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December 27, 2017

No Arctic-science events are announced today.
Media

Naval War College Arctic Expert Discusses Climate Change at Patuxet Defense Forum.  Speaking to a packed auditorium of defense leaders at St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM), Walter A. Berbrick, director of the Arctic Regional Studies Group at U.S. Naval War College, stressed the need for strong American leadership in a rapidly-thawing multipolar world during a keynote address at the 12th annual Patuxet Defense Forum, Dec. 12.  Co-hosted by The Patuxent Partnership and the Center for the Study of Democracy at SMCM, the event brought together academics, senior military officers, and policy analysts in government and business to discuss challenges in the Arctic domain. US Naval War College
 
flowers2.jpg Ice Thawing Stops Flora and Fauna Development in the Arctic- Scientists.  Scientists of the Murmansk Marine Biology Institute finished a big Arctic expedition, during which they made a few discoveries about the marine flora and fauna. The Institute's Deputy Director General Pavel Makarevich told TASS the scientists now can explain why the water area, developing from ice thawing, remains uninhabited The scientists fixed the fact that the ice thawing - due to the warming - does not affect the ocean's productivity, that is growth of flora and fauna, he said. "Formerly, we used to believe the less ice we have the more light the flora receives and thus the bigger becomes the photosynthesis and plankton's development, and consequently the growing fauna, first of all the growing populations of commercial species," he added. Belarus News
 
Maritime Challenges Across the Arctic.  An event at St. Mary's College of Maryland earlier this month-themed The Arctic Domain: From Economics to National Security-brought together Arctic stakeholders from across government, academia, and industry to discuss a broad array of topics, including US Arctic defense strategy, international frameworks for cooperation, climate change, responsible resource extraction, energy development, tourism, territorial claims and defense issues. The director of marine transportation systems and senior arctic policy advisor at the United States Coast Guard,  Mike Emerson, presented on Maritime Challenges Across the Arctic at the one-day forum. Joining Emerson as part of a panel discussion was Cara Condit, the executive director of the Center for Arctic Study and Policy at the Coast Guard Academy. Global Trade Magazine
 
canadian flag Canada Supports Wind Energy Study in its Arctic. Wind Power Engineering reported that government of the Northwest Territories' Department of Infrastructure is exploring the feasibility of using wind turbines and energy storage devices in the Town of Inuvik thanks in part to an investment of USD 950,000 from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor). The funding was announced today by Member of Parliament Michael McLeod on behalf of the Honorable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CanNor. In addition to CanNor's commitment of $950,000 over two years (2016-2018), the Government of the Northwest Territories Department of Infrastructure contributed USD 760,000 bringing the total funding of the project to USD 1,710,000. Steel Guru
 
Route of the Future: Russia Takes the Lead in Arctic Exploration. Russia has widely expanded its control over its Arctic territories, and the unique infrastructure it has built in the Polar region is unmatched by any other country, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has said. "Throughout the history of Arctic exploration and reclamation, no other country has built so many [infrastructure] objects equipped with such technology and possessing such levels of capacity in the fields of power saving, as well as military capabilities," Shoigu said, addressing a plenary session of the Public Council of the Russian Defense Ministry on Monday. RT News

Future Events
 
ISAR-5 Fifth International Symposium on Arctic Research, January 15-18, 2018 (Tokyo, Japan).  The fifth ISAR has been planned at the recommendation of the science steering committee of ISAR-4, which was held in Toyama, Japan in April 2015. The fifth ISAR will be devoted to discussions on environmental changes in the Arctic and their regional and global implications, to seek additional international scientific collaboration in this area by gathering, synthesizing and sharing information related to these changes occurring in the Arctic. Special emphasis will be placed on the fields of the social sciences and humanities, which were not included in the previous ISARs.  ISAR-5 will consist of general sessions and special sessions. The general sessions will address the following topics: atmosphere; ocean and sea ice; rivers, lakes, permafrost, and snow cover; ice sheets, glaciers, and ice cores; terrestrial ecosystems; marine ecosystems; geospace; policies and economy; and social and cultural dimensions. Special sessions will be solicited on cross-cutting themes.

NSF Principles for the Conduct of Research in the Arctic, Comments due January 16, 2018.  The Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC), is seeking comments on how best to revise and strengthen the  Principles for the Conduct of Research in the Arctic . A  Federal Register Notice  has been published to solicit community input. Since 1990, community engagement and Arctic research have advanced both in theory and in practice, necessitating a review and update of the current Principles. The Principles Revision Working Group of IARPC is seeking input from all stakeholders to revise and update the Principles. The update will focus on communicating clearly the Principles for community engagement by Arctic researchers and including language that describes partnerships and collaborations with Indigenous scholars, enhanced community-based observations, fostering community-based participatory research, and the integral contributions of Indigenous knowledge in the co-production and dissemination of knowledge. Input is also sought on enhancing the dissemination and implementation of the Principles. Comments can be emailed to  iarpcprinciples@nsf.gov

Building a Twenty-First Century Icebreaker: Balancing Security and Science Capabilities, January 17, 2018 (Silver Spring, Maryland  USA). The United States Coast Guard is designing and building new heavy polar icebreakers to replace aging and increasingly obsolescent ships. We have developed and evaluated icebreaker operational requirements, seeking the greatest capability within the bounds of affordability. These ships must conduct the missions of US Coast Guard (which include safety, security, and stewardship of US waters) while serving the survey and science needs of our partner agencies across the federal government.

