cryopolitics
@cryopolitics.com
Associate Professor of Geography at the University of Washington
Arctic geopolitics / critical remote sensing / infrastructure / satellites / skiing ⛷️
Arctic geopolitics / critical remote sensing / infrastructure / satellites / skiing ⛷️
Pinned
cryopolitics
@cryopolitics.com
· Sep 23
Unfrozen by Mia Bennett, Klaus Dodds | Waterstones
Buy Unfrozen by Mia Bennett, Klaus Dodds from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.
www.waterstones.com
Now published! 📢
'Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the #Arctic'
Co-authored with @klausdodds.bsky.social, our new book on northern geopolitical & ecological change is out today in the UK. Available in the US from 21 Oct.
www.waterstones.com/book/unfroze... #geopolitics #books 🧪
'Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the #Arctic'
Co-authored with @klausdodds.bsky.social, our new book on northern geopolitical & ecological change is out today in the UK. Available in the US from 21 Oct.
www.waterstones.com/book/unfroze... #geopolitics #books 🧪
In my latest blog inspired by #ArtemisII, I argue that our capacity to bear witness to space exploration by looking up at the stars distinguishes it from polar exploration, which always takes place outside of humanity's collective field of view. 🚀🌘🌎 #Arctic www.cryopolitics.com/2026/04/07/a... 🧪
Artemis II brings the world together in space – and closer to the Moon's south pole - CRYOPOLITICS
Our capacity to bear witness to space exploration by looking up at the stars distinguishes it from polar exploration, which is always hidden from view.
www.cryopolitics.com
April 7, 2026 at 9:03 PM
In my latest blog inspired by #ArtemisII, I argue that our capacity to bear witness to space exploration by looking up at the stars distinguishes it from polar exploration, which always takes place outside of humanity's collective field of view. 🚀🌘🌎 #Arctic www.cryopolitics.com/2026/04/07/a... 🧪
Reposted by cryopolitics
Thank you to @cryopolitics.com for an awesome tour of San Francisco's Arctic and Alaskan connections
Chasing whales, distracted by gold, building a commercial hub out of shipwrecks, just out of reach from Russia
#AAG2026
Chasing whales, distracted by gold, building a commercial hub out of shipwrecks, just out of reach from Russia
#AAG2026
March 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Thank you to @cryopolitics.com for an awesome tour of San Francisco's Arctic and Alaskan connections
Chasing whales, distracted by gold, building a commercial hub out of shipwrecks, just out of reach from Russia
#AAG2026
Chasing whales, distracted by gold, building a commercial hub out of shipwrecks, just out of reach from Russia
#AAG2026
Call for abstracts – RGS-IBG 2026 @rgsibg.bsky.social (1-4 Sept, London)
Human Presence Beyond Earth: Critical Geographies of Outer Space 🧑🚀
Full CfP: shorturl.at/1LL4Y 🧪 #geography #outerspace #artemis #artemisII @nasaspaceflight.com
Human Presence Beyond Earth: Critical Geographies of Outer Space 🧑🚀
Full CfP: shorturl.at/1LL4Y 🧪 #geography #outerspace #artemis #artemisII @nasaspaceflight.com
February 5, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Call for abstracts – RGS-IBG 2026 @rgsibg.bsky.social (1-4 Sept, London)
Human Presence Beyond Earth: Critical Geographies of Outer Space 🧑🚀
Full CfP: shorturl.at/1LL4Y 🧪 #geography #outerspace #artemis #artemisII @nasaspaceflight.com
Human Presence Beyond Earth: Critical Geographies of Outer Space 🧑🚀
Full CfP: shorturl.at/1LL4Y 🧪 #geography #outerspace #artemis #artemisII @nasaspaceflight.com
Reposted by cryopolitics
“What Trump is after is an expansion of American territory that would make him a historic president.”
@alimacewen.bsky.social is joined by @cryopolitics.com to examine Greenland’s complex history and her views on the reasons behind US threats of annexation.
www.landclimate.org/us-greenland/
@alimacewen.bsky.social is joined by @cryopolitics.com to examine Greenland’s complex history and her views on the reasons behind US threats of annexation.
www.landclimate.org/us-greenland/
What does the US really see in Greenland? - Land and Climate Review
Alasdair is joined by returning guest and co-author of “Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the Arctic,” Mia Bennett, to discuss the Greenland crisis.
www.landclimate.org
January 30, 2026 at 5:09 PM
“What Trump is after is an expansion of American territory that would make him a historic president.”
