12/10/2025 | Marcel Schütz

Tiny but globally significant – What algae beneath sea ice reveal about climate and food webs

Megan Lenss – With the Research Vessel in Antarctica – Photo: Megan Lenss’ photo archiveA new study led by PhD candidate Megan Lenss from Norway’s iC3 Polar Research Hub places previously overlooked organisms at the center of scientific attention: microscopic algae growing beneath Antarctic sea ice—

12/09/2025 | Heiner Kubny

Solar Eclipse 2026 – The North Takes Center Stage

The total solar eclipse in Adventdalen, Svalbard, on March 20, 2015. Totality in Longyearbyen lasts 2 minutes and 28 seconds. (Photo: Heiner Kubny)On August 12, 2026, the eyes of astronomers will turn to two regions that are usually far from major celestial events: Greenland and Iceland. A total sol

12/08/2025 | Rosamaria Kubny

Why Bowhead Whales Live for More Than 200 Years

The bowhead whale lives only in Arctic waters. It has a layer of blubber up to 70 cm thick, which protects it from the icy cold.With a lifespan of more than 200 years, bowhead whales are the Methuselahs of the animal kingdom, no other mammal lives longer. For a long time, researchers have puzzled ov

12/07/2025 | Heiner Kubny

“Shirase” Sets Course for Antarctica

On the morning of November 19, 2025, a special kind of magic lay over the Yokosuka Naval Base. The Japanese observation vessel Shirase was preparing to embark on its journey to Antarctica. More than 500 relatives and friends came to bid farewell. (Photo: JARE67 Miho Ikeda)On the morning of 19 Novemb

12/06/2025 | Heiner Kubny

Russian LNG tankers continue to use Norwegian ports for stopovers

LNG Merak is the second of four conventional gas tankers ordered in China. (Photo: Hudong-Zhonghua)Despite heightened geopolitical tensions and Western sanctions, Norway remains an important stopover point for LNG tankers transporting gas from the Russian Arctic. As the analysis portal High North Ne

12/05/2025 | Lisa Scherk

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, announced on 1 December 2025, is part of a political compromise tied to the 2026 state budget. No new licenses will be issued during the current legislative term, and public funding for seabed mineral ma

12/04/2025 | Heiner Kubny

Climate Change Puts Arctic Migratory Birds Under Time Pressure

Migratory birds such as the barnacle goose are increasingly struggling with timing. (Photo: Heiner Kubny)Climate change is altering the rhythm of nature, particularly noticeably in the Arctic. Spring now begins much earlier there than it did just a few decades ago. For many migratory bird species th

12/03/2025 | Heiner Kubny

How Underwater Eddies Threaten Antarctic Glaciers

Eddies of varying sizes form in all oceans. They have a significant influence on how heat and energy are transported within the ocean. (Image: NASA)Deep beneath the glassy surface of the oceans, a fascinating yet threatening spectacle unfolds. In the silent, dark depths where humans cannot reach, sw

12/02/2025 | Rosamaria Kubny

Massive Decline in Elephant Seals in South Georgia

The gestation period of elephant seals lasts around eleven months in total. This includes a three- to four-month embryonic diapause before the embryo resumes development. The actual pregnancy then lasts seven to eight months until the pup is born. (Photo: Keiner Kubny)New research findings from the

12/01/2025 | Polar Journal AG Team

A look behind the scenes of Polar Journal

Rosamaria and Heiner Kubny in the Zurich editorial officePolarJournal is taking off…For just over a month now, Rosamaria and Heiner Kubny, together with Marcel Schütz, have been running PolarJournal – a short but highly eventful period that has already brought us great joy.In fact, an enormous amoun

11/30/2025 | Heiner Kubny

Chile Studies Avian Influenza Virus in Antarctica

Sampling from a gentoo penguin colony. (Photo: INACH)In a globally unprecedented event for polar science and virology, a team of researchers from the University of Chile and the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) has, for the first time, successfully sequenced the complete genomes of the highly pat

