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December 1, 2020

Climate Change and Health in Alaska Webinar with Dr. Micah Hahn1:00 pm EST on December 1, 2021 (virtual). In this webinar, Dr. Micah Hahn will share an overview of the health impacts of climate change and describe how Alaskan communities are experiencing these impacts. She will dive into topics ranging from wildfires to ticks, and together we will learn about some of key questions that Alaskan communities are trying to answer as they adapt. This webinar is part of the Migration in Harmony Research Coordination Network. Register for free here.

Arctic Futures Symposium 2020, November 30- December 2, 2020 (virtual). Arctic Futures aims to create discussions and best practice exchanges between Arctic stakeholders with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. This year's symposium will focus on: Arctic challenges; Arctic policies of the EU, Arctic states, and Arctic stakeholders; Arctic community needs and preparedness; pollution, climate change and biodiversity: challenges and solutions; community resilience through empowerment; a uniquely Arctic entrepreneurship and investment culture; and, the EU's engagement in the Arctic and implementing the EU green deal.

Lunch & Learn- Solving Present and Future Arctic Challenges, noon on December 1, 2020. This event is hosted by the US Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association. Learn how the Academy's Center for Arctic Study & Policy (CASP) serves as an operationally focused academic think tank to promote research, broaden partnerships and educate future leaders about the complexities of this unique region. CASP Director Ms. Cara Condit and current Class of 1965 Arctic Scholar Dr. Barry Zellen highlight past accomplishments and what's on the horizon.
Media

Largely Insulated from COVID-19, Unalaska is Watching Its Wastewater for Signs of Trouble. Unalaska and Dutch Harbor sit 800 air miles away from Anchorage. And the community of about 4,500 year-round residents more than doubles during peak fishing seasons. It's one of few places in the state that has been largely untouched by the coronavirus. Since the onset of the pandemic, the community has only recorded 107 cases, 85 of which were from one factory trawler. Alaska Public Radio
 
The Mystery of Siberia's Exploding Craters. It appeared suddenly and explosively, leaving a ragged pockmark on the landscape. Around the crater's edge, the earth is a torn, grey jumble of ice and clods of permafrost. The roots of plants - newly exposed around the rim - show signs of scorching. It gives some idea of just how violently this hole in the middle of the Siberian Arctic materialized. BBC News

Ocean Acoustics in the Changing Arctic. Interest in Arctic acoustics began in the early years of the Cold War when nuclear-powered submarines capable of operating for extended periods under the ice were first developed.1 In 1958 the first operational nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus, reached the North Pole. Shortly thereafter, military and academic scientists conducted Arctic acoustics research from ice islands and seasonal camps on the ice. The knowledge they gained was used to support submarine operations and develop antisubmarine warfare. Research at those ice camps continues today, but military interest in Arctic acoustics waned in the early 1990s at the end of the Cold War. Physics Today
 
Melting Sea Ice and Polar Bears: A Wellington Physicist's Arctic Expedition. A Wellington scientist returning from brushes with polar bears the North Pole has urged New Zealand to invest in research into the climatic impacts on sea ice. Victoria University Antarctic Research Centre research fellow Dr Ruzica Dadic has just returned from the international MOSAiC expedition to the Arctic, the largest polar operation of its kind in history. New Zealand Herald
 
Estonia to Present Arctic Council Observer Application to International Partners. Estonia is about to hold a virtual event on Monday to present its application for an observer status on the Arctic Council and detail the ways in which the climate and digital know-how of Estonian scientists can contribute to how the Arctic deals with climate change. At the event titled "Estonia as an aspiring Arctic Council observer state: promoting smart solutions," which will start at 4 p.m., President Kersti Kaljulaid, Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu and experts of the field will talk about why ensuring the sustainable development of the Arctic is the responsibility of not only Arctic states alone but also its neighbors. The virtual event is in English, spokespeople for the Estonian Foreign Ministry said. Baltic Times
Future Events

** New this week ** Launching the Arctic Infrastructure Inventory: A Resource to Inform Arctic Economic Development, 12:00 pm EST on December 2, 2020 (virtual). In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in attention placed on the Arctic, with focus on the economic development, telecommunications, military, and shipping dimensions of the region.The Arctic Infrastructure Inventory aims to help address and inform many of these issues through a public inventory of current and planned infrastructure projects across the Arctic. With currently over 8,000 projects, the Inventory is a digital list of infrastructure projects in the Arctic. It can be a tool to inform policymaking, investment, science research, and civil security planning, and will provide all stakeholders with a resource detailing Arctic infrastructure at the local, national, and regional levels. This event is sponsored by the Polar Institute.

Third Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3): Webinar Two, 5:00 pm UTC on December 2, 2020 (virtual). This meeting is part of the ASM3 webinar series and will focus on Indigenous Peoples' Interests in ASM3 (specific topics in consultation with ASM3 Science Advisory Board and Arctic Indigenous Organizations). For more information on ASM3, see here.

