Scientists are playing a significant role in the Arctic region, helping to educate the world about its unique ecosystem along with the ongoing geopolitical positioning by Arctic and non-Arctic states. Scientific research has been central in helping determine the boundaries of the continental shelf in the Arctic region to establish which states can exploit any natural resources found in the area. Arctic states are spending millions trying to document their territorial claims.

Scientists and engineers from the NATO Science and Technology Organization’s Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) arrived at the Norwegian port of Tromsø on Wednesday (5 June 2024) to begin two combined research missions that will assess the impact of climate change in the Arctic. The results of their studies will help NATO adapt to global warming and Arctic environmental transformation.

Russia continues to push ahead with plans to develop its Northern Sea Route into a year-round Arctic maritime shortcut. For the current year officials expect transit cargo to reach 3 million tons, around 50 percent more than last year. Volumes will primarily come from the transport of crude oil and LNG, but Russia now also aims to develop year-round container shipping.

The 12^th 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.

The 12^th 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.

The ice sheets near the Earth’s poles contain ancient ice formed from continuous snow accumulation over thousands of years. Using ice cores, scientists can study the old air trapped in the ice, which unlocks mysteries of Earth’s environmental history. Researchers from the University of California Irvine present this webinar from NSF Summit Station, Greenland as they study historical changes in atmospheric levels of hydrogen using a newly drilled ice core from the Greenland ice cap. Because of the unique challenges posed by hydrogen’s small molecular size, the researchers are bringing their instruments to Greenland to analyze samples as soon as they are retrieved!

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.