11/29/2025 | Heiner Kubny

South Korea Is Investing Heavily in Building Arctic-Capable Ships

The LNG tanker “Christophe de Margerie” was built by DSME in South Korea and has the Russian ice class ARC7. The ship is capable of navigating the Northern Sea Route without the assistance of icebreakers. (Photo: SCF)The South Korean government is pushing its Arctic strategy forward: for the first t

Science

12/10/2025| Marcel Schütz

Tiny but globally significant – What algae beneath sea ice reveal about climate and food webs

Megan Lenss – With the Research Vessel in Antarctica – Photo: Megan Lenss’ photo archiveA new study led by PhD candidate Megan Lenss from Norway’s iC3 Polar Research Hub places previously overlooked organisms at the center of scientific attention: microscopic algae growing beneath Antarctic sea ice—

12/09/2025| Heiner Kubny

Solar Eclipse 2026 – The North Takes Center Stage

The total solar eclipse in Adventdalen, Svalbard, on March 20, 2015. Totality in Longyearbyen lasts 2 minutes and 28 seconds. (Photo: Heiner Kubny)On August 12, 2026, the eyes of astronomers will turn to two regions that are usually far from major celestial events: Greenland and Iceland. A total sol

12/08/2025| Rosamaria Kubny

Why Bowhead Whales Live for More Than 200 Years

The bowhead whale lives only in Arctic waters. It has a layer of blubber up to 70 cm thick, which protects it from the icy cold.With a lifespan of more than 200 years, bowhead whales are the Methuselahs of the animal kingdom, no other mammal lives longer. For a long time, researchers have puzzled ov

12/07/2025| Heiner Kubny

“Shirase” Sets Course for Antarctica

On the morning of November 19, 2025, a special kind of magic lay over the Yokosuka Naval Base. The Japanese observation vessel Shirase was preparing to embark on its journey to Antarctica. More than 500 relatives and friends came to bid farewell. (Photo: JARE67 Miho Ikeda)On the morning of 19 Novemb

12/05/2025| Lisa Scherk

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, announced on 1 December 2025, is part of a political compromise tied to the 2026 state budget. No new licenses will be issued during the current legislative term, and public funding for seabed mineral ma

12/04/2025| Heiner Kubny

Climate Change Puts Arctic Migratory Birds Under Time Pressure

Migratory birds such as the barnacle goose are increasingly struggling with timing. (Photo: Heiner Kubny)Climate change is altering the rhythm of nature, particularly noticeably in the Arctic. Spring now begins much earlier there than it did just a few decades ago. For many migratory bird species th

12/03/2025| Heiner Kubny

How Underwater Eddies Threaten Antarctic Glaciers

Eddies of varying sizes form in all oceans. They have a significant influence on how heat and energy are transported within the ocean. (Image: NASA)Deep beneath the glassy surface of the oceans, a fascinating yet threatening spectacle unfolds. In the silent, dark depths where humans cannot reach, sw

12/02/2025| Rosamaria Kubny

Massive Decline in Elephant Seals in South Georgia

The gestation period of elephant seals lasts around eleven months in total. This includes a three- to four-month embryonic diapause before the embryo resumes development. The actual pregnancy then lasts seven to eight months until the pup is born. (Photo: Keiner Kubny)New research findings from the

Politics

12/07/2025, Heiner Kubny

“Shirase” Sets Course for Antarctica

On the morning of November 19, 2025, a special kind of magic lay over the Yokosuka Naval Base. The Japanese observation vessel Shirase was preparing to embark on its journey to Antarctica. More than 500 relatives and friends came to bid farewell. (Photo: JARE67 Miho Ikeda)On the morning of 19 Novemb

12/06/2025, Heiner Kubny

Russian LNG tankers continue to use Norwegian ports for stopovers

LNG Merak is the second of four conventional gas tankers ordered in China. (Photo: Hudong-Zhonghua)Despite heightened geopolitical tensions and Western sanctions, Norway remains an important stopover point for LNG tankers transporting gas from the Russian Arctic. As the analysis portal High North Ne

