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September 24, 2013
 

The Senate will continue debate on the Continuing Resolution passed by the House of Representatives last week. The House is in recess until tomorrow.

Media   

 

Arctic forum, Arctic weather. "Salekhard, the administrative center of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, hosts Russia's largest international Arctic conference, 'The Arctic - Territory of Dialogue', which opens today . The theme for this year's forum is 'Environmental Safety in the Arctic'. On the program are sessions on 'Environmental safety and health for the Arctic population', 'Legal regime for the Arctic environment protection', 'Climate, pollution, biodiversity', 'Environmental safety for the Arctic development'. Barents Observer is in Salekhard to cover the event." Barents Observer

 

Greenpeace Arctic oil protesters charged with piracy. "'Arctic Sunrise' arrived north of Murmansk Thursday after being town by a Coast Guard vessel the last few days from the waters near Russia only soon-to-drill rig Prirazlomnaya in the Pechora Sea. A source in the FSB's Border Guard Service says to Murmansk based news agency B-port that representatives from different Consulates will come to Murmansk to meet with their respective citizens that sails with the Greenpeace vessel. For the time being, 'Arctic Sunrise' is at anchor in the Kulonga Bay between Severomorsk and Murmansk. There are some 30 activists onboard 'Arctic Sunrise' from many different countries." Barents Observer

 

Blog: Norway's election result and the implications for the Lofoten Islands. "Regardless of whether Labour or the Conservatives dominate, oil will still be one of Norway's top priorities in the Arctic. But questions remain as to how exactly development will proceed. This election cycle, one of the most important and contentious issues was whether to carry out an environmental impact assessment (EIA) in the Lofoten and Vester�len Islands, where the Ministry of Oil and Energy has estimated a 95% probability of finding at least 76 million standard cubic meters of oil equivalents (Misund & Olesun, 2013)." Eye on the Arctic

 

Russia pioneers floating nuclear power plants. "The main task of the IAEA General Conference taking place in the middle of September is to set out specific plans for the development of the nuclear power industry on a global scale. 'We expect the conference to help set specific targets for the roll-out of new technology in the areas on nuclear power generation and nuclear safety,' Russia's permanent representative to Vienna-based international organizations, Vladimir Voronkov, said. These include, among other things, nuclear technology in the ocean environment - a key subject of Russian research into the use of nuclear energy sources."  Russia Beyond the Headlines

 

Arctic research station goes global. "Researchers across Canada and internationally are getting an up close view of what the bottom of the Arctic Ocean looks like thanks to a new observatory that's anchored just off the coast of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. The arctic observatory gives researchers a look at what conditions are like - everything from fish activity, underwater sounds, sea ice levels, water salinity, temperature, oxygen and chlorophyll levels are constantly monitored. And the beauty of the system is that it can be monitored online, from anywhere in the world." CBC

 

Russia's State Duma Deputy Maxim Shingarkin suggests joint Arctic environmental legislation. "State Duma Deputy Maxim Shingarkin proposes that all Arctic states should adopt common laws for environmental standards as the top of the world opens for oil drilling. In the mean-time, bureaucratic problems hinder cross-border oil-spill preparedness. Parliamentarians from across the circumpolar north met in Murmansk last Thursday to share solutions for common challenges in times of climate changes. The Standing Committee of 

Arctic Map

Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region comprises deputies from national parliaments of the Arctic states and observers from other Nordic cooperations, Indigenous peoples of the north and the European Union. The meeting in Murmansk was the 11th in a row since 1993. Discussing Arctic issues, just a week before scientists and government representatives are meeting in Stockholm to produce the latest review of climate change, naturally made up for the parliamentarians agenda in Murmansk. Environmental safety and climate challenges was discussed thoroughly among the Committee's members. The meeting took place at the conference hall of Marina Kovtun, Governor of Murmansk Oblast." Barents Observer

 

Arctic alpine plants may survive in 'micro refuges' as temperatures rise. "Arctic alpine plants may survive in small pockets of cold, disturbed ground even if rising temperatures drive them from the rest of their habitat, according to researchers. Typical Arctic alpine species, such as white Arctic mountain heather, mountain avens, and Diapensia lapponica, thrive in cold temperatures. But they are not as competitive or as responsive to changes in their environment as their lowland cousins. However, Miska Luoto of Finland's University of Helsinki says cold 'micro refuges' could stop the plants being swamped by crowberry, dwarf birch and juniper - more vigorous species that are set to move up hillsides and further north as climate warms. Luoto has spent three summers studying vegetation near Kilpisj�rvi in Lapland, around 300 km north of the Arctic Circle." The Guardian

Legislative Actionfutureevents  

  

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Technology - Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard will hold a hearing entitled "The Role of Certification in Rewarding Sustainable Fishing" today at 10:30 a.m.,in 253 Russell Senate Office Building. You can view it on the committee website

 

Witness Panel 1

* Mr. Samuel D. Rauch III Assistant Administrator (Acting) National Marine Fisheries Service

* Mr. Darren Blue Assistant Commissioner for Facilities Management & Services Program General Services Administration

 

Witness Panel 2

* Ms. Stefanie Moreland Special Assistant The Office of Governor Sean Parnell, State of Alaska

* Mr. Jeffrey Rice Senior Director, Sustainability Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

* Mr. Michael Montelongo Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Corporate Affairs Sodexo, Inc.

