarctica is one of the most inhospitable places on Earth.

Krill fishing and bycatch in the Southern Ocean

Krill fishing in the Southern Ocean is tightly managed, but new research shows that bycatch and local fishing pressure remain important concerns.

Argentine Cuisine: Matambre a la Pizza

Matambre a la Pizza is a delicious Argentine dish that combines the best elements of grilled meat and pizza.

How warming affects microbial processes in polar regions

Microbial processes in warming polar regions may influence greenhouse gas emissions and climate beyond the Arctic and Antarctic.

Mine 7 Closure Ends Norwegian Coal Mining in Longyearbyen

The recent closure of Mine 7 marks the end of Norwegian coal mining in Longyearbyen and reflects a broader shift toward new economic activities on Svalbard.

Early thaw complicates return from Mina’s Svalbard crossing

Early thawing in Svalbard is creating unexpected logistical challenges for the return of ten-year-old Mina Floriana Read from the northern part of the archipelago.

Arctic Voices 2026

The Arctic continues to resonate far beyond its geographic boundaries, finding a vibrant presence in the city of Bern.

Svalbard introduces mandatory certification for Arctic guides

From 2027, guides outside Svalbard’s settlements must hold official approval under a new certification system.

Young skier attempts Svalbard crossing at just ten

A ten-year-old skier is attempting to cross Svalbard, prioritizing shared experience and time in the Arctic over speed or records.

The Svalbard Treaty: A Brief Overview

The Svalbard Treaty grants Norway sovereignty while ensuring equal access and peaceful use of the Arctic archipelago for all signatory nations.

Sveagruva Opens Doors to Science

Sveagruva, a historic mining settlement, is now a research base giving UNIS scientists unprecedented access to study eastern Svalbard’s glaciers, geology, and ecosystems.

Trappers Trail 2026: Svalbard’s Sled Dog Race

Trappers Trail 2026 brought sled dogs and mushers together for a weekend of racing, community spirit, and Arctic adventure on Svalbard.

The Sourtoe Cocktail: Dawson City’s Most Bizarre Drink

In Dawson City, Yukon, adventurous drinkers can join the Sourtoe Cocktail Club by downing a shot containing a real dehydrated human toe.

Longyearbyen Celebrates International Women’s Day

On March 8th, the community in Longyearbyen gathered at the Svalbard Museum to celebrate International Women’s Day, with speeches, a discussion panel, and music from a local choir.

Greeting the Sun in Longyearbyen: Solfestuka 2026

On March 8th, the people of Longyearbyen came together to celebrate the annual return of the sun, a cherished moment after the long polar night.

Trade Secret: Arctic Premiere Sheds Light on Polar Bear Fur Trade

Last Friday, on International Polar Bear Day, Trade Secret had its Arctic premiere in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.

First Seed Deposit of 2026 at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault carried out its first deposit event of 2026 this week.

Norwegian Cuisine: Klippfisk

Klippfisk, also known as bacalhau, is a traditional dish from Norway made from dried and salted cod.

The search for the fifth Shackleton Medal winner has begun

The search for the fifth recipient of the Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions has begun. The award is presented each year on the birthday of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton and aims to highlight the global importance of these sensitive regions.

Welcome to ICE ALASKA

The winter silence in George Horner Ice Park in Fairbanks has come to an end.

New UN High Seas Agreement: What Opportunities Does It Offer for the Polar Regions?

On January 17, 2026, the BBNJ Agreement of the United Nations (Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction) entered into force.

Polar Night: How Darkness Shapes Rhythm, Psyche, and Community

In the northern polar regions, the sun disappears below the horizon for weeks or even months during winter – a phenomenon known as the polar night.

When Will the Dispute Over Greenland Escalate?

For now, the situation still appears calm. It is still considered unlikely that the United States will gain control over Greenland in the near future.

A message in a bottle circles two-thirds of Antarctica

What began as a spontaneous idea on the high seas developed into an extraordinary journey.

Royal Letterbox for Antarctica

In the middle of the eternal ice, a special gift caused a stir shortly before Christmas.

With best wishes for the New Year 2026

As the year draws to a close, we look back with gratitude - and ahead with anticipation.

Christmas greetings from PolarJournal

We look back on an extraordinary year - one filled with fascinating insights, moving stories, and new perspectives from the most remote regions of our planet.

Hope in the Ice – Rare Adoption of a Polar Bear Cub near Churchill Surprises Researchers

Near the small town of Churchill in northeastern Manitoba, a mother polar bear was spotted with two cubs – but only one of them was her own.

Putin approves North Pole base and additional Arctic projects by decree

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered by decree on 15 December the construction of a non-permanent ice base at the North Pole.

Beyond sled dogs and gold

Drawing on his background in anthropology and an equal passion for history, Michael Engelhard, through the lens of one pivotal city, surveys the seam that links two neighboring continents.

From Berlin to Svalbard – The History of the Ny-Ålesund Locomotive

This locomotive tells a story of hard labor, technical challenges, and the human determination to extract resources even under the most extreme conditions.

Canadian Cuisine – Butter Tarts

Butter tarts are a classic Canadian dessert known for their rich, buttery filling.

At the Edge of the Ice – A Visual Expedition to Northern Greenland

Swiss photographer Markus Bühler presents the exhibition “At the Edge of the Ice – Travelling in Northern Greenland”

Norway Pauses Deep-Sea Mining Plans Until 2029

Norway has decided to halt deep-sea mining plans in Arctic waters until at least 2029. The move was announced on 1 December 2024.

Ivittuut – Greenland’s forgotten cryolite capital

On the southwestern edge of Greenland lies the ghost town of Ivittuut. Once a lively settlement due to its global importance in the production of metallic aluminum.

Greenlandic cuisine – Tørret Fisk