12/05/2025, Lisa Scherk

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, announced on 1 December 2025, is part of a political compromise tied to the 2026 state budget. No new licenses will be issued during the current legislative term, and public funding for seabed mineral ma

11/29/2025, Heiner Kubny

South Korea Is Investing Heavily in Building Arctic-Capable Ships

The LNG tanker “Christophe de Margerie” was built by DSME in South Korea and has the Russian ice class ARC7. The ship is capable of navigating the Northern Sea Route without the assistance of icebreakers. (Photo: SCF)The South Korean government is pushing its Arctic strategy forward: for the first t

11/28/2025, Marcel Schütz

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. From Arctic hamlet to globally significant settlementOn the southwestern edge of Greenland, on the quiet Arsuk Fjord, lies Ivittuut – t

11/25/2025, Heiner Kubny

Atomflot sues Dutch shipping company

In March 2022, the Dutch company announced the suspension of work on all existing contracts with Russian customers.On 25 July 2025, Atomflot filed a lawsuit against the Dutch company Damen Shipyards Gorinchem B.V. with the Murmansk Region Arbitration Court, demanding the repayment of €12.6 million i

11/20/2025, Marcel Schütz

New Zealand and Switzerland Deepen Cooperation in Antarctic Research

Handover of the “Memorandum of Arrangement.” Photo: New Zealand EmbassyBern – This week, New Zealand’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Craig Hawke, handed over the Memorandum of Arrangement between Antarctica New Zealand and the Swiss Polar Institute to the President of the Swiss Polar Institute, Prof. F

11/17/2025, Heiner Kubny

Greenland seeks closer ties with the EU

Greenland is a politically self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The island is very sparsely populated, with approximately 56,200 inhabitants, or 0.026 inhabitants per square kilometre. (Photo: Heiner Kubny)Forty years after leaving the EEA, Greenland is seeking closer ties with the EU agai

Society

12/05/2025, Lisa Scherk

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, announced on 1 December 2025, is part of a political compromise tied to the 2026 state budget. No new licenses will be issued during the current legislative term, and public funding for seabed mineral ma

11/28/2025, Marcel Schütz

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. From Arctic hamlet to globally significant settlementOn the southwestern edge of Greenland, on the quiet Arsuk Fjord, lies Ivittuut – t

11/19/2025, Rosamaria Kubny

Greenlandic cuisine – Tørret Fisk

Tørret Fisk is a traditional dish that captures the essence of Nordic cuisine. The fish is carefully dried to concentrate its flavors and create a unique texture. Served with a selection of fresh herbs and spices, this dish offers a harmonious blend of salty, spicy, and fresh notes — a true delight

11/17/2025, Heiner Kubny

Greenland seeks closer ties with the EU

Greenland is a politically self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The island is very sparsely populated, with approximately 56,200 inhabitants, or 0.026 inhabitants per square kilometre. (Photo: Heiner Kubny)Forty years after leaving the EEA, Greenland is seeking closer ties with the EU agai

11/07/2025, Rosamaria Kubny

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. The Global Seed Vault on Svalbard. It is opened about three times a year t

07/30/2025, Dr. Michael Wenger

Tsunami warnings for Alaskan islands after 8.8-earthquake

After the strongest earthquake recorded this year near the Russian Kamchatka Peninsula, tsunami warnings were issued from Alaska all the way through the Pacific to New Zealand and even East Antarctica.The red marker shows the site of the earthquake and the Alaskan chain of islands from Attu to the A

06/26/2025, Gastautor

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

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. For more than 20 years, a school science research contest challenges students and from

06/09/2025, Dr. Irene Quaile-Kersken

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

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. As the first ever UN conference on glaciers opens in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, a new scientific study shows glaciers are even more sensi

Culture

12/05/2025, Lisa Scherk

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, announced on 1 December 2025, is part of a political compromise tied to the 2026 state budget. No new licenses will be issued during the current legislative term, and public funding for seabed mineral ma

