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February 18, 2020

No Arctic-science events are scheduled for today.
Media

NASA Millions of Arctic Methane Hotspots Detected by NASA- Global Climate Change Impact. Knowing where emissions are happening and what's causing them brings us a step closer to being able to forecast the region's impact on global climate. The Arctic is one of the fastest warming places on the planet. As temperatures rise, the perpetually frozen layer of soil, called permafrost, begins to thaw, releasing methane and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These methane emissions can accelerate future warming - but to understand to what extent, we need to know how much methane may be emitted, when and what environmental factors may influence its release. SciTechDaily
 
Indigenous People Help Develop Better Arctic Shipping Routes. As the climate warms, the Arctic is becoming a more hectic place. Less ice means more boats, which can now make their way through the once impassable ocean. Shipping traffic in the Canadian Arctic has tripled in recent decades, which is presenting new challenges for these pristine northern environments and the Inuits who live there. The Hill  
 
russian flag What Russia's $300B Investment in Arctic Oil and Gas Means for Canada. Last month, the Russian government pushed through new legislation creating $300 billion in new incentives for new ports, factories, and oil and gas developments on the shores and in the waters of the Arctic ocean. The incentives are part of a broader plan to more than double maritime traffic in the Northern Sea Route, on Russia's northern coast - and give a boost to state energy companies like Gazprom, Lukoil, and Rosneft. Radio Canada International
 
Systems Analysis for a New Arctic. The Arctic region has long been seen as one of the Earth's most remote frontiers. However, the Arctic is changing quickly, which is important in global governance, geopolitics and the global economy. Temperatures have warmed faster than the rest of the planet; sea ice dramatically declines in summers; exploitation of oil and gas, new (sea) trade routes, tourism and other economic activities are expanding. At the same time, the region, claimed by eight states and inhabited by dozens of groups of Indigenous peoples, has the potential for geopolitical stability and constructive cooperation-a precondition for largely international and multidisciplinary Arctic research. Phys.org
 
Mapping Russia's Arctic Hydrocarbon Development Scheme. Globally, climate change presents major implications for hydrocarbon development and is especially relevant in the Arctic, where surface air temperatures warm at approximately twice the global rate. 1) In the past five decades, Arctic regions saw downward trends in sea ice levels and snow cover extent, increased permafrost thaw, and an intensified hydrological cycle resulting from warming air temperatures. 2) The Arctic is also one of the world's most significant and extensive regions of untapped oil and gas.  The Arctic Institute
Future Events
 
"Arctic Worlds: A Symposium on Environment and Humanities" February 26, 2020, (Boston, Massachusetts, USA)  is an interdisciplinary Arctic event at Boston University, hosted by the Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future. There will be speakers from the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities addressing questions on how the Arctic/North can engender new understandings. Thekeynote speaker will be the Head of Representation in North America for Greenland, Minister Inuuteq Holm Olsen.

47th Annual Meeting of the Alaska Anthropological Association, February 26-29, 2020 (Fairbanks, Alaska USA). Hosted by the National Park Service and the Alaska Anthropological Association. There are several sessions on traditional knowledge, ongoing Alaska research, early peopling of Alaska, and other Arctic-based sessions.
 
ISAR-6: Arctic Research: the Decade Past and the Decade Future, March 2-6, 2020 (Tokyo, Japan). Rapid changes are taking place in the Arctic that impact regional human and natural systems, and affect the global environment. The International Symposium on Arctic Research (ISAR) will meet for the sixth time since its first symposium in 2008 to identify changes in the Arctic environment and society, and to discuss possible future sustainable development. The hosts invite all researchers with interests in the Arctic to participate in this multidisciplinary symposium and share their insights, their challenges, and to explore the possible futures of the Arctic.

International One Health, One Future 2020 International Conference, March 11-14, 2020 (Fairbanks, Alaska USA). This year's conference, presented by University of Alaska Fairbanks Center for One Health Research in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, will host internationally recognized keynote speakers across eight themes. There will be something for all stakeholders - community members, health care providers, state and federal agency employees, researchers, educators and students. One Health recognizes the interdependence of human, animal and environmental health, and that a holistic approach to the well-being of all will lead to improved health outcomes and enhanced resilience.

Linking Experts in Polar Science and Technology, March 12, 2020 (Boulder, Colorado USA). The Polar Technology Conference (PTC) brings together polar scientists, technology developers, and field technicians from academia, state and federal agencies, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations. This interdisciplinary space provides an opportunity for technical and theoretical exchange on challenges impeding polar research and field operations. Community input is crucial to ensure that technological infrastructure investments are efficient, satisfy science drivers, and meet field requirements. The conference will address approaches to working and studying in the polar regions, including: terrestrial, marine, atmospheric, and social science disciplines; autonomous instrumentation; observation platforms; and all levels of logistical support.

High North Dialogue, March 18-19, 2020 (Bodø, Norway). Since 2007, the High North Dialogue conference series have brought together leaders of the High North - present and future - to discuss the dimensions of the changes taking place in the Arctic.  The High North Dialogue 2020 will provide you with a different perspective on the future of the High North.  The theme of the 2020 conference is "Business in the Arctic."  The conference also includes Master and PhD courses, a research workshop, breakout sessions, the High North Hero award, and the High North Young Entrepreneur contest.  Please visit our website for more information. 

usarc_logo_small_transparent_background 113th USARC Meeting, March 24, 2020 (Orono, Maine USA). The US Arctic Research Commission will host its 113th meeting at the University of Maine. Additional information coming soon on the website and in the Federal Register.

Arctic Science Summit Week and the 5th Arctic Observing Summit. March 27 to April 2, 2020, (Akureyri, Iceland). 
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. The theme of AOS 2020 is Observing for Action. AOS 2020 will be held in Akureyri, Iceland (March 31-April 2) and will focus on pressing issues related to the use, design, optimization and implementation of the observing system. To that end, submissions in the form of white papers, short statements and poster abstracts are requested that address any and all aspects of the overarching theme and sub-themes.

North x North Festival + Critical Futures, April 13-19, 2020 (Anchorage, Alaska USA).  North x North celebrates connection, creativity, imagination and innovation across the Circumpolar North and convenes people worldwide for a discussion about possible futures. It begins with Critical Futures , a creative conference that focuses on language, visuals and ideas for creatively and critically thinking about the future and responding to climate change, and ends with a Fest featuring film, food and music. This event is hosted by the Anchorage Museum.

The 7th Annual Arctic Encounter, April 16-17, 2020 (Seattle, WA USA).  The 2019 Arctic Encounter Seattle drew participants and stakeholders from over 20 nations, including over 80 speakers, 27 sponsors, 17 media partners, northern fashion and photography art installations, 13 guest performers, the second annual Far North Fashion Show, live podcast recording sessions, musical and spoken word performances, and over 10 artist exhibitors. The 2020 Arctic Encounter Seattle expects to increase engagement in new sectors and engage participants through policy debates, research presentations, live performances, and more. The Arctic Encounter is the largest annual Arctic policy and business conference convening in the United States, with partnerships and convening efforts worldwide. 

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