@alimacewen.bsky.social is joined by @cryopolitics.com to examine Greenland’s complex history and her views on the reasons behind US threats of annexation.
www.landclimate.org/us-greenland/
@alimacewen.bsky.social is joined by @cryopolitics.com to examine Greenland’s complex history and her views on the reasons behind US threats of annexation.
www.landclimate.org/us-greenland/
Call for Papers: @rgsibg.bsky.social | London | 1-4 September 2026
Investigating the geopolitics of private satellite infrastructure: new pathways for connectivity and conflict
Full CfP: docs.google.com/document/d/1... 🧪 #satellites #geography #Starlink
Investigating the geopolitics of private satellite infrastructure: new pathways for connectivity and conflict
Full CfP: docs.google.com/document/d/1... 🧪 #satellites #geography #Starlink
January 29, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Call for Papers: @rgsibg.bsky.social | London | 1-4 September 2026
Investigating the geopolitics of private satellite infrastructure: new pathways for connectivity and conflict
Full CfP: docs.google.com/document/d/1... 🧪 #satellites #geography #Starlink
Investigating the geopolitics of private satellite infrastructure: new pathways for connectivity and conflict
Full CfP: docs.google.com/document/d/1... 🧪 #satellites #geography #Starlink
Blog: Last summer, I ran 45 km to & from #Ilulissat, #Greenland🇬🇱, which is expanding its airport to accommodate jet planes. But as I found, the renovations to the iceberg city's #infrastructure are choking the tundra in dust. ✈️🧊
Read on: www.cryopolitics.com/2026/01/18/t... #airport #trailrunning🧪
Read on: www.cryopolitics.com/2026/01/18/t... #airport #trailrunning🧪
Turning tundra to tarmac, Ilulissat pursues Arctic airport ambitions - CRYOPOLITICS
When I ran 45 kilometers to and from Ilulissat to Oqaatsut, the tundra crunched underfoot. That's because the iceberg city's runway expansion is covering the tundra in dust.
www.cryopolitics.com
January 19, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Blog: Last summer, I ran 45 km to & from #Ilulissat, #Greenland🇬🇱, which is expanding its airport to accommodate jet planes. But as I found, the renovations to the iceberg city's #infrastructure are choking the tundra in dust. ✈️🧊
Read on: www.cryopolitics.com/2026/01/18/t... #airport #trailrunning🧪
Read on: www.cryopolitics.com/2026/01/18/t... #airport #trailrunning🧪
Reposted by cryopolitics
My review, for @newrepublic.com, of @klausdodds.bsky.social & Mia Bennett's (@cryopolitics.com), Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the Arctic. W/ discussion of Greenland & the wider geopolitical context. It's an excellent book & one that could not be more timely.
newrepublic.com/article/2051...
newrepublic.com/article/2051...
Trump’s Greenland Threats and the Plunder of the Arctic
The far north has long been a region of exceptional international cooperation. But Trump’s designs on Greenland come at a time of growing instability.
newrepublic.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:26 PM
My review, for @newrepublic.com, of @klausdodds.bsky.social & Mia Bennett's (@cryopolitics.com), Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the Arctic. W/ discussion of Greenland & the wider geopolitical context. It's an excellent book & one that could not be more timely.
newrepublic.com/article/2051...
newrepublic.com/article/2051...
📢 New article: Holding up the skies: Is #Starlink occupying Low Earth Orbit?'
We calculate that the megaconstellation, which forms a privately-owned planetary infrastructure, equals
→ 52% of all mass in LEO 🛰️
→ 75% of all mass launched LEO btw 2019-2023 🚀
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
We calculate that the megaconstellation, which forms a privately-owned planetary infrastructure, equals
→ 52% of all mass in LEO 🛰️
→ 75% of all mass launched LEO btw 2019-2023 🚀
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Holding up the skies: is Starlink occupying low Earth orbit?
Starlink is occupying low Earth orbit (LEO) with thousands of small satellites, which provide global high-speed internet. We calculate that the privately owned megaconstellation, which we contend f...
www.tandfonline.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:42 AM
📢 New article: Holding up the skies: Is #Starlink occupying Low Earth Orbit?'
We calculate that the megaconstellation, which forms a privately-owned planetary infrastructure, equals
→ 52% of all mass in LEO 🛰️
→ 75% of all mass launched LEO btw 2019-2023 🚀
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
We calculate that the megaconstellation, which forms a privately-owned planetary infrastructure, equals
→ 52% of all mass in LEO 🛰️
→ 75% of all mass launched LEO btw 2019-2023 🚀
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by cryopolitics
Meanwhile, the Iranian regime continues its nationwide blackout. Iran has now been effectively offline for over 12 hours, with national connectivity down to ~1% of normal levels. Yet, with the help of Starlink, footage comes out of Iran here and then.
