Arctic sea ice nears record low

John Gunnar Broks, from Honningsvåg and Alta in Finnmark, Northern Norway, has been nominated for the "Gullklypa" (Golden thongs) environmental award. Gullklypa recognizes efforts to combat littering. This year’s winner will be announced as early as the end of October, according to Hold Norge Rent (Keep Norway Clean), a Norwegian non-profit organization dedicated to fighting litter.

The five finalists for the 2025 Gullklypa award are:

Silje Østby Thune (Larvik)

• Patrick Dahle Bjørsvik (Flatanger, Kvaløyseter)

• Norwegian Diving Clubs, represented by the Norwegian Diving Federation (nationwide)

• John Gunnar Broks (Honningsvåg and Alta)

• Christopher McDade (Stavanger)

Hold Norge Rent presents this award annually. The honor pays tribute to a dedicated individual or organization that has made an extraordinary effort to combat littering over the past year. The five finalists were selected based on the following criteria:

• Continuous and systematic cleanup efforts over time

• Volume of waste removed

• Collaboration in the fight against litter

• Serving as a source of inspiration

• Contribution to national cleanup drives

• Knowledge regarding littering

The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) has registered growing interest from state threat actors in Norway's coastal and maritime areas.

"We are seeing very significant interest in the Arctic and the High North from a number of countries. This mainly concerns Russia, but also China," Jon Fitje Hoffmann, director at PST, tild the norwegian broadcaster NRK.

According to Hoffmann, Russia is seeking to map Norwegian ports, communications cables, ans the thousands of kilometres of oil and gas pipelines on the seabed.

He said this could be part of general intelligence gathering, but could also serve as preparation for potential acts of sabotage.

PST is now urging the public to report unusual activity, including incidents that fall outside the normal pattern and people or vessels behaving suspiciously.

PST also advises individuals and businesses to be alert to unexplained friend requests on social media.

Two Danish F-35 fighter jets landed in Greenland for the first time on Wednesday, at Kangerlussuaq Airport, reports KNR.

They are training alongside American F-16s and Canadian F-18s.

A Danish F-35 pilot tells the Danish Defence that Arctic conditions pose particular challenges for operations. The weather can be harsh and unpredictable, while distances between airfields are vast.

The operation is also supported by a French aerial refuelling aircraft, a Danish surveillance aircraft and a NATO AWACS aircraft.

US President Donald Trump has previously criticised Denmark for insufficient security measures in Greenland, citing threats from Russia and China.

Kebnekaise’s ice-covered southern peak continues to melt, although at a much slower rate than in recent years, reports SVT.

This year’s measurement puts the peak at 2,088.3 metres above sea level, 10 centimetres lower than at the same time last year.

The ice-free northern peak, which stands at 2,096.8 metres, has therefore been Sweden’s highest point for the eighth consecutive year.

"This year’s limited melting is small compared with previous years, but the peak is still losing height despite the cold summer," says Johanna Dahlkvist of the Tarfala Research Station at Stockholm University.

The southern peak has lost around 30 metres since systematic measurements began in 1951. Last year, it lost 1.5 metres, while melting reached as much as 3.4 metres in 2024.

Finland’s largest genetic research project, FinnGen, plans to expand its database to include health information on the entire Finnish population, reports Yle.

The expansion could involve data on around 7.1 million people, including diagnoses, hospital visits and laboratory results. FinnGen already holds genetic and health-related data on more than 500,000 Finns.

The plans have raised concerns about privacy and data security. Tomi Voutilainen, a professor of public law, warns that it is unclear to citizens how their data will be processed.

Yle also reports two security breaches involving FinnGen, in 2020 and 2023.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney will welcome the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, to Ottawa, Ontario from September 20 to 21.

During the visit, the leaders will discuss opportunities to deepen the Canada-Norway partnership across key sectors, such as energy, critical minerals, and sovereign technology – including artificial intelligence and aerospace, a press release states.

“Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Støre will also advance Canada and Norway’s defence and security partnership. As Arctic nations and NATO Allies, they will discuss efforts to strengthen security and resilience in the Arctic and North Atlantic, modernise our defence capabilities, and bolster secure and resilient defence supply chains that support our collective security," states the press release.

“Canada and Norway are strong partners with growing ties in energy, defence, and technology. I look forward to hosting Prime Minister Støre as we deepen our economic relationship, strengthen the NATO Alliance, and create new opportunities for Canadian and Norwegian workers and businesses,” says Prime Minister Carney.

On Tuesday, the Canadian government announced that it will invest 405 million Canadian dollars in the Mackenzie Valley Highway project in the Northwest Territories.

The investment is being made through an Arctic Infrastructure Fund, and represents an important step toward establishing a continuous all-season transportation connection between the village of Wrigley and the city of Norman Wells.

“Safe and dependable transportation infrastructure is essential to strong, connected communities across Canada’s North and Arctic. This investment will help build more dependable connections, strengthen supply chains, create economic opportunities and improve access to essential services," says Steven MacKinnon, Canadian Minister of Transport, continuing:

"Through the Arctic Infrastructure Fund, we are investing in infrastructure that responds to the needs of northern and Indigenous communities while strengthening Canada’s resilience, security and sovereignty in the Arctic.”

Events in Finland, Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Åland this autumn will showcase some of the initiatives on the shortlist for the Nordic Council Environment Prize 2026.

The Nordic Council Environment Prize this year focuses on initiatives that give young people the knowledge, skills and opportunities to influence developments in their local communities and society as a whole.

Four events will provide the public with opportunities to meet initiatives nominated this year from Finland, Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Åland.

The people involved will make presentations and engage in discussions about what it has been like to help children and young people to understand the climate and biodiversity crisis and play an active role in the green transition.

The four events across the Nordic Region:

• Denmark: Meet The Astra Mass Experiment, 29 August

• Finland: Meet 70 Adventures Before Seventh Grade, 8 September

• The Faroe Islands: Mød Rótin, 22 September

• Åland: Meet Åland Nature School, 24 September

The Canadian Coast Guard's largest and most powerful icebreaker, CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, reached the North Pole on August 16.

The transit supports Canada's efforts to define its continental shelf and map its outer limits under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. During its voyage, the icebreaker collects high-resolution geoscientific and hydrographic data.

“The arrival of CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent at the North Pole is an important milestone that reflects Canada’s enduring commitment to the Arctic. Supported by the expertise of Canadian Coast Guard personnel, this mission advances scientific knowledge, strengthens our presence in the North, and reinforces Canada’s sovereignty and security,” says David J. McGuinty, Canadian Minister of National Defence.

Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), hosted Gen. Michael Hyldgaard, the Kingdom of Denmark’s Chief of Defence, for strategic visits to key military installations in Alaska, August 12-14.

That is stated in a press release from Alaskan Command Public Affairs.

The multi-day visit focused on combined Arctic operations, airspace defense, operational integration, and interoperability.

"Showcasing our operations in Alaska demonstrates to our Allies the benefit of the NORDIC bridge which ties the US and NATO partners to deter and defend the Northern Approaches and the Arctic as a whole," said Guillot and added:

"Cooperation in this demanding environment ensures our combined forces remain ready to defend our nations at a moment's notice."

The visit began at Eielson Air Force Base on August 13, where both leaders suited up to participate in separate flight profiles in F-16 Fighting Falcons.

On August 14, the defense leaders transitioned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson for high-level bilateral discussions at Alaskan Command Headquarters. The generals also met with Alaskan defense leaders to discuss shared security challenges, the defense of Greenland, and initiatives to enhance domain awareness across the Arctic.

The Government of Greenland has received inquiries that cruise ships sailing in certain fjord areas are perceived as a burden on the local population and the affected natural areas. The inquiries concern, among other things, the impact on wildlife, noise pollution and the desire to preserve the areas' natural and recreational values.

