Arctic Update Header
August 29, 2018
 
No Arctic-science events are announced today.
Media
 
Small Step for Yup'ik Immersion Kindergartners; Giant Step for Anchorage School District. Sherry Colley's grandson posed for a picture with a great big grin, as he held a sign rimmed in gold glitter in front of College Gate Elementary School. It said, "First Day of Yup'ik Kindergarten." "I think I'm more excited than he is," Colley said. Her father was Albert Kawagley, a well-known Yup'ik scholar, who did not pass on his language to her, because there was a period in his life where he was ashamed of being Yup'ik.  KTVA
 
In Warming Arctic, Major Rivers Show Surprising Changes in Carbon Chemistry. Over the past several decades, the Arctic has begun to show signs of significant ecological upheaval. The rate of warming in the Arctic is nearly twice the global average, and those changes are triggering a cascade of destabilizing environmental effects. Ice is melting, permafrost is thawing, and experts say fires in Arctic forests are as damaging as they've been in 10,000 years. But new research suggests that the same factors driving the Arctic's changing climate are fueling a geological response that could play a small part in counteracting those changes' malign effects. Phys.org
 
Bans on Chemicals That Threaten Animals and People in Arctic are Working. Bans on dangerous chemicals responsible for death and illness in many animals seem to have done their job. Nearly two decades after restrictions were placed on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as DDT, scientists have confirmed levels of these poisonous substances are dropping in the Arctic. Previously used widely in industry and agriculture, these chemicals had serious health effects in animals and made  birds lay eggs with shells so thin they failed to hatch. Independent
 
IUMI Calls for More Infrastructure Support on Arctic Routes. Chair of IUMI's Policy Forum and co-author of the position paper Helle Hammer said: "The marine insurance sector, like all sectors, wants to see enhanced safety for ships operating in Arctic waters. We would strongly encourage an improved infrastructure to provide the required level of search and rescue capacity alongside suitable places of refuge. We would also like to see updated surveys and more reliable charting of the region. This would assist marine underwriters to quantify the risks involved". IUMI's position paper lists a number of considerations to be taken into account when assessing individual voyage risk. These include regional rescue and salvage facilities, potential places of refuge, expected weather conditions, experience of crew and the operational performance of the vessel itself. Maritime News
 
'Shocking' Decline of Arctic Skua Revealed in Study. A study of 33 colonies in Orkney, Shetland and Handa, off Sutherland, recorded an 81% decline in breeding pairs from 1992 to 2015 - reduced from 1061 to 200. The seabird could become extinct as a breeding species in the UK if the trend is not reversed, the RSPB's Center for Conservation Science has warned. It identified a reduction in availability of sandeels to Arctic skuas at the crucial time of year they need to feed their young. STV
 
AK Senators Support NOAA to Survey Arctic Ocean. Marine navigation in the Arctic is the focus of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's or NOAA'S Hydrographic Services Review Panel meeting occurring in Juneau this week. They are a federal advisory committee that provides NOAA with independent advice on improving their navigation related services. Tuesday, they had a joint session with the U.S. 'Integrated Ocean Observing System's' advisory committee, discussing innovative technology and partnerships to address gaps in NOAA services and observations. Webcenter 11
 
polar bear matt Russian Geographical Society Sends Expedition to Monitor Arctic Polar Bears. Members of the Russian Geographical Society (RGS) Yamal branch departed from Arkhangelsk to Arctic islands to test new digital communication and to monitor the polar bear's population, the branch's deputy head, Igor Kuznetsov, told TASS on Tuesday.  "A part of the expedition team has left - they are heading for the Dikson Island, where three more specialists will join them, and then we shall go to the islands," he said. "We shall practice radio communication, and besides we have a task from Taimyr's Natural Reserves to monitor polar bears and other animals north of the Polar Circle." TASS
Future Events

** New this week **  Salmon Shadows: Art to Inspire Critical Conversations About Alaska's Salmon System, September 1, 2018 (Girdwood, Alaska USA). The Alaska Salmon Fellows will host this event. The event will feature a  pop-up show featuring original salmon art from across Alaska and a community discussion.