* Mr. John Connelly President National Fisheries Institute


Future Events

 

Pacific Rim Institute Panel Discussion: Environmental Permitting Process Risks and Efficiency, October 4, 2013 (Anchorage, Alaska). "Hosted by Pacific Rim Institute, the discussion brings together Alaska's regulating, regulated, science and NGO communities to identify realistic and achievable actions that could help sustain and enhance investment into responsible resource development projects while maintaining full compliance with environmental laws. The group will be asked to comment on the record of effectiveness, what is working well and what could be improved, to identify priorities and action items. Consistent with PRI's mission, the meeting aims to promote trust and to reduce uncertainly around regulatory risks by encouraging predictable, efficient, rigorous permitting process, while highlighting consequences of, what some may call, arbitrary or untimely decisions." 
 

 

The 2013 Arctic Energy Summit, October 8-10, 2013 (Akureyri, Iceland).
"The 2013 Arctic Energy Summit is a multidisciplinary event expected to draw together several hundred industry officials, scientists, academics, policymakers, energy professionals and community leaders to collaborate and share leading approaches on Arctic energy issues. Building on the work done at the highly successful 2007 Arctic Energy Summit and Technology Conference, the 2013 Summit will address energy extraction, production and transmission in the Arctic as it relates to three thematic areas: richness, resilience and responsibility.  The 2013 Summit will be hosted by the Institute of the North in cooperation with local host Arctic Portal."
 

 

The Inaugural Meeting of The Arctic Circle, October 12-14, 2013 (Reykjavik, Iceland). "The Arctic Circle, an open assembly for international cooperation on Arctic issues, will hold its first gathering October 12-14, 2013, at the Harpa Reykjav�k Concert Hall and Conference Centre in Reykjav�k, Iceland. This event will facilitate working meetings across issues and organizations and provide a forum for discussions hosted by different international and Arctic institutions. Agenda topics will include emerging topics of interest, such as sea ice melt and extreme weather, security, fisheries and ecosystem management, shipping and transportation infrastructure, Arctic resources and tourism."

 
International Forum on Polar Data Activities in Global Data Systems, October 15-16, 2013 (Tokyo, Japan). "The Forum will cover topics on effective polar data management, including submission of metadata and data, sharing of data to facilitate new interdisciplinary science, and long-term preservation and stewardship of data from a global viewpoint. Presentations on the successes and challenges encountered during IPY will highlight not only the best practices learned but also what must yet be done to ensure the data legacy of IPY. 

Presenters from all scientific disciplines are welcome, and interdisciplinary data management topics are 
especially encouraged. A significant outcome of the Forum will be the development of a new strategy and structure for the Arctic Data Coordination Network under the auspices of the Sustaining Arctic Observing Network (SAON), IASC, and the Arctic Council. Fruitful discussions between the polar data community (SC-ADM, NADC, and SAON) and WDS-oriented contributors on data management issues are expected to give new horizons on data management and to forge interdisciplinary relationships. In particular, a new plan for polar data archives, such as PIC cloud, is expected to be sufficiently promoted."

 

Draft Agenda 

 

Registration closes September 30.

  

The 2nd Forum for Arctic Modeling and Observational Synthesis (FAMOS Workshop) "School for Young Arctic Researchers," and "Arctic Scientists Workshop," October 21-25 2013 (Woods Hole, MA). "The Forum for Arctic Ocean Modeling and Observational Synthesis (FAMOS) is an international effort to focus on enhancing collaboration and coordination among arctic marine and sea ice modelers, theoreticians, and observationalists. This collaboration is based on a set of activities starting from generating hypotheses, to planning research including both observations and modeling, and to finalizing analyses synthesizing major results from the field studies and coordinated numerical experiments.  

 

The major themes of this year's workshop include, but are not limited by studies focused on:

  • Sea ice conditions (drift, thickness and concentration)
  • Atmospheric conditions and circulation regimes
  • Circulation of surface, Pacific and Atlantic water layers
  • State and future of freshwater and heat content
  • Horizontal and vertical mixing
  • Process studies and parameterizations
  • Model validation and calibration
  • Numerical improvements and algorithms
  • Ecosystems, biological issues, and geochemistry"

More info is available at the project's website: www.whoi.edu/projects/FAMOS 

  

17th Sitka WhaleFest: "Arctic Sea Change: What's Ahead?" October 31 - November 3, 2013, (Sitka, Alaska).
 "Sitka WhaleFest presents a unique science symposium blending local knowledge and scientific inquiry concerning the rich marine environment of our northern oceans. Surrounded by community and cultural activities, the weekend events include symposium lectures, interactive student sessions, marine wildlife cruises with scientists, a marine-themed artisan market, music, local foods, student art show, and a fun run/walk."

