As the Arctic research community transitions to the 2022-2026 Arctic Research Plan, IARPC is reflecting on the achievements of the previous five years. In a three-part webinar series, researchers and community members engaged in Arctic research will present on highlights of their work in observations, human-applied science, and modeling. This IARPC webinar will focuse on accomplishments in applying research to human needs. Kevin Bjella (Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory) will speak about the Alaska Environmental Threat Assessment Report. Darcy Peter (Woodwell Climate Research Center) will speak about research related to permafrost and Alaska communities. Olivia Lee (National Science Foundation) will present about the Sea Ice for Walrus Outlook.

The Alaska Forum on the Environment will feature over 40 technical sessions, 4 keynote speakers, virtual exhibitor booths, daily film festival films and an after-hours meet and greet session.

A continuing drop in population figures for the North is a major security policy challenge, said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labor) in his High North speech in Tromsø, Norway last Thursday.

Though students have been experiencing winter weather in State College, Penn State professor Jose Fuentes is currently amid even colder temperatures up north in the Arctic Circle in Alaska — conducting research on melting ice and its effects on the atmosphere. At Penn State, Fuentes teaches two undergraduate courses — Introduction to Micrometeorology (METEO 454) and Atmospheric Dispersion (METEO 455) — and two graduate courses — Biometeorology (METEO 563) and Chemistry of the Atmosphere (METEO 532).

Hundreds of international researchers are currently analyzing observations from the one-year MOSAiC expedition, during which hundreds of environmental parameters were recorded with unprecedented accuracy and frequency over a full annual cycle in the Central Arctic Ocean. They have now published three overview articles on the MOSAiC atmosphere, snow and sea ice, and ocean programs in the journal Elementa, highlighting the importance of examining all components of the climate system together.

Scientists from Tomsk State University have embarked on a study of hilly Siberian and Arctic swamps. The experts believe that a transformation of these ecosystems can cause large-scale natural upheavals, including methane discharges into the atmosphere. This process can also disrupt river flows and the biogeochemical composition of river water.

Eric S. Lander, the president’s top science adviser, resigned Monday evening after acknowledging that he had demeaned and disrespected his colleagues, behavior that prompted immediate questions about how he could keep his job given President Biden’s promise to fire any aide who disrespected others. “The president accepted Dr. Eric Lander’s resignation letter this evening with gratitude” for his work, Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said in a statement. “He knows that Dr. Lander will continue to make important contributions to the scientific community in the years ahead.”

The Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026 provides a high-level strategy and goals for the next five years of Arctic research. In order to respond quickly to novel challenges and to provide more opportunities for Arctic researchers and residents to drive the work IARPC does, we are moving to a two-year implementation process for the plan. Biennial implementation plans will include more granular, specific objectives and deliverables. The first biennial implementation plan is currently under development and will cover 2022-2024. In this webinar, biennial implementation plan transition teams will provide an overview of their draft objectives and request input and ideas. This webinar is hosted by IARPC.

Arctic360 will host this event with guest from sectors including Indigenous, private sector, and political leaders across Canada. The 2022 conference theme: ‘WHERE INFRASTRUCTURE MEETS DIPLOMACY’ focuses on strengthening partnership to help build green, connected, smart, and climate resilient transportation infrastructure to foster local economic growth and well-being at home and connect the region to domestic and international markets. Turning potential into reality requires vision, planning, political cooperation, and the Public-Private-Indigenous Partnerships that are necessary for success. The path towards 21st century Arctic transportation infrastructure is where ‘Infrastructure Investment Meets Diplomacy.’

The Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) is organized annually by the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC)  to provide opportunities for coordination, cooperation and collaboration between the various scientific organizations involved in Arctic research. It was initiated by the IASC in 1999.

Join us on April 7th and 8th in Anchorage, Alaska at the Denai’na Convention Center and the Anchorage Museum for Arctic Encounter Anchorage 2022. As the largest Arctic policy and business conference in the United States, with partners and convenings across the globe, the Arctic Encounter brings together thousands of Arctic leaders and voices from around the world. Following two years of cancellation due to COVID-19, the Arctic Encounter is eager to welcome participants to Alaska for a world-class arts and cultural experience, including dialogue and presentations with elected and international leaders, business executives, indigenous peoples, scientists, and more. Visit ArcticEncounter.com to learn more and to subscribe to receive the most up-to-date information as speakers, partners, exhibitors, and more are announced.

The participants in the forum will focus on improving the living standards in the Arctic region, preserving its unique ecological potential, ensuring sustainable socioeconomic development in polar territories, and strengthening international cooperation to this end. The IAF is a unique space for constructive cooperation with international and regional organizations and an opportunity to focus on Russian and international priorities, including climate change, the environment, economic cooperation in the Arctic, sustainable development of transport infrastructure, and human capital development.

Arctic Symposium 2022 continues momentum in Arctic defense and security collaboration established in prior ALCOM-hosted events. AAS22 seeks to address the challenges faced by the U.S. military and our allies and partners in understanding and responding to our respective national interests. AAS22 is planned and organized by the Arctic Domain Awareness Center at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) in support and in compliance to guidance from Alaskan Command (ALCOM) Staff and Commander. More information available soon.

The 2022 theme, Pathways, reflects the choices the Arctic is facing when addressing pressing global challenges. The urgency for action will be discussed in terms of pathways to economic development, sustainability, climate action, security, stability, and respect for science in decision-making. The scale spans from national to global policies, from corporate strategies to regional actions and indigenous perspectives, emphasizing the need for broad stakeholder engagement and partnership.

Organizers announce, that due to the coronavirus outbreak, the 2nd Symposium on Polar Microbes and Viruses has been postponed to 2022. This symposium will bring together molecular microbial ecologists specializing in different organism groups to share our latest results and discuss methodological problems, as well as future prospects in the field, including practical international collaborations. The environmental focus will be on cryospheric environments including sea ice, glaciers, ice sheets, and permafrost, but excellent research in other polar environments is also invited. The methods to be discussed will focus on 'omics' techniques, ranging from single cells to metagenomes, but research using additional methods is encouraged as well.

The events during the week of August 1st, 2022, will include Enhancing Arctic Science and Engineering Workshop along with Regional Development Tours and forums on the Arctic science to plan for the next 25 years of Arctic research. Participants will include scientists and engineers, Indigenous leaders, Arctic community members, policymakers, government organizations and businesses to celebrate past research success, take stock of current challenges and opportunities and plan for the next generation of collaboration and knowledge co-production that will keep Utqiagvik and Indigenous knowledge at the forefront of Arctic science and contribute to a safe and sustainable future for

the Arctic.