This is stated by the Greenland government, Naalakkersuisut, in a press release.

In the statement, the government writes that it views positively the growing interest in Greenland as a travel destination and recognizes that cruise tourism contributes significantly to the development of the tourism industry, but also emphasizes that tourism development occurs on a sustainable basis and with respect for the local population, nature and wildlife.

Against this background, the Government of Greenland recommends that cruise ship navigation in fjord areas be avoided or limited as much as possible.

"The purpose of the recommendation is to limit the impact on vulnerable natural areas and wildlife, and to accommodate the wishes of the local population to preserve the areas' recreational values ​​and opportunities for hunting and fishing."

Statistics Greenland recently published new numbers for the population on the massive Arctic island.

According to the agency, there is a record high mid-year population.

On July 1st, 2026, 56.945 people lived in the country. That is 114 more than on April 1st this year.

20,384 people now live in Nuuk, which is 299 more than on the same day, last year.

The population statistics are based on data from the Central Population Register (CPR), which records all individuals who are officially registered as residents of Greenland at a given point in time.

"It should be noted that information about individuals who emigrate from the Kingdom of Denmark is often reported with a delay. Therefore, the number of foreign nationals in the statistics may be higher than the actual number," Statistics Greenland informs.

Norwegian Minister of Defense Tore O. Sandvik had his first telephone conversation with the new British Secretary of State for Defence, Wes Streeting, on Thursday,

During the telephone meeting, security challenges in the High North and closer defense cooperation were high on the agenda, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense reports in a press release.

"Norway and the United Kingdom have strong cultural, geographical and historical ties. Together we have stood shoulder to shoulder throughout the 77 years of NATO's existence. We are now well underway in expanding our already strong and close defense cooperation," says Norway's Minister of Defense Tore O. Sandvik, adding:

"Together we are strengthening NATO's defense flank in the Arctic and the High North to secure Norway and our allies in turbulent times."

One of the main topics discussed was the further strengthening of the strategic defence cooperation between the UK and Norway through the Lunna House Agreement. This was signed in December 2025 and is the most comprehensive defence cooperation agreement that Norway and the UK have entered into in recent times.

Sandvik and Streeting also spoke about the need for continued support for Ukraine and European contributions to NATO, and the North European security cooperation Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).

Canadian forces are now conducting Operation Nanook-Qimaavivut to enhance their ability to move personnel and equipment and provide operational support in the Arctic.

The operation, which will last until September, involves engineering reconnaissance and infrastructure assessments near Resolute Bay in Nunavut, survey of airfield conditions across the Canadian Arctic and site assessment salong the Labrador coast.

Information collected during the operation will support future operational planning and identify engineering, mobility, and sustainment requirements for conducting year-round operations in remote northern environments.

"Nanook-Qimaavivut is about enabling operations today and into the future. By improving access, mobility, and sustainment in challenging environments, we are improving how the CAF supports operations across the North while respecting local conditions and communities,” says Brigadier-General Marc Parent, Commander, Joint Task Force North.

The Norwegian frigate KNM Fridtjof Nansen is participating in a historic exercise off the east coast of the United States.

The exercise, called FLEETEX 250, is a US-led exercise with 31 vessels from 17 different allies and partner nations, the Norwegian Armed Forces states in a press release.

FLEETEX 250 is part of the U.S. Navy's 250th anniversary celebrations, highlighting the importance of maritime cooperation and the enduring commitment between allies and partner nations.

The exercise includes coordinated maneuvers at sea, communications exercises and training in information sharing routines. The scenarios are designed to strengthen cohesion and ensure the force is able to operate effectively together across the Atlantic and in the Arctic.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen (M) expects that there will be a solution before the end of the year, as a result of negotiations between the Danish-Greenlandic-American working group, which have been ongoing since January.

This is reported by the Danish newspaper Politiken, cited in, among other things, the Greenlandic Sermitsiaq.

