The Polar Retrospective – A grounded iceberg, Health survey in Tromsø, and US tariffs in the Canadian Arctic
The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world’s polar regions. This week we look at the iceberg A23a keeping South Georgia company, a Norwegian cross-generational health study, and at the impact of US tariffs in the Canadian Arctic.
The Polar Retrospective is a collaborative effort by the Polar Journal AG team. Each writer chooses a topic they found interesting and important in the past week. The initials at the end of each section indicate the author. We hope you enjoy it.
South Georgia’s new neighbour: Iceberg A23a grounded off the island
The older King penguins and Southern elephant seals on South Georgia may still remember when the world’s then-largest iceberg, A68a, drifted south past the island in the austral summer of 2020-2021, temporarily blocking their route to feeding grounds before eventually disintegrating.
Now, they are facing a similar challenge. Iceberg A23a—the current largest iceberg in the world—has come to a halt 73 kilometers southwest of South Georgia. Since March 1, the ice giant, roughly twice the size of Greater London, has been grounded in the region, according to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
A23a originally calved from the Filchner Ice Shelf in 1986 and remained lodged on the seabed of the Weddell Sea for more than 30 years. Since it began moving again in 2020, BAS researchers have been closely monitoring its trajectory. Now, they are focusing particularly on its impact on nutrient availability in surrounding waters.
While penguins and seals may need to take a detour when foraging, Dr. Andrew Meijers, an oceanographer at BAS, believes that the island’s wildlife is unlikely to be affected. In fact, they could even benefit from the iceberg, as upward currents caused by the berg and melting are expected to deliver more nutrients into the ecosystem, Dr. Meijers explains in a press release.
Many previous icebergs that followed a similar path disintegrated, drifted onward, and melted relatively quickly. It now remains to be seen how A23a will behave in the coming months.
When asked if the iceberg history can be linked to global warming, he says: “Icebergs, including megabergs like this one, are a completely normal part of the lifecycle of the Antarctic (and Greenland) ice sheets. […] However, observations show that the ice shelves have lost around 6000 giga (billion) tonnes of their mass since the year 2000. This is roughly matched by an increase in straight up melt of the ice shelves and aligns with a measured mass loss of the grounded ice over Antarctica – attributed to anthropogenic climate change. ” J.H.
Health in 400 questions in Tromsø
On March 3, the 8th medical research campaign of The Tromsø Study began in this town in the high north of Norway. The first edition dates back to 1974-1975, when men were dying young in the fishing villages of the Arctic. The risk factors for cardiovascular disease like physical activity, food, drink, and smoking were high. As a result of this awareness and the measures subsequently taken, life expectancy has been brought back into line with national averages. The study has won the confidence of local residents. In 2015, the 7th campaign had a 65% participation rate.
The subjects of the survey have expanded over time. “Smoking is declining, but vaping is affecting more young people,” study spokeswoman Siv Eli told Polar Journal AG. Thirty research projects were selected this year.
Some 37,000 local residents aged 40 and over have been invited to complete the questionnaire. The survey consists of around 400 questions, the size of which varies according to the respondent’s health. The data are anonymous, and the study could provide access to free consultations.
Clinical examinations, auscultations, and interviews will be organized at 3 Sjølundvegen, where a scanner has been installed to study osteoporosis. “Women in particular,” adds Siv Eli. “Small fractures in the back are underdiagnosed.” One reason for this could be the difficulty of accessing care, and this injury can be the cause of chronic pain.
New this year: the issue of household autonomy in the event of a supply shortage – electricity, water, food, and medication. “Useful information in case of storm, conflict or war,” explains the spokeswoman.
The government has invested 20 million crowns this time, doubling the efforts of The Tromsø Study. C.L.
Canadian Arctic Communities Stand United as Trade Dispute Ripples North
While a temporary lull in US tariff escalations offers a moment of reprieve, the underlying US-Canada trade dispute continues to cast a long shadow over Arctic communities. For Canada’s northern territories, this is not just an economic challenge, but a matter of regional sovereignty and resilience. The message from the Canadian Arctic is clear: they stand united with the federal government and are prepared to respond in kind.
Nunavut’s proactive removal of US-made liquor from territorial stores served as an early and symbolic demonstration of this resolve. This action, beyond its immediate economic impact, signals a firm stance from the North in the face of perceived unfair trade practices.
Interestingly, the trade dispute is revealing potential vulnerabilities within the US Arctic itself. In Skagway, Alaska, deep concerns are surfacing about the economic repercussions for their community. Skagway’s reliance on trade and supply chains extending from Yukon highlights the interconnectedness of the Arctic region, regardless of national borders. The tariffs, intended to pressure Canada, could inadvertently harm US Arctic communities that depend on these cross-border relationships, illustrating a potential backfire effect of the dispute.
While the immediate price impacts in some remote Canadian Arctic communities may be buffered in the short term, Arctic leaders are keenly aware of the longer-term risks to supply chains and economic stability. The reliance on bulk annual shipments makes these communities particularly vulnerable to sustained trade disruptions.
Beyond direct tariff retaliation, the Canadian Arctic may also be aligning with broader national strategies to diversify economic partnerships. Canada’s shifting approach to technology and infrastructure, exemplified by a more cautious stance towards companies like Starlink, could have particular resonance in the North. For remote Arctic regions, control over communications infrastructure and technology providers is a matter of strategic importance. Therefore, a unified Canadian approach to reduce reliance on specific foreign entities, even if framed as an “anti-Musk pivot,” can be seen as a form of economic self-defense supported by the Arctic territories.
The pause in tariff escalations may provide a crucial window for dialogue and de-escalation. However, the resolve demonstrated by the Canadian Arctic regions underscores that any lasting resolution must consider the specific needs and vulnerabilities of these northern communities, and acknowledge their firm alignment with Canada’s broader trade strategy. M.W.
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