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Measurements on physical snow properties in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica
Get PDFIn this study, we present in situ measurements collected during the Finnish Antarctic Research Programme (FINNARP) 2022 expedition at the Finnish Aboa station, located in Dronning Maud Land, Western Antarctica, which is characterized by snow accumulation. Field observations were carried out weekly at the AWS5 automatic weather station, situated approximately 10 km from Aboa, as well as at selected overpass locations of the IceSat-2 and CryoSat-2 satellites. This paper presents data from the AWS5 site, where seasonal snow evolution was systematically monitored. The measurements included continuous meteorological observations from the weather station maintained by FINNARP, detailed snow pit profiles, ground-based and drone-based radiation measurements, and snow surface roughness observed using both drone-mounted and backpack-mounted laser scanners. Drone-based measurements enabled spatially extensive coverage using a laser scanner, a hyperspectral camera, and a pyranometer. Spatial variability of snow surface properties was assessed at five locations in addition to the primary snow pit. The collected dataset provides valuable insight for improving satellite remote sensing and for advancing our understanding of the relationships between albedo, surface roughness, and physical snow properties
Visions for the Future of West Greenlandic Regalia and Knowledge of Seal Skins
Get PDFSince the earliest colonial encounters in Greenland, place-based Inuit knowledge of seal skin processing has been applied and regenerated within a web of regional, national, and global relations. These relations have not only affected methods, materials and designs, but also shaped the societal role of women practicing these skills. This article examines contemporary kalaallisuut (West Greenlandic regalia) making by studying the experiences of its makers and identifying the everyday challenges affecting current practice. Nine semi-structured interviews and a review workshop revealed three main challenges: a lack of appropriate space in which to process seal skins; insufficient compensation; and knowledge-sharing issues. These challenges are examined by scrutinising their root causes, which are frequently connected to colonialism and coloniality; gender, racial, and class inequities; and economic challenges to nation-building. Ultimately, participants envisioned a communal space as a potential response to all three challenges.Since the earliest colonial encounters in Greenland, place-based Inuit knowledge of seal skin processing has been applied and regenerated within a web of regional, national, and global relations. These relations have not only affected methods, materials and designs, but also shaped the societal role of women practicing these skills. This article examines contemporary kalaallisuut (West Greenlandic regalia) making by studying the experiences of its makers and identifying the everyday challenges affecting current practice. Nine semi-structured interviews and a review workshop revealed three main challenges: a lack of appropriate space in which to process seal skins; insufficient compensation; and knowledge-sharing issues. These challenges are examined by scrutinising their root causes, which are frequently connected to colonialism and coloniality; gender, racial, and class inequities; and economic challenges to nation-building. Ultimately, participants envisioned a communal space as a potential response to all three challenges
Finland in the Arctic:from détente to defence
Get PDFThe Arctic region constitutes a major element in Finnish diplomacy and foreign policy. As Finland's security is directly linked to geopolitical changes in Northern Europe, Russia's full-scale attack on Ukraine in 2022 dramatically changed the country's foreign and security policy. Consequently, Finland joined NATO in April 2023. This chapter investigates how Finland's Arctic identity and interests are played out in international, regional and national contexts. It begins with an outline of Finland's history, policy and domestic debates concerning the Arctic. Then, the chapter discusses Finland's key security interests and defence cooperation frameworks, especially its relations with NATO, the Nordic states and the EU. Finally, it concludes that defence cooperation with Sweden, Norway, the UK and the United States will likely constitute Finland's key security framework in the Arctic context in the future
Short and long-term effects of interactivity in immersive virtual reality training for occupational safety
Get PDFImmersive virtual reality (IVR) has emerged as a promising tool for delivering effective training with versatile subject matters. Among these is occupational safety training (OST), where IVR may effectively promote employees’ active participation in the day-to-day development of safety, pivotal for reducing hazards and preventing accidents at work. The efficacy of IVR training is largely dependent on their implementation quality, and this in turn stands on the three pillars of VR: immersion, presence, and interactivity. This study investigates the effects of varying levels of learner-IVR interactivity on self-rated training outcomes on proactive safety behaviors and their antecedents. Data was collected on 68 participants during 22 training sessions conducted in real-world occupational settings at two separate organizations. Increased interactivity was shown to particularly improve the perceived control over safety issues and encourage proactive safety behaviors both in the short and long term. The results also show that IVR-based OST may support the development of consequence beliefs and intrinsic motivation related to safety and enhance the capability of making safety observations regardless of the interactivity level
"Buying Greenland is foolish" - or is it?
No full textGreenland's strategic significance drives U.S. Arctic policy, and Greenland continues to anchor Washington's influence in the regio