Society

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

Tørret Fisk is a traditional dish that captures the essence of Nordic cuisine.

Greenland seeks closer ties with the EU

Forty years after leaving the EEA, Greenland is seeking closer ties with the EU again. Following pressure from Trump on the island, the government in Nuuk wants to forge closer ties with Europe and hopes for more financial support.

Swiss Seed Samples for the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard

Svalbard – On October 21, 2025, the Global Seed Vault on Svalbard was opened once again. More than 21,000 new samples from 20 international gene banks made their way into the frozen mountain above the airport of Longyearbyen.

Polar Journal – We’re Back, with Fresh Energy and a New Team!

Polar Journal is back! With fresh energy and a new team, we’re bringing you fascinating stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and all the latest from the world’s polar regions.

Tsunami warnings for Alaskan islands after 8.8-earthquake

Dr. Michael Wenger

After the strongest earthquake recorded this year near the Russian Kamchatka Peninsula, tsunami warnings were issued from Alaska to Antarctica.

Antarctic Journal from Chile: A Generation's Voice in the Face of Climate Change

Guest Author

In a special report for Polar Journal AG, Milenio BASE Head of Communications Nadia Politis travelled to the Antarctic Peninsula to meet with the winners of the Feria Antárctica Escolar, a unique student project.

Glacier melt threatens lives and livelihoods: 2C warming is too high

Dr. Irene Quaile-Kersken

The shocking images of a glacier breaking off and covering a village in the Swiss alps highlights the urgent need to cut greenhouse gas emissions to minimize ice loss.

Improving Arctic food security through DNA science and respectful collaboration with Indigenous Peoples

As food insecurity greatly affects Inuit communities, community workshops bringing together Elders, hunters, and scientists were held to discuss how to use DNA for Arctic wildlife and food security.

Pele Blytmann and Joel Hansen - fishermen in Disko Bay, Greenland

In the port of Ilulissat, sailors leave and land between the ice every day. We met two of them. They tell us what they like about their profession and the difficulties they face.

Of polar bears and men: Churchill

Mirjana Binggeli

In a new documentary, CBS highlights the challenges facing Churchill. The documentary focuses in particular on the inhabitants of this town famous for its polar bears.

Diary of a journey to Greenland: from where the boats go and where the city comes

Among the scenes polarjournal.net witnessed this week were the sailors setting sail from the small fishing port of Ilulissat, the parade of locals to the Brugseni supermarket, Easter days and the blue sky.

Meet Sofie Schultz Christiansen - Her story in languages

A translator and interpreter since she was a child, Sofie Schultz Christiansen told us about her story, her passion for languages, her travels and her life in Ilulissat.

Diary of a journey to Greenland: melt day and ice childhood

Among the scenes that polarjournal.net witnessed this week were the sudden melting in April, the first signs that winter is ending, and an outing in the fjord with a group of children we met at the ILLU Science and Art Center.

Diary of a journey in Greenland: from the sky to the old church in Ilulissat

Among the scenes witnessed by polarjournal.net this week were a passage over Greenland in a small twin-engined plane and a baptism in a church in Ilulissat dating from 1771.

France Pinczon du Sel and Éric Brossier - Part II: The art of sharing

In contact with researchers who came to live with them to study the pack ice, the two partners have imbibed a scientific culture that they strive to pass on to interested Inuit and southerners alike.

Eric Brossier and France Pinczon du Sel - Part I: Tandem in the cold

Attracted by the beauty of the Arctic and in search of rational explanations of how it works, the two partners immersed themselves in a frozen landscape. Ideal conditions in which to meet modern-day Inuit and share a few ancestral customs.

The Polar Retrospective - Erased graffiti, an updated map, Arctic killer whales, and a Finnish inconvenience

This week we look at a mission to clean up a graffitied building in Antarctica, a new South Orkney Islands map, an increase in Arctic killer whales, and rising tourism prices in Finland.

"Did it pass too close, was it too late to reverse?"

Hervé Baudu, professor of nautical sciences at the École Nationale Supérieure Maritime and member of the Académie de Marine, talks about the collision of the 50 Let Pobedy and the polar seminar of the Arctic Council's Working Group on the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME), co-organized with the International Maritime Organization.

The Polar Retrospective - Plastic in Antarctica, Nunavut renewable energy and Belgium polar heritage

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world's polar regions. From last week we chose: the discovery of microplastic around the Union Glacier, a renewable energy project in Iqaluit and the 'Belgica' pennant classified as part of national heritage.

Hunting, fishing, nature and gathering, a dependent Russian republic

From Dolgans to Evenks, Yakuts and even the descendants of 19th-century Russians, the Sakha region is still very rural and relies on natural resources for its food and livelihood.

Martin-de-Viviès scientific station threatened by flames

The scientific station on Amsterdam Island was evacuated.

Polar Journal AG Sets Sail with a Bold New Look and Expanded Services

Dr. Michael Wenger

Polar Journal AG relaunches with a fresh design, expanded content including a focus on polar culture, and emphasizing integrated services to deliver a richer experience for its global audience.

Vandalism at historic site in Antarctica

Dr. Michael Wenger

A previously unknown perpetrator has sprayed graffiti on the hangar of Whaler's Bay and shocked the polar community with this act of vandalism.

What is the origin of the stress experienced on the Machu Picchu station?