A Logistics Expert’s View on Arctic Policy: Second Essay in Artica Writings Series Now Available
Photo by: Ángel Valiente
Following the success of the first Artica Writings essay, we are pleased to announce the publication of the second piece in the series. This time, journalist Elida Høeg sits down with Jason Roberts, a veteran of Arctic logistics, to explore his three-decade journey in Svalbard and the evolving landscape of life and work in the High North.
The essay presents Roberts’ candid reflections on Norwegian Svalbard policy, increasing regulation of access to nature, and the shifting demographics of Longyearbyen. A former Australian stockbroker turned Arctic field expert, Roberts has become a key figure in international film productions, research expeditions, and Arctic logistics. His company, PolarX, has facilitated major projects ranging from David Attenborough’s BBC nature documentaries to large-scale Hollywood productions like Mission: Impossible. However, he warns that increasing bureaucracy is pushing work elsewhere.
"People don’t move here because we have cafés and galleries. They move here because we have nature. And when that’s taken away from them, they leave," Roberts says in the essay, critiquing what he sees as symbolic environmental policies that hinder both business and exploration.
His reflections also raise questions about the direction of Svalbard’s governance, particularly in the wake of efforts to ‘Norwegianise’ Longyearbyen. He observes how the transformation of the town into an administrative hub has altered its character, turning it into a short-term posting for Norwegian professionals rather than a place of long-term settlement.
At the heart of the essay is a broader discussion about who gets to shape the Arctic’s future, how policies impact the people who have built their lives here, and what it means to truly understand and engage with the region.
This Artica Writings series focuses on the personal stories of international residents in Svalbard. Unlike many Arctic regions, Svalbard has no indigenous population, with its 2,500 residents representing over 50 countries. Recent changes in Norwegian policies, outlined in the latest Svalbard white paper, are reshaping the region’s diverse international community. Led by journalist Elida Høeg, with photography by Ángel Valiente, the series explores how residents navigate these evolving policies and cultural dynamics. Published monthly, the seven essays will culminate in a 2025 publication marking the centenary of the Svalbard Treaty.
Read the full essay here.