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February 27, 2024

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No Arctic science event is scheduled for today.

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Greenland Stakes a Course Within Defense and Diplomacy

Greenland’s new foreign-, security-, and defense policy strategy stakes a course within defense and diplomacy, while sharing visions of how its international relations can be improved through commerce and communication. From a Danish perspective, the strategy will make it easier to find common ground between Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands – altogether constituting the Kingdom of Denmark – on how to address the security policy dynamics in the Arctic. Dynamics, which are characterized by increasing rivalry between the great powers of China, Russia, and the USA, as well as the challenged intergovernmental cooperation in the region as a result of the war in Ukraine.

The Arctic Institute

Does Russia Stand to Benefit From Climate Change?

There exists a narrative about climate change that says there are winners and losers -- with Russia being one of the countries that stand to benefit from its effects. In a new study, researchers found that Russia is suffering from a variety of climate change impacts and is ill-prepared to mitigate or adapt to those climate impacts. And, as the rest of the world transitions to renewable energy sources, Russia's fossil-fuel-dependent government is not willing or ready to make alternative plans for the country, changes that could potentially benefit the whole of their society.

Science Daily

Basin-Wide Shift in Bowhead Whale Migration in the Pacific Arctic

In a rapidly changing Arctic, multiple lines of evidence suggest that bowhead whale migration is changing. To explore these changes further, we used passive acoustic data to examine bowhead whale presence in the western Beaufort Sea (12 years) and Chukchi Plateau (11 years) spanning 2008 to 2022. Departure from the western Beaufort Sea shifted 45 days later over the 12-year period. Summer presence increased at both sites, suggesting feeding areas within the Chukchi Sea are becoming more favorable. Likewise, findings from the Bering Strait suggest that some whales are remaining north of the Bering Strait for the winter instead of in the Bering Sea. These Pacific Arctic-wide changes to migration have occurred over only one decade. Questions remain about prey availability in the Chukchi Sea, implications of migratory changes, such as a northward shift in the core overwintering area, and impact to communities south of the Bering Strait.

Geophysical Research Letters

New Data Can Help Better Understand Glaciers

On February 20, a dedicated team of researchers presented a new high-resolution calving front dataset from 149 glaciers in Svalbard, spanning from 1985 to 2023. This innovative dataset, featured in Earth System Science Data, offers an important tool to understand better the mechanisms behind glacier calving, or the breakup of icebergs, which can help to enhance our understanding of the climatic drivers behind glacier loss in Svalbard and the Arctic.

Phys.org
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NEW THIS WEEK | 10:00 am ET on February 28, 2024 | Washington, DC USA and virtual

Full Committee Hearing to Examine the Opportunities and Challenges Associated with Developing Geologic Hydrogen in the United States

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will host this hearing. The purpose of this hearing is to examine the opportunities and challenges associated with developing geologic hydrogen in the United States.

Event Link

NEW THIS WEEK | 10:30 pm ET on March 1, 2024 | Virtual

Hydoponics and Heat Pumps in the North

Rather than using dirt to grow edible seasonally-available plants, hydroponics can allow rural Alaskans to have quality vegetables and root crops – year round! Mark Houston will present what it takes to have successful hydroponic food production in cold Arctic temperatures as well as the heat pumps that make it a reality. Learn more about the lowest costs for the building space needed for success. This event is part of the Strait Science series.

Event Link

March 13-16, 2024 | Amherst, Massachusetts USA

52nd International Arctic Workshop

The 52nd International Arctic Workshop will be held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The International Arctic Workshop is a friendly, informal, and relaxed conference open to all students and professionals interested in the Arctic. Originally started at INSTAAR at the University of Colorado - Boulder, the Arctic Workshop alternates between INSTAAR and an international host. This year, University of Massachusetts with the department of Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences & Climate System Research center will be hosting.

Event Link

March 21-29, 2024 | Edinburgh, Scotland, UK and virtual

Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW)

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 and has evolved into the most important annual gathering of the Arctic research organization.

Event Link

1:00 pm on March 24, 2024 | Washington, DC USA

Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital: One with the Whale

A heartwarming, yet thrilling tale of an Alaska Native family’s struggle to recover from animal activists’ online assaults against their teenage son, the youngest person to ever harpoon a whale for his village. (Directors: Pete Chelkowski and Jim Wickens, Producers: Aakapak Susan Apassingok (Yup’ik), Yaari Walker (Yup’ik), and Justine Nagan, USA/UK, 2023, 80 min., English and Siberian Yup’ik with English subtitles)

Event Link

March 25-27, 2024, Yellowknife, NWT, Canada | April 2-4, 2024, Iqaluit, NU, Canada

CanArctic Industry Days in Northern Canada

Presented by the U.S. Commercial Service Canada, CanArctic Industry Days is set to bring together U.S. exporters from strategic sectors with Canadian Arctic Indigenous groups. The program is designed to foster a bilateral dialogue centered on knowledge sharing, the expansion of economic development opportunities in Canada's Arctic, and the exploration of potential bilateral partnerships within this dynamically evolving and geo-strategic region. Taking place in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and Iqaluit, Nunavut—two strategically chosen locations—this event promises a unique and impactful experience for all U.S. company presenters.

