AWRA's mission is to advance multidisciplinary water resources education, management, and research. The annual conference is an opportunity for collaboration among physical, biological, and social scientists, engineers, and students concerned with water resource research, planning, development, management, and education. The intention is that this will be a hybrid conference. We highly encourage all who can to attend in person.

Recent rapid Arctic sea ice loss was documented as combined results from anthropogenic forcing and climate system internal variability. However, the role of internal variability is not well understood. Here, we propose that the Asian-Pacific Oscillation (APO), an intrinsic atmospheric mode featuring out-of-phase variations in upper-tropospheric temperatures between Asia and the North Pacific, is one driver for autumn sea ice variability in the eastern Arctic. The positive summer APO favors warming of the mid-latitude North Atlantic sea surface temperatures. This warming persists to autumn and in turn triggers strong anticyclonic anomalies over the Barents-Kara-Laptev Seas and weak lower-tropospheric cyclonic anomalies over the East Siberian Sea, enhancing moisture transport into the eastern Arctic. Such changes consequently increase lower-tropospheric humidity, downwelling longwave radiation, and surface air temperature in the eastern Arctic, thereby melting sea ice. Hence, a recent tendency of the summer APO towards the positive phase accelerates autumn sea ice loss in the eastern Arctic.

The International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee has approved the establishment of two new Emission Control Areas (ECAs) in Canada’s Arctic waters and the Norwegian Sea. The ECAs, proposed by both Canada and Norway, were endorsed by IMO member states during last week’s MEPC 81 meeting. The primary aim of these ECAs is to reduce emissions such as sulphur oxides (SOx), particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from international shipping.

When large numbers of gray whales began washing up along North America's Pacific Coast nearly six years ago, marine scientists could only speculate on the reason: Was it disease? Ocean pollution? Increasing ship collisions? Many of the doomed cetaceans looked skinny or emaciated, while others looked torn up by orcas. Some had clearly died after being struck by a ship, or getting entangled in fishing gear. Still others provided no discernible clues.

A case study on the effects of open waste burning on air quality in Northwestern Greenland calls attention to the importance of no-one-left-behind sustainable air quality monitoring in the Arctic region. To better understand the air quality risks faced by remote Arctic communities, an international team monitored aerial pollutants at a community in Northwestern Greenland. Their findings, published in Atmospheric Science Letters, reveal that open waste burning elevates the concern of health risks to the community.

Ocean-atmosphere coupling, the exchange in energy between the ocean and atmosphere, influences teleconnection patterns, the climate effects across vast geographical areas. However, its impact outside the tropics is unclear. A group of researchers examined the effect of ocean coupling on atmospheric circulation patterns in the Northern Hemisphere. They found that extratropical ocean-atmosphere coupling enhances teleconnection patterns and causes more meandering westerly jet streams, which are linked to extreme weather events.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.