11/19/2025, Rosamaria Kubny

Greenlandic cuisine – Tørret Fisk

Tørret Fisk is a traditional dish that captures the essence of Nordic cuisine. The fish is carefully dried to concentrate its flavors and create a unique texture. Served with a selection of fresh herbs and spices, this dish offers a harmonious blend of salty, spicy, and fresh notes — a true delight

08/19/2025, Mirjana Binggeli

The polar bear, an emblematic subject of culture

Almost a fetish animal for scientists, a star attraction on Arctic cruises and a global climate icon, the polar bear goes far beyond its role as a symbolic species. From Inuit mythology to tales of exploration, from traditional sculpture to contemporary advertising, the polar bear has never ceased t

06/27/2025, Mirjana Binggeli

Whalers’ Memory Bank: When Former Whalers Tell Their Story

A new project launching this week in Dundee brings together long-lost stories, photos and personal artefacts from Scottish whaling communities, not to glorify the industry, but to preserve its human history.Everyday objects, family photos, logbooks, and personal mementos come together in the Whalers

06/20/2025, Mirjana Binggeli

NONAM celebrates summer solstice with Indigenous circumpolar cultures

Join us this Sunday, June 22 at NONAM. The Zurich-based museum welcomes Indigenous artists, creators, and representatives from the Yukon and Norway for a day of festivities and intercultural dialogue. Join the NONAM this Sunday, June 22. The Zurich-based museum welcomes Indigenous artists, creators,

06/13/2025, Mirjana Binggeli

PIQSIQ delves into Inuit ‘Legends’

Inuit throat-singing duo PIQSIQ release their new album. Aptly titled Legends, this new work immerses listeners in the world of traditional Inuit storytelling. The PIQSIQ duo is Kayley Inuksuk Mackay (left) and Tiffany Kuliktana Ayalik (right). Photo: Inuksuk Mackay After completing their first Eur

05/13/2025, Polar Journal AG Team

ILLU Science and Art Hub, a place for scientists, artists and locals

Siri Veland (geographer), Skade Henriksen (artist), Anna Lindal (artist), and Marie Stougaard Østertorn (student and activist) explain the concept behind the Ilulissat Art and Science Hub. We open the doors to this anchor point, which marks the end of our series in this Greenlandic town. The sun dog

04/23/2025, Dr. Michael Wenger

The Herds’ Epic Migration Towards an Arctic Reckoning

A unique herd of African wildlife is currently moving from the Congo to the Arctic circle in an attempt not only to highlight the global effect of climate change but also to renew the bond between humans and nature. An unprecedented procession has started to traverse the globe currently, not of fles

Economy

12/06/2025, Heiner Kubny

Russian LNG tankers continue to use Norwegian ports for stopovers

LNG Merak is the second of four conventional gas tankers ordered in China. (Photo: Hudong-Zhonghua)Despite heightened geopolitical tensions and Western sanctions, Norway remains an important stopover point for LNG tankers transporting gas from the Russian Arctic. As the analysis portal High North Ne

12/05/2025, Lisa Scherk

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, announced on 1 December 2025, is part of a political compromise tied to the 2026 state budget. No new licenses will be issued during the current legislative term, and public funding for seabed mineral ma

11/29/2025, Heiner Kubny

South Korea Is Investing Heavily in Building Arctic-Capable Ships

The LNG tanker “Christophe de Margerie” was built by DSME in South Korea and has the Russian ice class ARC7. The ship is capable of navigating the Northern Sea Route without the assistance of icebreakers. (Photo: SCF)The South Korean government is pushing its Arctic strategy forward: for the first t

11/28/2025, Marcel Schütz

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. From Arctic hamlet to globally significant settlementOn the southwestern edge of Greenland, on the quiet Arsuk Fjord, lies Ivittuut – t

11/21/2025, Lisa Scherk

Deep-Sea Mining in the Arctic: Opportunity for the Energy Transition – or Threat to a Fragile Ecosystem?