UArctic Congress 2018, September 3-7, 2018 (Oulu and Helsinki, Finland).   The UArctic Congress 2018 will bring together key 
UArctic meetings and a science conference into one single gathering, including business meetings of the Council of UArctic, Rectors' Forum, Student Forum, and Thematic Networks & UArctic Institutes Leadership Team. The Congress is an integral part of the Finland's Arctic Council chairmanship program, and open to the public. The event will highlight the themes and priorities of the Finnish chairmanship, including the goals of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Paris Agreement under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

usarc_logo_small_transparent_background meeting will be held in the NW Borough Assembly Chambers, 163 Lagoon Street, Kotzebue, AK, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Kotzebue is the home town of USARC Commissioner Kasaŋnaaluk Marie N. Greene. After a community discussion on research needs, there will be speakers in sessions on the topics of "health and community wellness," "infrastructure and adaptation," and "local science presentations." The meeting will not be webcast. The agenda for the meeting is available here.

15 th International Circumpolar Remote Sensing Symposium, September  10-14, 2018 (Potsdam, Germany).  This symposium focuses specifically on remote sensing applications in polar environments, both Arctic and Antarctic. The theme of this year's symposium is, "Polar Regions in Transformation - Climatic Change and Anthropogenic Pressures." 

** New this week **  Arctic Ambitions, September 11-12, 2018 (Anchorage, Alaska USA). WTC Anchorage launched the Arctic Ambitions Conference in 2011 in response to growing interest by Alaskan companies, and companies from around the world, in opportunities now, and in the future, for commercial development in the Arctic. At Arctic Ambitions VII, WTC Anchorage will outline its concept for positioning Alaska as an Arctic center for international business. This year's event will feature two special panels: Asia in the Arctic and Alaskan Native Corporations in the Arctic.

North American Arctic Maritime and Environmental Security Workshop, September 18-20, 2018 (Anchorage, Alaska USA). The Arctic Domain Awareness Center at the University of Alaska and Trent University, Peterborough Ontario, jointly welcome participants to the North American Arctic Maritime and Environmental Security Workshop, University of Alaska Anchorage, Gorsuch Commons Center. The purpose of the event is to gather Arctic minded experts from government, operators, academics and industry principally from Canada and the U.S. to collaboratively assess security and provide solutions focused on the North American Arctic maritime region, including environmental and human security. The workshop will include plenary panels and breakout discussions to facilitate assessment and identify actions to mitigate risk and improve North American Arctic Maritime and Environmental Security.   The "so what" of this workshop, is to build on prior discussions and assessments (much of which is contained in a preparatory Literature Review), and create a framework of actions that policy and decision makers can leverage. For more information, email here.

September NWS Alaska Climate Outlook Briefing, September 21, 2018 (Fairbanks, Alaska USA and via webinar). The tools and techniques for making monthly and season scale climate forecasts are rapidly changing, with the potential to provide useful forecasts at the month and longer range. We will review recent climate conditions around Alaska, review some forecast tools and finish up the Climate Prediction Center's forecast for October and the early winter season. This event is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Science Seminar Series.

Scientific Exploration of the Arctic and North Pacific (SEA-NorP), September 25-27, 2018 (Mt. Hood, Oregon USA). This workshop will include discussion of hypotheses that can be tested by scientific drilling in the region, the technology necessary to achieve those goals, ideal sites for drilling based on existing data, and where additional site survey data is needed. The goal of the workshop organizers is that multiple proposals will be initiated at the workshop, both for full cruise legs and for shorter, targeted expeditions around the following themes: ocean gateways, geohazards, volatile cycling, ice histories at transition zones, biosphere and climate.

Polar Law Symposium (11th annual), October 2-4, 2018 (Tromsø, Norway) . This symposium brings together established scholars and post-doctoral and doctoral researchers from all across the world to share research in the fields of polar law and policy. Leading experts are invited to give keynote lectures. A history of the symposium is  here , news about it is  here , and registration is  here .

The second Arctic Biodiversity Congress is hosted by the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF), the biodiversity working group of the Arctic Council, and the Ministry of the Environment, Finland. The second Arctic Biodiversity Congress will build on the success of the first Congress, held in 2014 in Trondheim, Norway, and will bring together scientists, policymakers government officials, Indigenous representatives, Traditional Knowledge holders, industry, non-governmental organizations, and others to promote the conservation and sustainable use of Arctic biodiversity. 

Arctic Circle Assembly, October 2018 (Reykjavik, Iceland). The annual Arctic Circle Assembly is the largest annual international gathering on the Arctic, attended by more than 2000 participants from 60 countries. It is attended by heads of states and governments, ministers, members of parliaments, officials, experts, scientists, entrepreneurs, business leaders, indigenous representatives, environmentalists, students, activists and others from the growing international community of partners and participants interested in the future of the Arctic.