January 9, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Meanwhile, the Iranian regime continues its nationwide blackout. Iran has now been effectively offline for over 12 hours, with national connectivity down to ~1% of normal levels. Yet, with the help of Starlink, footage comes out of Iran here and then.
Blog: While Trump raises fears of Russian and Chinese ships swarming #Greenland, the island's residents fear the much more real possibility of American ships swarming the world's largest island.
www.cryopolitics.com/.../after-ve... #Arctic #geopolitics 🧪
www.cryopolitics.com/.../after-ve... #Arctic #geopolitics 🧪
After Venezuela, will Greenland be next to fall in the Western Hemisphere? - CRYOPOLITICS
While Trump raises fears of Russian and Chinese ships swarming Greenland, the island's residents fear the much realer possibility of American ships.
www.cryopolitics.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:22 AM
Blog: While Trump raises fears of Russian and Chinese ships swarming #Greenland, the island's residents fear the much more real possibility of American ships swarming the world's largest island.
www.cryopolitics.com/.../after-ve... #Arctic #geopolitics 🧪
www.cryopolitics.com/.../after-ve... #Arctic #geopolitics 🧪
Not exactly bedtime listening these days, but the audiobook of 'Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the #Arctic' is now out. 🎧🧊🧪 @klausdodds.bsky.social & I were delighted to secure award-winning Canadian narrator Senn Annis to bring our writing off to life. rbmediaglobal.com/audiobook/97...
RBmedia | Unfrozen
Listen to the audiobook Unfrozen, written by Klaus Dodds;Mia Bennett, narrated by Senn Annis.
rbmediaglobal.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Not exactly bedtime listening these days, but the audiobook of 'Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the #Arctic' is now out. 🎧🧊🧪 @klausdodds.bsky.social & I were delighted to secure award-winning Canadian narrator Senn Annis to bring our writing off to life. rbmediaglobal.com/audiobook/97...
Last blog post of 2025 recalling one of the year's highlights: seeing my first polar bear.
I'd long wanted to chance upon the #Arctic's apex predator. Finally, while snowmobiling across #Svalbard in May, I saw one where I least expected it. 🐻❄️ 🧪
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/12/28/f... #polarbear
I'd long wanted to chance upon the #Arctic's apex predator. Finally, while snowmobiling across #Svalbard in May, I saw one where I least expected it. 🐻❄️ 🧪
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/12/28/f... #polarbear
Following in the paw prints of the polar bear - CRYOPOLITICS
I'd always wanted to see a polar bear serendipitously. Finally, while snowmobiling across Svalbard, I came upon one where I least expected it.
www.cryopolitics.com
December 28, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Last blog post of 2025 recalling one of the year's highlights: seeing my first polar bear.
I'd long wanted to chance upon the #Arctic's apex predator. Finally, while snowmobiling across #Svalbard in May, I saw one where I least expected it. 🐻❄️ 🧪
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/12/28/f... #polarbear
I'd long wanted to chance upon the #Arctic's apex predator. Finally, while snowmobiling across #Svalbard in May, I saw one where I least expected it. 🐻❄️ 🧪
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/12/28/f... #polarbear
The #Arctic is perceived as a future military theatre. But while war rages to the south, it has become a safe haven for refugees from #Ukraine and beyond.
New blog post drawing on fieldwork in Vardø with @riaadams.bsky.social @infranortherc.bsky.social
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/12/19/f... 🧪
New blog post drawing on fieldwork in Vardø with @riaadams.bsky.social @infranortherc.bsky.social
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/12/19/f... 🧪
For Ukrainians in Vardø, the Arctic is a refuge, not a battleground - CRYOPOLITICS
The Arctic is often perceived as a future battleground. But it has actually become a safe haven for refugees from Ukraine and beyond.
www.cryopolitics.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:21 AM
The #Arctic is perceived as a future military theatre. But while war rages to the south, it has become a safe haven for refugees from #Ukraine and beyond.
New blog post drawing on fieldwork in Vardø with @riaadams.bsky.social @infranortherc.bsky.social
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/12/19/f... 🧪
New blog post drawing on fieldwork in Vardø with @riaadams.bsky.social @infranortherc.bsky.social
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/12/19/f... 🧪
For many remote #Arctic communities, #Starlink is the obvious choice for satellite internet. But #Greenland, wary of the US, is turning to European alternatives. Meanwhile, China and Russia’s military-industrial complexes are linking arms.
More on my blog: www.cryopolitics.com/2025/12/04/a...
