Canada plans to build a facility for its new drones in the Arctic, but will face more than its share of challenges in operating the aircraft in the far north, air force documents show. The Liberal government announced on Dec. 19 that Canada would buy 11 of the remotely piloted aircraft from a U.S. company for $2.5 billion.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy, one of the nation’s two operational icebreakers, has been forced to cancel an Arctic mission due to mechanical issues. The ship, which had just begun its summer patrol northwest of Alaska in the Chukchi Sea, experienced an electrical fire in an engineering space. The Coast Guard’s vice commandant, Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, discussed the Healy during a recent interview with the Brookings Institution. He said that of the Coast Guard’s $12.3 billion budget, about $10.5 billion is spent on operations while only $1.6 billion is spent on procurement. This has led to challenges keeping ships like the Healy mission-ready.

It is that time of year again for the second annual release of our ArcticDEM and REMA high-resolution digital elevation model (DEM) data strips. These strips, derived from Maxar imagery from 2023, capture specific dates and times, making them valuable for change detection and time series analysis.

In the sixth and last session of “Cooperation or Conflict in the Arctic: What to Do About Russia During a Climate Crisis?,” study group members learned about permafrost thaw and wildfires, two phenomena that are rapidly transforming the Arctic. We also discussed potential solutions to slow or stop the loss of permafrost, a massive source of carbon dioxide and methane, which, if current warming trends continue, will be released into the atmosphere, further exacerbating climate change. 

The Arctic Marine Research Capabilities Committee, a "Special Committee" recently established by UNOLS, will review and refresh the science missions and their associated requirements for any future federal Arctic icebreakers. The Committee, chaired by Dr. Carin Ashjian, includes scientists, engineers, technicians, and operators who have extensive experience in oceanographic scientific research in the Arctic. This committee’s work will ensure that the U.S. government has valuable information in hand when planning the conceptual design of future icebreakers. The committee will likely host an Arctic science community workshop to solicit input.

The AEF is held by the Arctic Energy Foundation (registered Non for Profit organization in Iceland) in collaboration with local organizers Arctic Portal and Alaska Center for Energy and Power, supported by and in collaboration with relevant leading Icelandic, USA and international partners. The AEF 2024 will review facts and discuss examples of best practices and solutions in energy and Green transitions through consulting and presentations for responsible energy solutions for Sustainable Nordic, Arctic, and Global Development. Emphasis will be on responsible energy use and utilization, not least renewable and green transition opportunities and solutions in smaller communities.

Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic and our Planet. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan.

ArcticNet's 5th International Arctic Change Conference (AC2024) brings together researchers from the natural, health, and social sciences to meet the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing Arctic region. This conference will push the boundaries of our collective understanding of the Arctic and strengthen our ability to address the issues of today and tomorrow. The Arctic Change Conference brings together a broad range of research in and about the Arctic and northern regions of Canada and the world. The AC2024 advances our collective understanding with an inclusive view of the North spanning from Inuit Nunangat, across the Canadian territories and provinces, circumpolar Arctic regions, and beyond.

Each year, AGU’s annual meeting, the largest gathering of Earth and space scientists, convenes 25,000+ attendees from 100+ countries to share research and connect with friends and colleagues. Scientists, educators, policymakers, journalists and communicators attend AGU24 to better understand our planet and environment, opening pathways to discovery, opening greater awareness to address climate change, opening greater collaborations to lead to solutions and opening the fields and professions of science to a whole new age of justice equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

The challenges of today go beyond deadlines decided by governments, territorial claims of oceans and lands, or borders drawn on a map. Addressing global issues requires collaborative efforts and swift decision-making. Dismantling the barriers between science, business, and policy is necessary to deepen communication and enhance our understanding of the pan-Arctic ecosystem. Modern challenges, such as the impacts of climate change, fostering sustainable development, and navigating political tensions, are deeply interconnected. Whilst the financial, societal, and environmental costs of the green transition will not be fairly distributed worldwide, the Arctic is part of the solution.

The Alaska Marine Science Symposium (AMSS), Alaska’s premier marine research conference, 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. Over 700 people attend this conference held annually during the month of January. Each day of the conference highlights important Alaskan marine ecosystems: Gulf of Alaska (Tuesday), Arctic (Wednesday), and the Bering Sea & Aleutian Islands (Thursday). Research topics discussed range from ocean physics, fishes and invertebrates, seabirds, marine mammals, to local traditional knowledge. Since its inception, NPRB has been a proud sponsor and one of the leading organizers of AMSS.

Arctic360’s Annual Event brings together Northern and Indigenous governments, institutions, and corporations; global finance; state leaders; mining, innovation, and other industry leaders; and Arctic experts from Canada and around the circumpolar North to advance the conversation and foster action for building a sustainable, peaceful, and prosperous Arctic region.

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.