2018 Forum for Arctic Modeling and Observational Synthesis (FAMOS) Project Annual School and Meeting, October 23-26, 2018 (Bergen, Norway) Major goals of this meeting are to coordinate FAMOS activities, report accomplishments, exchange ideas and hypotheses, enhance international arctic studies collaboration and discuss plans for continuing FAMOS work beyond 2019. Meeting registration form is available at project websites: here and here. For questions and details contact A. Proshutinsky, Mike Steele, and Amelie Bouchat.

Arctic Science Forum Associated with the 2nd Arctic Science Ministerial, October 25, 2018 (Berlin, Germany and via webcast). How vulnerable and how resilient are nature and the people of the Arctic region? How well do we understand the regional and global dynamics which are driving change in the Arctic? What impact will change in the Arctic have on us? These and other questions are the focus of this two-day conference. It will take interdisciplinary research in the Arctic to gain an understanding of past and future processes - a complex and cost-intensive venture. This makes an international network of Arctic research so important for delivering better results. Cooperation in research, the exchange of data, collaborative observation and monitoring schemes - international cooperation is imperative in research on the Arctic.
Only the Science Forum, on October 25th, will be webcast. The Arctic Ministerial, on October 26th, will NOT be webcast.

Maritime & Arctic Security & Safety Conference (MASS18) "Arctic Technology" November 15-16, 2018 (Newfoundland & Labrador Canada).  Now in its sixth year, MASS has gained an international reputation as a must-attend event to gain a wide perspective on challenges, opportunities and policies related to the Arctic and North Atlantic maritime environments.  The aim of this Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador supported international conference is to promote stakeholder collaboration, technological innovation, harsh environment research & development, and world-class education efforts that are contributing to both Maritime and Arctic issues.   This two day conference will draw a diverse group of speakers and attendees representing government, military, Canadian and U.S. Coast Guard, industry, academic leaders, Northern Leaders, research and other key stakeholders. We hope you can join us to be a part of this important dialogue

American Geophysical Union Fall meeting, December 10-14, 2018 (Washington, DC USA). The AGU 2018 Fall Meeting will mark another dynamic year of discovery in Earth and space science, serve as the advent of AGU's Centennial year, and provide a special opportunity to share our science with world AGU logo leaders in Washington, D.C. As the largest Earth and space science gathering in the world, the Fall Meeting places you in the center of a global community of scientists drawn from myriad fields of study whose work protects the health and welfare of people worldwide, spurs innovation, and informs decisions that are critical to the sustainability of the Earth. 

ArcticNet: Annual Scientific Meeting 2018, December 10-14, 2018 (Ottawa, ON Canada). Canada's North is experiencing unprecedented change in its sea and terrestrial ice, permafrost and ecosystems under the triple pressures of climate change, industrialization and modernization. The impacts of these pressures can be seen on food and energy security, shipping, sovereignty, northern community health and well-being, and sustainable development and resource exploitation. All these issues have brought the North to the forefront of national and international agendas. Building on the success of its previous Annual Scientific Meetings and International Arctic Change Conferences, the Arctic Network of Centers of Excellence announces the 14th ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting. 

is a global scientific conference on economic, societal, and environmental sustainable growth.  This year's theme will be "Smart Arctic," with a pan-arctic emphasis, and an effort to build new partnerships across nations, generations and ethnic groups. Arctic Frontiers provides a forum for dialogue and communication between science, government and industry . The plenary program will have five main sessions: State of the Arctic, Blue Growth, Smart Solutions, Bridging the Gap, and Arctic business prospects. An abstract-driven science program will address Plastics in the Ocean, the Future of Governance and Handling Vulnerability in Arctic Ecosystems, State of the Arctic and A Smart Arctic Future.

Arctic Futures 2050: Science and Policy for a Changing Arctic, September 4-6, 2019 (Washington, DC USA). In 2019, the Study of Environmental Arctic Change  (SEARCH) and partners will convene Arctic scientists and decision makers to jointly forecast Arctic research needed to inform policy in the coming decades. The conference also is intended to foster more effective and iterative collaborations among Arctic scientists and decision makers.

of the AAG includes over 8,500 geographers converging from the U.S., Canada, and nearly 60 other countries in a typical year including geographers, GIS specialists, environmental scientists, and other leaders for the latest in research and applications in geography, sustainability, and GIScience.

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