More on my blog: www.cryopolitics.com/2025/12/04/a...
As Greenland rejects Starlink, China and Russia tighten military ties - CRYOPOLITICS
For remote Arctic communities, Starlink is the obvious choice for internet. But Greenland, wary of the US, is turning to European alternatives.
www.cryopolitics.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:35 AM
For many remote #Arctic communities, #Starlink is the obvious choice for satellite internet. But #Greenland, wary of the US, is turning to European alternatives. Meanwhile, China and Russia’s military-industrial complexes are linking arms.
More on my blog: www.cryopolitics.com/2025/12/04/a...
More on my blog: www.cryopolitics.com/2025/12/04/a...
Super cool to come across this Vantor (formerly Maxar) WorldView image of the NISAR (NASA - ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite in orbit. A satellite taking a picture of a satellite – very meta... 🛰️
www.linkedin.com/posts/tien-n...
www.linkedin.com/posts/tien-n...
October 22, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Super cool to come across this Vantor (formerly Maxar) WorldView image of the NISAR (NASA - ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite in orbit. A satellite taking a picture of a satellite – very meta... 🛰️
www.linkedin.com/posts/tien-n...
www.linkedin.com/posts/tien-n...
People often eagerly discuss the end of the Arctic. Yet realizing that the #Arctic Circle Assembly may have peaked could hit a bit too close to home.
My latest blog post recaps this year's conference, which just wrapped up in #Reykjavik.
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/10/21/h... #geopolitics 🧪
My latest blog post recaps this year's conference, which just wrapped up in #Reykjavik.
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/10/21/h... #geopolitics 🧪
Have we reached peak Arctic Circle? - CRYOPOLITICS
People often eagerly discuss the end of the Arctic. Yet realizing that the Arctic Circle Assembly may have peaked could hit a bit too close to home.
www.cryopolitics.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:15 AM
People often eagerly discuss the end of the Arctic. Yet realizing that the #Arctic Circle Assembly may have peaked could hit a bit too close to home.
My latest blog post recaps this year's conference, which just wrapped up in #Reykjavik.
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/10/21/h... #geopolitics 🧪
My latest blog post recaps this year's conference, which just wrapped up in #Reykjavik.
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/10/21/h... #geopolitics 🧪
The Chinese container ship #IstanbulBridge arrived in England from China after a 20-day journey via the Northern Sea Route. But locally, in the town of Harwich, no one seemed to pay much attention. #Arctic #shipping
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/10/15/f... 🧪
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/10/15/f... 🧪
First container ship to sail the China-Europe Arctic Express Route arrives in England - CRYOPOLITICS
Chinese container ship Istanbul Bridge arrived in England from China after a 20-day journey via the Northern Sea Route. But locally, no one noticed.
www.cryopolitics.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:56 PM
The Chinese container ship #IstanbulBridge arrived in England from China after a 20-day journey via the Northern Sea Route. But locally, in the town of Harwich, no one seemed to pay much attention. #Arctic #shipping
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/10/15/f... 🧪
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/10/15/f... 🧪
I offered some remarks on the closure of the US #Arctic Research Consortium for High North News, which deals yet another blow to regional cooperation – and to communities in Alaska, too.
www.highnorthnews.com/en/us-arctic...
www.highnorthnews.com/en/us-arctic...
US Arctic Research Consortium Shuts Down
The Arctic Research Consortium of the United States will shut down this month after having its funding slashed earlier this year. The closure reflects the Trump Administration's move toward securitizi...
www.highnorthnews.com
September 30, 2025 at 10:55 AM
I offered some remarks on the closure of the US #Arctic Research Consortium for High North News, which deals yet another blow to regional cooperation – and to communities in Alaska, too.
www.highnorthnews.com/en/us-arctic...
www.highnorthnews.com/en/us-arctic...
Just as Istanbul Bridge departs China for the UK via the Northern Sea Route, I was excited to be interviewed for the Weekly Biz cover story on #Arctic #shipping in Chosun Ilbo, South Korea's largest newspaper. Some excellent infographics, too.
www.chosun.com/economy/week... #NorthernSeaRoute
www.chosun.com/economy/week... #NorthernSeaRoute
September 24, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Just as Istanbul Bridge departs China for the UK via the Northern Sea Route, I was excited to be interviewed for the Weekly Biz cover story on #Arctic #shipping in Chosun Ilbo, South Korea's largest newspaper. Some excellent infographics, too.