The Arctic Resilience Forum: Financing Resilience, December 2, 2020 (virtual). The Arctic Resilience Forum will be convened every Wednesday from 11:30am - 1:00pm (EST) over a series of ten weeks, beginning October 7, 2020.  The online series, organized by the Arctic Council and the Harvard Kennedy School will engage the broadest audience possible in conversations about how to build the resilience of Arctic communities and ecosystems across a variety of focus areas.

Indigenous Peoples' Participation in the ASM3 Process - Contributions to Arctic Science and Research, 5pm UTC on December 3, 2020 (virtual). This event is part of the ASM3 Webinar Series and is hosted by the 3rd Arctic Science Ministerial. This webinar brings together a panel of Indigenous leaders to discuss the upcoming Arctic Science Ministerial. They will discuss the importance of inclusion of the knowledge of Indigenous peoples in Arctic science and research and the important role this has on sustainability. They will provide a background of previous efforts and share their insights around the question "Why is it important for Indigenous Peoples to be involved in Arctic science and research?" Please join the panel to learn about how a holistic approach to Arctic Science builds equity and cooperation in the Arctic. The discussion from this webinar will form the basis for recommendations reflected in the ASM3 final report.

** New this week ** The New Blue Economy: People, Products, and Policies, 1:00 pm AST on December 3, 2020 (virtual). Dr. Richard W. Spinrad will present at the Fall 2020 Fisheries and Oceans Sciences Keynote Seminar hosted by the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Access the meeting here. https://alaska.zoom.us/j/88016954692?pwd=ODAzWUZhL3dhUTlPa2JVRjBsdXBtUT09
 
Meeting ID: 880 1695 4692
Passcode: 650045
 


AGU Fall Meeting, December 7-11, 2020 (San Francisco, California USA). Fall Meeting is the largest gathering of Earth and space scientists in the world. More information will be available at the link.

Arctic Change 2020, December 7-10, 2020 (virtual). ArcticNet's international Arctic science conference takes place every 3 years, bringing together researchers and partners from around the world. This year the conference will be virtual. Building on the success of our previous Annual Scientific Meeting while facing the realities of our times, the organizers are pulling out all the stops to reach a bigger audience than ever before. The ArcticNet Network of Centers of Excellence and their partners warmly invite the global Arctic community to join them-from wherever you are-at the Arctic Change 2020 Virtual Conference.

The Arctic Resilience Forum: Infrastructure, December 9, 2020 (virtual). The Arctic Resilience Forum will be convened every Wednesday from 11:30am - 1:00pm (EST) over a series of ten weeks, beginning October 7, 2020.  The online series, organized by the Arctic Council and the Harvard Kennedy School, will engage the broadest audience possible in conversations about how to build the resilience of Arctic communities and ecosystems across a variety of focus areas. 

The Arctic Resilience Forum: Working Together in the Arctic: Indigenous and Western Knowledge Systems, December 16, 2020 (virtual). The Arctic Resilience Forum will be convened every Wednesday from 11:30am - 1:00pm (EST) over a series of ten weeks, beginning October 7, 2020.  The online series will engage the broadest audience possible in conversations about how to build the resilience of Arctic communities and ecosystems across a variety of focus areas.

Creeping Security in the Arctic? 12:00 pm CET on December 18, 2020 (virtual). Niklas Eklund is an associate professor at the Department of Political Science and Deputy Director at the Arctic Research Center at Umeå University. His research is on public administration, security, leadership and crisis management. He has also contributed to the 'Handbook of Arctic Security' in which he introduce Sweden from a state-based security perspective. In December, Arcum is arranging an online seminar within the Umeå Arctic Seminar series, where Niklas will talk about the creeping securitization in the Arctic. This event is organized by the Arctic Research Center at Umeå University.

Alaska Native Perspectives of an Evolving Arctic Environment, 12:00 pm AKST on January 15, 2021. Join AKWorld for this discussion of climate, security, economic opportunity, science, resilience and other implications of a changing Arctic. Whether you are in Florida, California, Alaska, or another state in-between, you have experienced significant weather changes amplified by a rapidly changing Arctic. Come, listen, and join the conversation with two Alaska Native women who have firsthand knowledge and understanding of this important issue for Alaska, the United States, and the World.

Third Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3): Webinar Three, 2:00 pm UTC on January 20, 2021 (virtual). This meeting is part of the ASM3 webinar series and will focus on Theme 1: Observing networks; Data sharing-towards implementation. For more information on ASM3, see here.

2021 Alaska Marine Science Symposium, January 26-28, 2021 (virtual). The Alaska Marine Science Symposium (AMSS) has been bringing together scientists, educators, resource managers, students, and interested public for over twenty years to discuss the latest marine research being conducted in Alaskan waters. Showcasing Alaska's marine science remains the utmost priority despite the challenges we all have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are also exploring some additional events (virtual panels, social hours, etc.) surrounding the virtual launch of AMSS 2021, so stay tuned! We are looking for panel ideas Topic ideas may include but are not limited to: coastal resiliency, ocean noise, marine debris, perspectives on changing ecosystems, co-production of knowledge, economics of climate change, and the future of the Arctic Research Post-COVID in local communities. (submit here: https://alaskamarinescience.org/2021-panels).

