Mapping ice in the Norwegian Arctic - on the edge between science and policy

In the Norwegian Arctic, petroleum exploration is prohibited north of the ice edge (the zone between solid sea ice and open ocean); the mapping and definition of the ice edge becomes the boundary for petroleum exploration. However, no evidence-based scientifically 'correct' position of the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Landscape research 2021-02, Vol.46 (2), p.167-181
Main Authors: Bay-Larsen, Ingrid, Bjørndal, T. G., Hermansen, E. A. T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
critical cartography
Crustaceans
Ice edge
Mapping
Oil and gas exploration
Oil exploration
Petroleum
Polar environments
Sea ice
STS
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Summary:In the Norwegian Arctic, petroleum exploration is prohibited north of the ice edge (the zone between solid sea ice and open ocean); the mapping and definition of the ice edge becomes the boundary for petroleum exploration. However, no evidence-based scientifically 'correct' position of the ice edge exists. Defining the ice edge-and its geographic positioning-is the result of co-production processes involving multiple actors and practices. We explore how the use of a new dataset for determining the geographical position of the ice edge became the centre of a proxy debate over how far north petroleum exploration should be allowed. The analysis reveals how maps serve as visual discourses in debate, and a strong correlation between different definitions of the ice edge and political commitment to petroleum activities. We challenge and discuss the performativity of maps and how mismatches between expectations to knowledge-based management, including maps, may have democratic implications.
ISSN:0142-6397
1469-9710
DOI:10.1080/01426397.2020.1740664