Economic Systems

The Russian maritime Arctic stretches more than 160 degrees longitude from the Norwegian-Russian border in the west, to the Bering Strait in the east. It is Russia’s vast northern coastline, an open border to the Arctic Ocean, and a marine space that presents both strategic vulnerabilities and economic opportunities. The entire coastal area is arguably undergoing the most profound changes of any region in today’s Arctic. This essay seeks to identify key influential drivers of change, and uncertainties that will plausibly determine the region’s future.    

Permafrost thaw is one of the world’s most pressing climate problems, already disrupting lifestyles, livelihoods, economies, and ecosystems in the north, and threatening to spill beyond the boundaries of the Arctic as our planet continues to warm. To examine the effects of permafrost degradation, and increase our understanding of what this phenomenon means for the future of the region (and the world), The Arctic Institute’s new two-part permafrost series aims to analyze the topic from scientific, security, legal, and personal perspectives. 

Permafrost thaw is one of the world’s most pressing climate problems, already disrupting lifestyles, livelihoods, economies, and ecosystems in the north, and threatening to spill beyond the boundaries of the Arctic as our planet continues to warm. To examine the effects of permafrost degradation, and increase our understanding of what this phenomenon means for the future of the region (and the world), The Arctic Institute’s new two-part permafrost series aims to analyze the topic from scientific, security, legal, and personal perspectives. 

Changing sea levels open northern shipping lanes but create new logistical challenges. 

Letter to the editor relating to Arctic shipping and climate.  

The Arctic Coasts Workshop was held on October 9 to 11, 2023 at the University of Colorado Boulder. 64 in-person and 4 on-line participants attended the workshop. The goal of the workshop was to bring together a dynamic group of experts to exchange knowledge regarding coastal hazards and impacts, strengthen and expand partnerships, and develop actionable and immediate recommendation for Arctic research and community resilience.

The purpose of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is engagement with stakeholders: local governments, businesses, associations, membership organizations, tribes, and State and Federal agencies to implement the collective best practices for the improvement of the regional economy. The CEDS is to be an evolving, guiding document for SWAMC, providing direction that supports economic development in the region backed by quantifiable data and the insight of our leadership.

The Bering Strait Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy: 2019-2024 (CEDS) is the result of a continuous planning process at the local and regional level in the Nome Census Area of Northwestern Alaska. The goal of this process is to provide for sustainable and responsible development that benefits the people of the Bering Strait Region and improves the quality of life through economic opportunity. The current CEDS builds on the work of previous strategy committees and provides strategic direction for organizations and stakeholders in the region for the next five years.

Two significant priorities to accomplish in FY 2015-2016 include identifying sustainable funding and strengthening the capacity and role of the commission as a catalyst for positive Eskimo Walrus Commission: A Business Plan for Sustainability 2015-2020 November 2015. The development of this Business Plan for Sustainability is directly tied with outcomes identified for both of those priorities.

"Through the Bristol Bay CEDS and other initiatives, the region is implementing the Bristol Bay Regional Vision. The Bristol Bay Partnership with Bristol Bay Native Association as the lead organization sponsored the Vision to hear from the people about their hopes and dreams for the future. The CEDS is a planning tool used to map out where Bristol Bay wants to go, reduce redundancies, attract investment, and encourage partnerships."