Løkke Rasmussen estimates that there is a need for "a number of meetings", he tells Politiken.

Denmark, Greenland and the United States agreed in January to establish a working group to discuss the way forward.

Relations between Denmark and Greenland on the one hand, and the United States on the other, have been tense after US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to take over Greenland.

Norway is strengthening its presence in Greenland and will open a Consulate General in Nuuk to further develop cooperation with Greenland at a time when the Arctic is gaining increasing strategic importance.

That is stated in a press release.

"The High North remains Norway’s most important strategic priority, and the Arctic is becoming increasingly important for international politics and security. Greenland is a close partner for Norway, and a Consulate General in Nuuk will strengthen both political contact and cooperation on shared interests in the region," said Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

"A Consulate General in Nuuk will give us closer contact with the Greenlandic authorities, the business community and civil society. It will strengthen cooperation in areas where Norway and Greenland already share strong interests, such as fisheries, maritime affairs and Indigenous peoples’ issues. It will also give us better opportunities to develop new areas of cooperation in the years ahead," said Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

Norway has had an honorary consulate general in Nuuk since 1986.

On Friday 19 June, the Norwegian Coast Guard vessel KV Hopen will leave Bergen, Norway, to carry out Operation Arctic Cohesion 2026.

This is an extensive, international expedition that will strengthen cooperation between Arctic coast guards, the Norwegian Armed Forces states in a press release.

The voyage marks the start of a two-month expedition through the North Atlantic, during which Norway, together with partners in Iceland, the United States, Canada and Greenland, will carry out a number of activities, exercises and professional exchanges.

Operation Arctic Cohesion 2026 is a key part of the Arctic Coast Guard Forum (ACGF) collaboration, and will show how the coast guards in the Arctic cooperate in practice to safeguard safety, emergency preparedness and the environment in an increasingly active sea area.

"Security and emergency preparedness in the Arctic are created through practical cooperation. When coast guards from several nations train, sail and solve missions together, we strengthen our collective ability to ensure safety in some of the world's most demanding sea areas," says Deputy Commander of the Norwegian Coast Guard, Commander Ture Lehn.

Vice Admiral James Morley, Deputy Commander of NATO Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFC Norfolk), visited Sweden’s Northern Military Region from 7 to 9 June.

During the visit, the JFC Norfolk Deputy Commander gained first-hand insight into the operational environment of the High North - an area of growing strategic importance for the Alliance, a press release states.

The delegation, which also included Major General Stefan Sandborg, Deputy Chief of Joint Operations of the Swedish Armed Forces, visited eastern Norrbotten and the headquarters of the Northern Military Region in Boden.

There, military leaders met with representatives from Sweden’s North Civil Defence Region and Police Region North, highlighting the close cooperation between military and civilian authorities that forms the foundation of Sweden’s total defence concept.

"It has been valuable to see the progress made in integrating Sweden into the Alliance enterprise. Sweden's significant combat power and total defence concept - encapsulated brilliantly in the work at Regional Command North - adds significant capability to the Alliance," said Vice Admiral Morley.

"Sweden's stand-up of Forward Land Forces Finland and the transfer of authority to SACEUR marks another significant milestone and will further enhance NATO's defensive posture on the northern flank," he added.

A new survey from Indikator Opinion for the Swedish Radio channel P4 shows that only 1 in 5 Swedes would consider moving north for work if they were offered 100,000 Swedish kroner (appr. 10,000 USD) in relocation assistance, reports Sveriges Radio.

The survey was conducted among a random sample of Swedes over the age of 18 and 2,044 people responded.

One of the questions was: Would you consider moving to Northern Sweden to work if you were offered a relocation allowance of SEK 100,000?

22 percent answered yes, 40 percent answered no, 13 percent did not know, and for 25 percent the question was not applicable (i.e. do not work/already live in Northern Sweden).

High North News has previously reported that the Swedish government will investigate a relocation allowance to make it easier for the unemployed to move to other parts of the country, including Northern Sweden.