NPR Series: The Pull Of The Arctic https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=787944427 As the melting Arctic surfaces transit routes and resources, NPR takes an in-depth look at the region. en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 05:18:33 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR Series: The Pull Of The Arctic https://www.npr.org/series/787944427/the-pull-of-the-arctic A Mayor In Norway's Arctic Looks To China To Reinvent His Frontier Town Melting ice means ships are plowing along polar lanes, so Rune Rafaelsen wants Chinese investors to help turn the small town of Kirkenes into a major logistics hub. But doubters abound. Sat, 18 Jan 2020 10:39:34 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2020/01/18/796288234/a-mayor-in-norways-arctic-looks-to-china-to-reinvent-his-frontier-town https://www.npr.org/2020/01/18/796288234/a-mayor-in-norways-arctic-looks-to-china-to-reinvent-his-frontier-town

Melting ice means ships are plowing along polar lanes, so Rune Rafaelsen wants Chinese investors to help turn the small town of Kirkenes into a major logistics hub. But doubters abound.

(Image credit: Claire Harbage)

]]> Jackie Northam In A Warming Greenland, A Farming Family Adapts To Drought — And New Opportunities Kunuk Nielsen and his brother Pilu grew up on a sheep farm in southern Greenland. Kunuk has decided to remain on the farm. Pilu gives helicopter tours to visitors, who are arriving in greater numbers. Sat, 07 Dec 2019 08:01:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2019/12/07/784557923/in-a-warming-greenland-a-farming-family-adapts-to-drought-and-new-opportunities https://www.npr.org/2019/12/07/784557923/in-a-warming-greenland-a-farming-family-adapts-to-drought-and-new-opportunities

Kunuk Nielsen and his brother Pilu grew up on a sheep farm in southern Greenland. Kunuk has decided to remain on the farm. Pilu gives helicopter tours to visitors, who are arriving in greater numbers.

(Image credit: Claire Harbage)

]]> Jackie Northam Greenland Is Not For Sale. But It Has Rare Earth Minerals America Wants The Arctic island has a wealth of rare earth resources that the U.S. has labeled as essential to national defense. Sun, 24 Nov 2019 08:00:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2019/11/24/781598549/greenland-is-not-for-sale-but-it-has-the-rare-earth-minerals-america-wants https://www.npr.org/2019/11/24/781598549/greenland-is-not-for-sale-but-it-has-the-rare-earth-minerals-america-wants

The Arctic island has a wealth of rare earth resources that the U.S. has labeled as essential to national defense.

(Image credit: Claire Harbage)

]]> Jackie Northam A Tiny Thai Restaurant In Remote Greenland Serves Up Spice (And Whale Skin Soup) When Suriya Paprajong arrived in Greenland in 2001, he didn't even have a coat. These days, his eatery in Qaqortoq, population 3,000, is a local favorite, melding Thai flavors with an Arctic twist. Wed, 13 Nov 2019 15:11:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/11/13/778626580/a-tiny-thai-restaurant-in-remote-greenland-serves-up-spice-and-whale-skin-soup https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/11/13/778626580/a-tiny-thai-restaurant-in-remote-greenland-serves-up-spice-and-whale-skin-soup

When Suriya Paprajong arrived in Greenland in 2001, he didn't even have a coat. These days, his eatery in Qaqortoq, population 3,000, is a local favorite, melding Thai flavors with an Arctic twist.

(Image credit: Claire Harbage)

]]> Jackie Northam In A Remote Arctic Outpost, Norway Keeps Watch On Russia's Military Buildup Warmer weather up north is opening up shipping lanes and new access to natural resources. It's also fueling a military buildup. Sun, 03 Nov 2019 08:41:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2019/11/03/775155057/in-a-remote-arctic-outpost-norway-keeps-watch-on-russias-military-buildup https://www.npr.org/2019/11/03/775155057/in-a-remote-arctic-outpost-norway-keeps-watch-on-russias-military-buildup

Warmer weather up north is opening up shipping lanes and new access to natural resources. It's also fueling a military buildup.

(Image credit: Claire Harbage)

]]> Jackie Northam