www.chosun.com/economy/week... #NorthernSeaRoute
www.chosun.com/economy/week... #NorthernSeaRoute
Now published! 📢
'Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the #Arctic'
Co-authored with @klausdodds.bsky.social, our new book on northern geopolitical & ecological change is out today in the UK. Available in the US from 21 Oct.
www.waterstones.com/book/unfroze... #geopolitics #books 🧪
'Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the #Arctic'
Co-authored with @klausdodds.bsky.social, our new book on northern geopolitical & ecological change is out today in the UK. Available in the US from 21 Oct.
www.waterstones.com/book/unfroze... #geopolitics #books 🧪
Unfrozen by Mia Bennett, Klaus Dodds | Waterstones
Buy Unfrozen by Mia Bennett, Klaus Dodds from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.
www.waterstones.com
September 23, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Now published! 📢
'Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the #Arctic'
Co-authored with @klausdodds.bsky.social, our new book on northern geopolitical & ecological change is out today in the UK. Available in the US from 21 Oct.
www.waterstones.com/book/unfroze... #geopolitics #books 🧪
'Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the #Arctic'
Co-authored with @klausdodds.bsky.social, our new book on northern geopolitical & ecological change is out today in the UK. Available in the US from 21 Oct.
www.waterstones.com/book/unfroze... #geopolitics #books 🧪
Check out my blog for a recap of the #Arctic Security Conference 2025, which convened in Oslo for the second time last week.
Takeaway: The work of Arctic conferences, as niche as they are, should be to reject rather than reproduce megalomaniacal discourses.
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/09/22/a...
Takeaway: The work of Arctic conferences, as niche as they are, should be to reject rather than reproduce megalomaniacal discourses.
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/09/22/a...
September 22, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Check out my blog for a recap of the #Arctic Security Conference 2025, which convened in Oslo for the second time last week.
Takeaway: The work of Arctic conferences, as niche as they are, should be to reject rather than reproduce megalomaniacal discourses.
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/09/22/a...
Takeaway: The work of Arctic conferences, as niche as they are, should be to reject rather than reproduce megalomaniacal discourses.
www.cryopolitics.com/2025/09/22/a...
Amazon is seeking to roll back the FCC's five-year deorbit rule, and I had something to say about that. 😁 #spacedebris #satellites
Amazon wants the FCC to roll back a five-year deorbit rule for satellites which was established in 2022 to mitigate the harms of orbital debris.
Read more on Light Reading:
Read more on Light Reading:
Amazon to FCC: Drop five-year deorbit rule
Amazon wants the FCC to roll back a five-year deorbit rule for satellites which was established in 2022 to mitigate the harms of orbital debris.
www.lightreading.com
September 19, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Amazon is seeking to roll back the FCC's five-year deorbit rule, and I had something to say about that. 😁 #spacedebris #satellites
My book with @klausdodds.bsky.social, 'Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the #Arctic', comes out on 23 Sept. We have several events this autumn in the UK including a conversation night @waterstones.bsky.social in London on 14 October.
Hope to see you there!
www.waterstones.com/events/unfro...
Hope to see you there!
www.waterstones.com/events/unfro...
Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the Arctic - Mia Bennett and Klaus Dodds in conversation | Events at Waterstones Bookshops | Waterstones
Events at Waterstones get you closer to the books and authors you admire most. Find information and tickets about Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the Arctic - Mia Bennett and Klaus Dodds in conv...
www.waterstones.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:05 PM
My book with @klausdodds.bsky.social, 'Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the #Arctic', comes out on 23 Sept. We have several events this autumn in the UK including a conversation night @waterstones.bsky.social in London on 14 October.
Hope to see you there!
www.waterstones.com/events/unfro...
Hope to see you there!
www.waterstones.com/events/unfro...
It was inspiring to visit the Humboldt University of Berlin and meet with researchers in the Earth Observation Lab (@humboldteolab.bsky.social) & Conservation Biogeography Lab (@biogeoberlin.bsky.social), who are advancing #RemoteSensing in exciting (and critical!) ways. Vielen Dank! 🛰️
Grateful to Prof. Mia Bennett (@cryopolitics.com ,Univ. of Washington) for stirring questions at today’s EO Lab colloquium. “Pixel Politics” probed who owns the satellites—and the narratives—behind our data. Exposure→engagement→empowerment: roadmap for critical #RemoteSensing
June 18, 2025 at 12:47 PM
It was inspiring to visit the Humboldt University of Berlin and meet with researchers in the Earth Observation Lab (@humboldteolab.bsky.social) & Conservation Biogeography Lab (@biogeoberlin.bsky.social), who are advancing #RemoteSensing in exciting (and critical!) ways. Vielen Dank! 🛰️