The Barents Observer

The Barents Observer is an online newspaper owned by journalists, focusing on the Barents Region and the Arctic. Committed to promoting cross-border journalism, dialogue, and mutual understanding, the Barents Observer delivers daily news from Scandinavia, Russia, and the Circumpolar Arctic. Our skilled team of reporters creates news articles and multimedia content that appeals to a global audience interested in Arctic matters. We cover important trends and developments in various topics, including climate change, energy and industry, shipping, civil society, politics, ecology, national security, and issues affecting indigenous peoples.

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Arctic predicted to warm more than three times faster than global average: WMO report

1 month ago | thebarentsobserver.com | Eilís Quinn

The report predicts average annual temperatures will be between 1.2 C and 1.9 C higher than the baseline period of 1850-1900. But when it comes to the Arctic, temperatures in the region are expected to go beyond that and are predicted to rise 2.4 C above the most recent 30-year baseline period of 1991-2020—something that would far exceed the global average.
Seaweed forests spreading, could change ocean chemistry in the Arctic

1 month ago | thebarentsobserver.com | Eilís Quinn

A recent study published in the journal Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans has explored this, looking at how rising seawater temperatures and melting sea ice are creating ideal conditions for macroalgae—large seaweed species like brown, red, and green algae. “Warmer seawater and less sea ice growth due to an increase in global temperature have a significant impact on the Arctic ecosystem, favoring the growth of seaweeds or macroalgae in coastal areas,” the authors say in the study.
Sámi introduce certification to promote ethical tourism in Arctic Finland

1 month ago | thebarentsobserver.com | Eilís Quinn

The Responsible Sámi Tourism Certificate will recognize tourism businesses whose operations align with Sámi values and environmental concerns and ensure that visitors experience authentic Sámi life and culture. “The purpose of the certification work is primarily to clarify the current situation of Sámi tourism, so that we can better support those who operate correctly and sustainably,” Tauno Ljetoff, a member of the Sámi Parliament, said at the conference.
Denmark takes over rotating Arctic Council chairship from Norway

1 month ago | thebarentsobserver.com | Eilís Quinn

“In a world facing complex and difficult circumstances, the Arctic Council must rise to the moment by showing that, even now, through cooperation and dialogue we can live up to a higher responsibility,” Vivian Motzfeldt, Greenland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Research, said at a streamed news conference after the handover.
Arctic Council to hold virtual chairmanship handover from Norway to Denmark on May 12

2 months ago | thebarentsobserver.com | Eilís Quinn

In response to an email query, the Council confirmed that all components of the forum -Arctic States, Permanent Participants, Working Groups, and Observers - will meet online only. The event will not be live-streamed. Transformation of workThe Arctic Council is an international forum for the eight Arctic nations and six Arctic Indigenous groups and focuses on emergency preparedness, environment and sustainable development in the North. The chairmanships rotate between the countries every two years.
EU’s raw materials plan an attack on Indigenous land and culture, says Saami Council

2 months ago | thebarentsobserver.com | Eilís Quinn

The mining projects Talga Graphite in Nunasvaara, LKAB ReeMap in Malmberget, and LKAB Per Geijer in Kiruna, all located in Arctic Sweden, part of the traditional Saami homeland. “The EU is promoting the exploitation of minerals that contribute to human rights abuses within the EU,” Per-Olof Nutti, president of the Saami Council said in a statement.
Atlantification ushering in new era of sea ice loss in the Siberian Arctic

Feb 25, 2025 | thebarentsobserver.com | Eilís Quinn

The study, published in the journal Science Advances, found that his process—known as atlantification—is melting sea ice faster than ever before as it pushes further into the Arctic Ocean near Russia. “The eastern part of the Siberian Arctic Ocean is still strongly stratified, but the atlantification-driven shoaling of warm, salty, and nutrient-rich intermediate waters already has important ecological consequences there,” the authors on the international research team said in the study.
Finland, Sweden boost security in North with new police cooperation agreement

Feb 4, 2025 | thebarentsobserver.com | Eilís Quinn

“The border area between Finland and Sweden is an exceptional state border region, where the community structure does not follow state borders (the Tornio-Haparanda area) and where cross-border interaction and cooperation are intensive in various areas of life,” Hannele Taavila, the Police Director in Finland told Eye on the Arctic.
‘207 weeks to go’-Norwegian foreign minister remarks on U.S. unpredictability

Jan 31, 2025 | thebarentsobserver.com | Elias Thorsson

In a moment that drew audible laughter from the audience at the Arctic Frontiers Conference, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide made a subtle, but pointed remark about NATO’s uncertain future under U.S. President Donald Trump. “Yes, we have 207 weeks to go—one down,” he said, a clear reference to the remaining time in Trump’s presidential term.
Mothers and wives must take part of blame for big losses, military newspaper argues

Jan 24, 2025 | thebarentsobserver.com | Atle Staalesen

"Every other mother and wife talks with third parties, including the enemy, about the location of their men in Ukraine. This information is compiled by the enemy and used for precision strikes."The warning comes as unofficial numbers of killed and wounded Russian soldiers exceed 800,000. Relatives are desperate for information about their beloved ones.