Denmark continued to strengthen its Arctic and North Atlantic security focus this month with the announcement of five new defense attaché positions, including one in Canada. Denmark’s Ministry of Defense said Ottawa and Copenhagen’s shared interests in places like the Arctic made Canada a natural choice to be among first five new positions announced.

“Climate change is occurring faster in the Arctic than anyplace on Earth,” said University of Maine associate professor of glaciology Seth Campbell. “And with that, there opens a whole range of concerns.” Campbell is the lead scientist on a new $260,000 research partnership between UMaine and the Department of the Air Force (DAF) to improve the nation’s ability to monitor Arctic regions. Reduction of ice in the Arctic Ocean raises questions about accessibility to the once-frozen waters. 

On April 12, Russian news outlet Izvestiya reported that sources in the Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) are saying that Moscow plans to build a network of drone bases along its entire Arctic coast. The goal of this endeavor is to monitor foreign activity along the Northern Sea Route (NSR) and the largely unpopulated Russian Far North. Such a network would also counter any challenge to Russia in the Arctic.

Plastics are creating life-threatening issues in the Arctic, according to a new report by the International Pollutants Elimination Network. "Arctic is warming at a rate of about four times faster than the rest of the planet. So, this is now bringing in chemicals and plastics more quickly into the Arctic," explained Pam Miller, Co-chair of the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN). 

No deal on joint Arctic navy exercises, but Russia and China agree on search and rescue cooperation on the world’s oceans. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) stipulates for expanded cooperation in the field of search and rescue (SAR) at sea, the Russian Defense Ministry informs.

Organizers seek nominations for individuals interested in serving on the UNOLS Arctic Marine Research Capabilities Committee. The committee will consist of:

1. Up to 12 people
2. Chair – an academic researcher
3. 8-9 members from the research vessel user community including international membership and disciplinary balance.
4. 3-4 Technical / Operational Experts (naval architects, R/V operators, and R/V Technical Support personnel).

Self-nominations are strongly encouraged.  If you are interested in representing community perspectives on current and emerging needs for polar research, we urge you to apply for membership on the AMRCC.  Applicants or nominees should submit a brief statement of interest in serving on AMRCC along with a CV to the UNOLS Office by email <office@unols.org>. Please include information about your sea-going and/or polar experience.  Statements of Interest and CVs are requested by April 28, 2024.  Appointments will be made in a manner to achieve a balance of expertise in the different scientific disciplines and technical areas.  Committee members will be formally appointed by the UNOLS Chair.  

The war in Ukraine has accelerated cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic region. Join Harvard Kennedy School’s Arctic Initiative for a discussion on the limits of that cooperation and the implications for the security of the Arctic states and the green transition.

We see bumble bees each summer but who are they and what do we know about them? Hailey and Leah will share results of their 2021 bee survey along Nome’s road system. Come learn more about natural history, distribution, nesting behaviors, and more(!) of our busy summer neighbors.

Join Harvard Kennedy School’s Arctic Initiative and the Arctic Mayors’ Forum for a discussion with practitioners and experts exploring how Arctic cities are implementing innovative waste management approaches, including circular economy strategies, to address pollution and create cleaner, more sustainable places to live.

This event is hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage and the American Society of Civil Engineers. The Conference will connect engineers, academics, and cold regions experts from various disciplines to share their knowledge and experience. The conference theme is Sustainable and Resilient Engineering Solutions for Changing Cold Regions. The conference is organized around daily plenary and multi-tracked technical sessions, ethics, and hands on opportunities in with the new Arctic Environmental and Engineering Data and Design Support System (EDS).

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.