 

"The Arctic is changing. This is an indisputable fact. How the people and animals who depend upon the Arctic will adapt to change is an open question. How will narwhals and polar bears cope with less summer ice? Bowhead whales may have their world rocked when humpbacks, fins and other baleen whales begin - they already are - feeding in their backyard. The resource users of the Arctic will need to make adjustments and changes to live in this new world. Who will be the sea winners and sea losers? These are questions we will discuss with the experts who are passionate about the Arctic."
 

Workshop: Community Oil Spill Response in Bering and Anadyr Straits, November 7-8, 2013 (Anchorage, Alaska). "This workshop will bring together diverse stakeholders to learn more about and respond to community desires to be part of oil spill first-response efforts that help protect food security and other local resources; come to agreement on the multiple roles local community members can play in responding to oil spills; and create an action plan for moving forward on this topic. The workshop is sponsored by the Wildlife Conservation Society." 

 

Maritime & Arctic Security Conference (MAS13), November 12-13, 2013 (St. John's, NL, Canada). "For decades the Arctic has received increasing attention from the international community related to factors/considerations such as environmental, geopolitical, strategic, and security. More recently with shrinking Arctic ice leading to the pursuance of off-shore resources and the

opening of northern shipping routes, over a relatively short period of time we are seeing maritime security considerations start to blend with arctic security." 

 

"With a focus on Economic Development, Security and Public Safety, MAS13 will bring together organizations that play a key role in the execution of Maritime & Arctic Security: whether that role be Cultural, Research, Government Policy/Regulation, Education, Surveillance, Enforcement, and Technology Development/Application." 

 

Full Conference Agenda 


Alaska Water and Sewer Challenge Request for Proposals Released August 15.  The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Village Safe Water announces a research and development effort to seek better and more affordable methods to deliver drinking water and sewage disposal services to communities in rural Alaska. The three-month long, international solicitation calls for individuals from a variety of diverse fields - engineering, science and research, behavioral science, and innovative design - to organize as teams and submit Statements of Qualifications. Up to six of the top ranked teams will be funded to develop proposals over a six month period next year. Future phases of the project include building prototypes and testing them in lab and field settings. 

 

For more information about the project please: 

 

 


Arctic Cities, Global Processes, and Local Realities, December 2-4, 2013 (Rovaniemi, Finland).
 "The conference is organized jointly by the City of Rovaniemi and the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland, Finland. The goal of the conference is to present the latest scientific research and knowledge about the global processes as they become local realities. Even if the Conference is scientific in orientation, it aims to bridge science and knowledge into action by bringing top scholars to share their research results, and to organize joint discussion with the leaders of the Arctic Cities. Sessions include: Rovaniemi Process: past, present, future; Arctic responses to global environmental problems; people and extractive industries; tourism in the Arctic; the Arctic in global economy; climate change in the Arctic; indigenous peoples in cities; and, Arctic global flows. Cross-cutting themes include: Arctic cities and global processes; management and governance in the Arctic; and, Arctic together with non-Arctic."

Association of American Geographers Polar Geography Sessions, April 8-12, 2014. Tampa, Florida. Polar Geography Sessions are being planned in areas such as Sustainable Development in the Arctic, Urbanization and Transportation in the Arctic, etc. Contact Scott Stephenson (stephenson@ucla.edu) for more information, and see attached flyer. 

 

Arctic Science Summit Week April 5-8, 2014 and Arctic Observing Summit, April 9-11, Helsinki, Finland. ASSW is a gathering for Arctic research organizations. Any organization engaged in supporting and facilitating arctic research is welcome to participate. The ASSW meeting in 2014 will be arranged during April 5-8 in Helsinki Kumpula Campus, in the facilities of FMI and Physics Department of the University of Helsinki. Second circular here

 

International Congress of Arctic Social Sciences, May 22-26, 2014 (Prince George, British Columbia). "The International Arctic Social Sciences Association (IASSA) announces the 8th International Congress of Arctic Social Sciences (ICASS VIII).  ICASS is held every three years, bringing together people from all over the world to share ideas about social science research in the Arctic. ICASS VII, held in Akureyri in June 2011, attracted 450 participants from 30 different countries.  ICASS VIII's theme is Northern Sustainabilities. By using the plural, we underscore both that "sustainability" has social, cultural, economic, political and environmental dimensions, and that definitions of the concept vary."

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