The Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) acknowledges the recent announcement from the Arctic Ice Project (formerly known as Ice911 Research) regarding the conclusion of its geoengineering project. While the ending of this project is an absolute milestone, we must also highlight the serious ethical violations committed by this project, particularly the lack of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) from Indigenous communities.
The right to FPIC, as outlined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), is crucial in ensuring that Indigenous Peoples can provide or withhold consent regarding projects affecting their territories. Despite our repeated calls for transparency and respect—culminating in a signed letter in 2022, a demonstration against their fundraising efforts, and disruptions of their workshops—we saw the Arctic Ice Project proceed with their research without engaging local Indigenous communities adequately. Although they claimed their outdoor experiments ended, they had already spread football fields of their hazardous materials on a lake outside Utqiagvik, an Arctic Inuit territory in so-called Alaska. Community members shared that Indigenous students from the local community College were instructed by researchers to spread the materials. This is a health and safety concern for any local community members exposed to the materials.
Aakaluk, Adrienne Blatchford, IEN Geoengineering Outreach Organizer
The announcement of the AIP closing their studies is a small big win- a collective act of resistance by Indigenous Grassroots movements with the support of Climate Justice Allies. I am hoping the halt of this project continues to set precedence and causes a shift in Western science-based false solutions to help the decision-makers understand that the only real way to end climate disasters is divestment from extractive industry and accountability for stakeholders who support the military-industrial complex. It is time for an Indigenous Led Just Transition with nature-based solutions. This is a reminder that we, as rights-holders do not require validation from the outside world to know what is best for our biodiverse ecosystems.
Douglas Causey, PhD. University of Alaska Anchorage
It is with relief that we learn that this project is now canceled, an outcome that was clearly obvious on the first reading of the proposed activities. It was clear to me, and many other Arctic researchers, that the "Arctic Ice" was based on minimal science, did not consider the ecological and health aspects to Arctic environment and residents, and lacked a clear rationale for its approach. But I feel that the most egregious aspect of this was the complete lack of interaction with local Indigenous people on this approach and use, and I worked hard to build awareness among colleagues on this non-collaborative partnering with those who would be most affected. Many aspects of the project were not well considered and the lack of engagement with those who have used and relied on the ice environment for their community subsistence for thousands of years was the most grievous error over all.
Siqiniq Maupin, Inupiaq activist & former director of SILA
The breaking news brings light in uncertain times. The Arctic Ice Project was a direct threat to not just Alaskan Native ways of life, but the ecosystem as a whole. I hope to celebrate this win but not forget, that these types of false solutions to the climate crisis are going to become more prevalent as our administration steps even further away from science and ethical practices. The true solution to the climate crisis is not a bandaid fix or manipulating the world around us, but addressing the crisis of nationalism and white supremacy that dominates our energy plans and moral compass in one of the most powerful countries in the world.
Insaaqen (Karen Pungowiyi), Indigenous Grandmother from St Lawrence Island
I was blessed to be born and raised in Sivuungak on the Island of Sivuuqaq. (Savoonga, Alaska). I was so pleased to hear the cessation of AIP. I have great concerns for our way of life as the Arctic is a hemispheric sink for toxins, chemicals and other garbage from around the world. [We] will continue to work to protect the Arctic and the environment. It is critical that we continue to work together towards a clean world.
Community members were asked to share their opinions regarding geoengineering experiments and FPIC in a series of interviews and focus groups conducted across three arctic communities. The thematic areas of concern identified by Arctic community respondents reflect alarm over geoengineering practices like those employed by the Arctic Ice Project.
Key issues include:
- Health Risks: The use of toxic materials raised serious health concerns for both the environment and Indigenous Peoples who rely on the land and sea for subsistence. The introduction of synthetic materials, such as silica microspheres, has not been sufficiently studied for its long-term impacts, particularly on vulnerable populations.
- Environmental Integrity: The unproven technology did not account for real-life environmental factors, such as the potential for these materials to be dispersed by Arctic storms, posing risks to ecosystems and wildlife critical to Indigenous lifestyles.
- Lack of Consultation: There had been no formal, publicized consultation with tribal governments or Indigenous rights groups, leading to widespread distrust and dissatisfaction among those most affected by the project.
- Distraction from Effective Solutions: Funding for untested geoengineering technologies diverts resources and attention from proven strategies that prioritize sustainability and the well-being of Indigenous communities.
Many of these concerns were highlighted in a letter (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G5b-MSKyV5cI96lyBV140jhyfE-SaPTEt85aVZC5TjM/mobilebasic) written to Arctic Ice Project in 2022, as concerned Inuit community members flied down to Menlo Park, CA to share their concerns with the project and its supporters at a Fundraising Event (https://www.ienearth.org/alaska-natives-excluded-from-fundraiser-event-for-risky-science-experiment-in-arctic/)
As we move forward, IEN remains dedicated to advocating for ethical practices in environmental research and the rights of Indigenous Peoples. We call on all stakeholders to engage in genuine dialogue and to uphold the principles of FPIC in any projects that may affect our lands and communities.
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