Arctic Frontiers 2021, February 1-4, 2021 (virtual). Arctic Frontiers started out in 2006 assembling the first global scientific conference on economic, societal and environmental sustainable growth in the north. In February 2021, we will arrange the 15th conference with the theme "Building Bridges". The conference has a pan arctic perspective and builds new partnerships across nations, generations and ethnic groups. Arctic Frontiers provides a forum for dialogue and communication between science, government and industry in the Arctic.

Arctic Maritime Horizons Workshop, February 2-4, 2021 (Anchorage, Alaska USA). This event is hosted by the Arctic Domain Awareness Center. This workshop will be an assessment of the future maritime transportation system of the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort sea regions.

Third Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3): Webinar Four, 1:00 pm UTC on February 17, 2021 (virtual). This meeting is part of the ASM3 webinar series and will focus on Theme 2: enhance understanding and prediction capability on Arctic environmental and social systems and its global impact. For more information on ASM3, see here.

Third Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3): Webinar Five, 1:00 pm UTC on March 17, 2021 (virtual). This meeting is part of the ASM3 webinar series and will focus on Theme 3: Respond: sustainable development; evaluation of vulnerability and resilience; application of knowledge. For more information on ASM3, see here.

ALCOM's Arctic Senior Leader Summit, 2021, March 10-11, 2021 (virtual). In support of U.S. Northern Command's Arctic mission, please consider joining Lt General David Krumm, USAF, Commander Alaska Command, Alaska NORAD Region and 11th Air Force and a host of Defense and Security Leaders for Arctic Senior Leader Summit 2021 (ASLS 21) 10-11 March 2021.  This event is oriented to addressing senior leader strategic views on the developing range of security and defense matters affecting the Arctic region.  Due to the on-going complications of in-person meetings as a result of COVID 19, Arctic Senior Summit 2021 will be conducted via video conference.  Day 1 of ASLS 2021 is focused on plenary presentations and follow-on strategic discussions.  Day 2 ASLS 2021 is a planned tabletop exercise.  Further details and registration to be provided soon via ASLS 21 planning team at the Arctic Domain Awareness Center.  Please see:  https://arcticdomainawarenesscenter.org/Events for more details or email ADAC center leadership at https://arcticdomainawarenesscenter.org/Team.

Arctic Science Summit Week, March 20-26, 2021 (Lisbon, Portugal). The Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the Local Organizing Committee will host the Arctic Science Summit Week 2021. The Conference is organized by FCT, Ciência Viva, AIR Center, the Portuguese Arctic Community and by IASC and partners. Framed by the overarching theme for the Science Conference "The Arctic: Regional Changes, Global Impacts," Lisbon invites International experts on the Arctic and Indigenous Peoples to discuss the "New Arctic" and also its impacts and interactions to and with the lower latitudes.

Third Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3): Webinar Five, 1:00 pm UTC on April 7, 2021 (virtual). This meeting is part of the ASM3 webinar series and will focus on Theme 4: Strengthen: capacity building; education; networking; resilience-prepare the next generation. For more information on ASM3, see here.

2nd Symposium on Polar Microbes and Viruses, May 3-6, 2021 (Hanko, Finland). Organizers announce, that due to the coronavirus outbreak, the 2nd Symposium on Polar Microbes and Viruses has been postponed to 2021. 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.

3rd Arctic Science Ministerial, May 8-9, 2021 (Toyko, Japan). The Japanese and Icelandic organizers of this ministerial continue to plan for an in-person ministerial, in Tokyo, but have moved the dates from November 21-22, 2020 to May 8-9, 2021 because of Covid-19. Since the last Arctic Science Ministerial in 2018, changes in the Arctic ecosystem and the resulting impacts locally and globally have been severely felt. Considering the need for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and repair measures, the relevance of an international Arctic Science Ministerial has never been greater. It is necessary to strengthen scientific cooperation and collaboration among both Arctic and non-Arctic States in order to develop our understanding of the rapid changes impacting the Arctic. The First Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM1) was hosted by the United States in 2016, and two years later, the Second Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM2) was co-hosted by Germany, Finland, and the European Commission. ASM3 will be co-hosted by Iceland and Japan.
 

Third Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3): Closing Webinar, 1:00 pm UTC on June 9, 2021 (virtual). This meeting is part of the ASM3 webinar series and will focus on the post-ministerial review: joint statement actions. For more information on ASM3, see here.

2021 Regional Conference on Permafrost/ 19th International Conference Cold Regions Engineering, July 11-16, 2021 (Boulder, Colorado USA). For the first time a Regional Conference on Permafrost will be combined with the bi-annual 19th International Conference on Cold Regions Engineering. This conference is hosted by the US Permafrost Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the International Permafrost Association, the Permafrost Young Researchers Network, and the University of Colorado Boulder. A complete list of planned sessions is available here.

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