Event Link

March 27-29, 2024 | Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Arctic Observing Summit

The 7th biennial AOS as part of Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) 2024. The AOS draws a wide range of participants from across the spectrum of Arctic observing – Indigenous experts, operational agency representatives, scientists, and others – from around the world. Much of the summit is organized around discussions led by working groups on particular themes (Regional to global observing, Data sharing, System implementation/SAON ROADS, Observing System Benefits). In addition to plenary and working group sessions, this year we will include additional breakout sessions. 

Event Link

April 2-4, 2024 | Nome, Alaska USA

16th Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference and Forum: Theme: “Western Alaska in Transition”

This event is hosted by Alaska Sea Grant and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Northwest Campus, University of Alaska Fairbanks. The 16th Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference (WAISC) brings together people invested in sharing information important to rural communities in Western Alaska. We do this through Western Alaska knowledge and science. The 2024 conference will highlight needs to maintain strength, health, and subsistence lifestyles while moving forward during rapid transitions within the environment, ecology, and industries of Western Alaska. A conference priority is the continued sharing of knowledge across cultural boundaries.

Event Link

April 10-12, 2024 | Anchorage, Alaska USA

Arctic Encounter

As the largest Arctic policy and business conference in North America, with partners and convenings worldwide, the Arctic Encounter continues to gather leading voices from around the world. The Arctic Encounter is eager to welcome 1,000+ participants to Alaska for a world-class arts and cultural experience, including policy debates, dialogue with international leaders, business executives, Indigenous peoples, scientists, students, defense leaders, diplomats, policymakers, and more.

Event Link

May 14-15, 2024 | Brussels, Belgium and virtual

EU Arctic Forum and Indigenous Peoples’ Dialogue

The European Commission and the European External Action Service jointly host the EU Arctic Forum and Indigenous Peoples’ Dialogue. The EU Arctic Forum will provide an opportunity to assess recent developments in the Arctic and to discuss challenges ahead. It will look at some of the achievements of the EU Arctic policy in recent years and will continue to provide a strategic outlook for the years to come. The Indigenous Peoples’ Dialogue will offer a platform for discussion on Arctic matters affecting Indigenous Peoples.

Event Link

May 20, 2024 | Anchorage, Alaska USA

Launch Alaska Climate Innovation Showcase

Launch Alaska hosts this event to celebrate Launch Alaska Portfolio companies and build new connections between the people and projects accelerating the energy transition in Alaska. This event is held the day before the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference and is part of that program. 

Event Link

May 21- 23, 2024 | Anchorage, Alaska USA

Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference

Guided by the theme “Transforming Energy Now for the Next 50 Years,” the 2024 Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference will focus on real world examples in Alaska and around the globe demonstrating progress in the energy transition including established renewable sources, advancements in energy storage, and emerging technologies such as green fuels and advanced nuclear power. World-renowned speakers and experts will highlight the agenda, along with breakout tracks, panel discussions, and multiple networking opportunities.

Event Link

May 29- June 3, 2024 | Bodø, Norway

Arctic Congress Bodø 2024

Nordland Research Institute and NORD University host this event. The congress includes high-level plenary sessions, several parallel sessions, network activities, and social and cultural events. Researchers, policymakers, businesses, and students exchange knowledge and connect across the Arctic. IASSA and UArctic will also hold their General Assemblies.

Event Link

June 16-20, 2024 | Whitehorse, Yukon Canada and virtual

ICOP 2024: Integrating Perspectives of Permafrost Thaw, Change, and Adaptation

The 12th International Conference on Permafrost will consider “Integrating Perspectives of Permafrost Thaw, Change, and Adaptation.” The conference will address the most recent developments and stimulate engaging technical and scientific discussions among academics, professionals, contractors, suppliers, and students. The impacts of climate change and economic development have significantly changed the Arctic, in recent decades, resulting in a wealth of research initiatives and challenging engineering projects. Event partners include the Canadian Permafrost Association, IPA, and Yukon University.

Event Link

March 21-28, 2025 | Boulder, Colorado USA

4th International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP IV)

In lead up to its 35th anniversary in 2025, the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) is coordinating a multi-year planning process for the Fourth International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP IV) that will engage Arctic researchers, policymakers, residents, and stakeholders from around the world to collegially discuss the state of Arctic science, the place the Arctic occupies in global affairs and systems, to consider the most urgent knowledge gaps and research priorities that lie before us and to explore avenues to address these research needs. This event is hosted by a consortium of US institutions, including the University of Colorado Boulder, University of Northern Iowa, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Alaska Pacific University. ICARP I, II, and III focused the attention of the world’s researchers toward the value of strategic international coordination in accelerating progress in addressing critical challenges. ICARP IV will build upon this concept by striving to achieve consensus and build collaborations among the leading scientific, academic, environmental, Indigenous and political organizations currently concerned with Arctic issues.

Event Link
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