AI-generated autonomous underwater vehicle in the deep seaThe Arctic holds mineral resources that are becoming increasingly important for a climate-friendly future. Against this backdrop, Norway faces a decision with far-reaching consequences: Should it open its Arctic deep-sea areas for the extract

11/16/2025, Heiner Kubny

Russia withdraws from the Barents Sea Agreement

Fish of the cod family range from 15 centimeters to two meters in length. Cod is also an important food fish.The Barents Sea faces the threat of an environmental disaster following the potential collapse of the fisheries agreement between Norway and Russia. In July 2025, the Norwegian government, fo

11/12/2025, Marcel Schütz

New Russian-Chinese Collaboration in the Polar Regions

Russia and China will train Specialists for Maritime Navigation in Polar RegionsHangzhou, November 4, 2025 – Russia and China will jointly train specialists for navigation in polar waters, according to a memorandum signed during Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s visit to China, the Russian

11/11/2025, Heiner Kubny

Precious metal production in Chukotka continues to grow

The most important industry in Chukotka is the mining of precious metals.Chukotka is a remote region in north-eastern Russia, home to several large gold mines. The region is known for its harsh climate and difficult living conditions. The traditional industries of the Chukchi and other indigenous et

Tourism

11/24/2025, Marcel Schütz

Dani Arnold achieves the first winter ascent of the Tarantellen in Svalbard

Tarantellen on Svalbard – Photo: Marcel SchützA medical emergency, a spontaneous change of plans, and a striking rock formation in one of the most remote corners of the Arctic: Swiss extreme mountaineer Dani Arnold has written a new chapter in his adventure career with an extraordinary winter ascent

11/07/2025, Rosamaria Kubny

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. The Global Seed Vault on Svalbard. It is opened about three times a year t

08/18/2025, Dr. Michael Wenger

The Polar Retrospective – Subantarctic Visitor Changes, a 66-Year-Old Mystery Solved, and a Warning for Reindeer

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world’s polar regions. This week we take a look at new regulations on subantarctic islands for visitors, the solution to a 66-year old Antarctic mystery, and a grim outlook for reindeer populations due to the changing climate.The changi

08/12/2025, Dr. Michael Wenger

Launch of New South Georgia Entry Permit System Halted

The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands had planned to implement a new ETA system for visitors but had to delay these plans now. The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) has announced a last-minute postponement of its new Electronic Entry Permit sy

07/10/2025, Gastautor

More and more tourists are flocking to Antarctica. Let’s stop it from being loved to death

Professors Darla Hatton MacDonald and Elizabeth Leane explain how new market based tools can help to prevent overtourism in Antarctica in this article provided by The Conversation. Space for tourists and wildlife is limited even te seemingly vast wilderness of Antarctica. (Image: Michael Wenger)Darl

03/26/2025, Camille Lin

“Is there a lack of awareness of the risks associated with outdoor activity?”

The absence of an insurance offer adapted to polar operators linked to France is felt by professionals in the sector who responded to a survey by the Chaire Enjeux Polaires.Customers and polar guides take turns looking after the itinerant camps on Arctic excursions. Image: Julia HagerAvalanches, bea

03/19/2025, Gastautor

Tourism in Greenland: a fragile balance, an update after the elections

In an article for Polar Journal AG, Marie-Noëlle Rimaud advocates “finding a way out from the top, through intelligence”. The lecturer and researcher in tourism economics and management calls for the development of a win-win strategy between foreign investors in the tourism sector and the island’s i

03/13/2025, Dr. Michael Wenger

Adult-Themed Cruise to Antarctica: Theme Park Tourism or Isolated Incident?

An unusual event in Antarctic tourism unfolded in January 2025, prompting discussions about the evolving nature of travel to this unique region. The expedition vessel of a well-known cruise line was fully chartered by a travel agency to host an “adult-themed” voyage, marketed as the “7th Continent A

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