Alaska Region Climate Outlook Briefing, January 19, 2018 (Fairbanks, Alaska USA/ webinar). This event is sponsored by the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy. This webinar will review recent conditions and current state of the climate system in and near Alaska and the status of important global climate drivers, review guidance available for the monthly and seasonal scale outlooks and finish up the official outlooks by NOAA's Climate Prediction Center.
 
2018 Arctic Frontiers: Connecting the Arctic, January 21-26, 2018 (Tromso, Norway). Arctic Frontiers is an international arena on sustainable development in the Arctic. The conference addresses the management of opportunities and challenges to achieve viable economic growth with societal and environmental sustainability. Arctic Frontiers brings academia, government and business together to create a firmer foundation for decision-making and sustainable economic development in the Arctic. Join the Arctic Frontiers conference preparing the new Arctic future. The conference takes place the fourth week of January in the Norwegian city of Tromsø, known as the Gateway to the Arctic.
 
Alaska Marine Science Symposium, January 22-26, 2018 (Anchorage, Alaska.)  The Alaska Marine Science Symposium (AMSS) is Alaska's premier marine research conference. For over 20 years, it has brought together scientists, educators, resource managers, students, and the public to discuss marine research conducted in Alaskan waters. Over 700 people attend this 4-day long conference held annually in January.  Each day of the conference highlights Alaskan marine ecosystems: Bering Sea & Aleutian Islands (Wednesday), and the Gulf of Alaska (Tuesday), and Arctic (Thursday). Research topics discussed range from ocean physics, fishes and invertebrates, seabirds, marine mammals, to local traditional knowledge.  Website for 2018 meeting is here .
 
Alaska Forum on the Environment, February 12-16, 2018 (Anchorage, Alaska) AFE is a statewide gathering of environmental professionals from government agencies, non-profit and for-profit businesses, community leaders, Alaskan youth, conservationists, biologists and community elders. The diversity of attendees sets this conference apart from any other. The 2018 event will be our 20th year providing a strong educational foundation for all Alaskans and a unique opportunity to interact with others on environmental issues and challenges.

Methane Variation Over Terrestrial and Marine Arctic Areas (2010-2016): IASI Satellite Data, March 13, 2018 (Silver Spring, Maryland USA). There is evidence that methane is being released into the atmosphere at high northern latitudes as the Arctic warms up. Methane concentration in the Arctic lower troposphere was estimated between 2010 and 2016 with the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI), a thermal IR spectrometer orbiting the Earth on a satellite MetOp-A. The area studied encompasses the Barents/ Kara seas and the Wester Siberian Lowland (WSL), one of the most important methane sources in high northern latitudes. This event is a NOAA's National Ocean Service Science Seminar.

5th Annual Arctic Encounter Symposium (AES), April 19-20, 2018 (Seattle, WA, USA) - The Arctic Encounter, the largest annual Arctic policy conference in the U.S., will convene policymakers, industry leaders, scientists, Arctic artists and musical performers, and other stakeholders to debate and discuss emerging Arctic challenges and opportunities including policy, innovation, security, and development. The mission of AES is to raise awareness, engage challenges, and develop solutions for the future of the Arctic region and the people who live there. The 5th annual AES will take place in downtown Seattle at the  Bell Harbor International Conference Center on Pier 66.  

2018 North by North Festival, April 23-29, 2018 (Anchorage, Alaska USA). The North by North Festival captures the spirit of Alaska and the Arctic - to address our challenges and opportunities with Northern innovation and resilience, to build on a rich history and to ensure a future full of promise. The Festival is for the North, and organized by Northerners, with goals of sustainability, livability and growth. The Festival brings innovators from across Alaska, the nation and other Arctic regions to collaborate and address local and circumpolar challenges. Through knowledge, governance, business, design, film, music, food, literature and art, we celebrate the North.

The Effects of Climate Change on the World's Oceans, June 4-8, 2018 (Washington, DC USA).   The 4th International Symposium will bring together experts from around the world to better understand climate impacts on ocean ecosystems - and how to respond. The event is hosted by a variety of groups including International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), N. Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES), Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC), and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

 
International Conference on Arctic Margins (ICAM) VIII, June 11-14, 2
The international Conference on Arctic Margins (ICAM) is a forum for earth scientists who study the Arctic. It was founded to help understand the little known Arctic geology and to foster cooperation and collaboration among Arctic researchers. There have been 7 meetings since its  inception in 1991. See here  for more information.
 
POLAR 2018, June 15-27, 2018 (Davos, Switzerland).  POLAR2018 is a joint event from the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC). The SCAR meetings, the ASSW and the Open Science Conference will be hosted by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL under the patronage of the Swiss Committee on Polar and High Altitude Research. The WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF is organizing POLAR2018.

Arctic Observing Summit 2018, June 24-26, 2018 (Davos, Switzerland). The Arctic Observing Summit (AOS) is a high-level biennial summit that provides a platform to address urgent and broadly recognized needs of Arctic observing across all components of the Arctic system. AOS 2018 will be held in Davos, Switzerland ( June 24-26) and will focus on pressing issues in the implementation and support of sustained observations that can be addressed through a business-case lens. To that end, short submissions are requested that address any and all aspects of the overarching theme and sub-themes. Additional information can be found here.
 
17th International Congress of Circumpolar Health (ICCH17), August 12-15, 2018 (Copenhagen, Denmark). The ICCH congresses are held every third year in different locations in the circumpolar area and represent the largest scientific meetings worldwide on circumpolar health. The ICCH congresses serve as the primary source of information exchange and scholarly communication in issues relating to circumpolar health. More than 750 participants generally register and participate in each Congress, and more than 400 scientific papers or posters are usually presented.

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. 

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