July 21, 2014

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capital Today's Congressional Action:

The House is not in session. The Senate is expected to consider non-Arctic legislation.

Media

Fishing-Net Death Toll of Endangered Seals Rises in Finland. A seal pup belonging to a rare and endangered species found only in Finland has been killed after becoming entangled in a fishing net in Pihlajavesi in the east of the country. The incident brings this year's fishing-related death toll of Saimaa ringed seals, which have had protected status since 1955, up to six. The Saimaa ringed seal is one of the world's most endangered species of seal, with only about 310 animals currently alive. Alaska Dispatch News

Inu-it's The Economy, Stupid. Those unaware of the importance the quadrennial Inuit Circumpolar Council's General Assembly holds for Inuit should consider the case of Aleqa Hammond. In November, Hammond, Greenland's premier, invoked the wrath of the Greenlandic chapter of the ICC when her government stripped away the majority of the organisation's public funding starting this year, and then cutting it out of the national budget entirely starting in 2018. The feud has soured relations between ICC Greenland and Hammond's government. Nevertheless, Hammond, who is Inuit, confirmed earlier this month that she would be attending the four-day meeting, which officially gets under way in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, on Monday. Arctic Journal

Sweden Pushes for Tougher Russia Sanctions. The European Union and the United States decided Wednesday evening to strengthen sanctions on Russian interests, with a focus on the crisis in Ukraine. The Swedish prime minister says not all countries wanted tough sanctions. "Sweden has pushed for this, but other countries are not pushing. The important question is: What can 28 countries agree to?" Prime Minister Frederick Reinfeldt told Swedish Radio News. Alaska Dispatch News

US-Greenland Relations: They've Got a Friend in Washington. American diplomats are no strangers in Greenland. Take, for example, Rufus Gifford, the current ambassador to Copenhagen, which is responsible for diplomatic ties between Washington and the self-governing member of the Kingdom of Denmark. Gifford, who took office in September, made his third visit to Greenland this week. A fourth is planned for September. Arctic Journal

Canadian Inuit Officials Choose Herb Nakimayak as New VP for ICC Canada. Herb Nakimayak, 39, of Edmonton, will serve as the next vice president of international affairs for the Inuit Circumpolar Council's Canadian wing, following a decision made at an ICC Canada meeting July 19 in Inuvik. Nakimayak, who works for Raytheon as a site support manager for Raytheon's North Warning System contract, will on July 25 succeed Kirt Ejesiak of Iqaluit, who has served in the position since 2010. Nunatsiaq Online

Air Quality in Nunavut's Capital Now Failing Provincial Health Standard. The latest data collected on air quality in Iqaluit show that while fine particulate matter in the air, as a result of the burning dump, remains low, the levels of dioxins and furans are exceeding Ontario health standards. A July 18 news release from the Government of Nunavut's Department of Health says, "while long-term exposure to high levels of dioxins is known to increase cancer risk, the levels of dioxins observed in Iqaluit are far below the health standard for cancer." Nunatsiaq Online

ICC's Pan-Arctic Meetings Kick Off in Inuvik This Week. One of the largest Inuit-focused assemblies of the year kicks off in Inuvik, NWT. Canada will host the Inuit Circumpolar Council's pan-Arctic general assembly, which comes to Canada only once every 12 years, starting July 20. And ICC Canada president Duane Smith says the assembly has the potential to be "the most pivotal ever," given the unprecedented change seen in the Arctic region in recent years. Nunatsiaq Online

Worst Wildlife Season in Decades in Canada's Northwest Territories. The wildfire season continues to get worse in Canada's Northwest Territories. Already listed as the worst season for fires in memory, it's now estimated to be costing the territorial government Canadian $1 million (U.S. $931,000) a day to fight the fires. "What we are seeing in the Northwest Territories this year is an indicator of what to expect with climate change," says Mike Flannigan, a professor of Wildland Fire in the University of Alberta's renewable resources department. "Expect more fires, larger fires, more intense fires." Alaska Dispatch News

Rig Enters Uncharted Waters of Russian Political Storm. An ordinary, long-scheduled journey of an oil drilling rig into Arctic waters is turning into a major political exercise, attracting international scrutiny and creating a dilemma for ExxonMobil. Exxon, the top U.S. oil major and the world's most valued oil company, is bringing the rig, called West Alpha, from Norway to the Russian Arctic. It is hoping for a major discovery in the Kara Sea with Russian partner Rosneft. The journey has begun just as the United States has slapped the toughest sanctions yet on Russia, including on Rosneft, over escalating violence in Ukraine. Further sanctions are likely after the downing of a Malaysia Airlines' plane in eastern Ukraine. MaritimeExecutive

NASA Project to Check Out Summer Sea Ice. NASA is using a high-altitude, converted U2 spy plane to test technology over Arctic sea ice. KUAC reports the long-winged ER-2 jet is based in Fairbanks for three weeks for testing and developing technology for satellite applications. The three-week project using airborne laser technology will allow scientists to get a preview of a satellite mission NASA plans to launch in 2017. It's also a follow-up to a 2012 scan in Iceland using the laser technology, known as lidar. KUAC

Borough Approves Proposal for Port Authority. With increased vessel traffic and off-shore oil activity in the Arctic, the North Slope Borough has decided it's time to take action to protect its people, waters and investments. At a July 1 borough assembly meeting, an ordinance to create the North Slope Port Authority passed unanimously and will now be left up to voters in October's borough election. The move is historic, said Paul Fuhs, a consultant hired by the borough to facilitate the plan. The Arctic Sounder

Arctic Odyssey, Voyages of the R/V Sikuliaq. The UA Museum of the North presents a juried outdoor art exhibition featuring contributions in conjunction with the special exhibit Arctic Odyssey: Voyages of the R/V Sikuliaq. The art exhibit celebrates the theme of Arctic exploration via UAF's new oceangoing research vessel. University of Alaska Fairbanks

Legislative Action

No Arctic legislation was formally considered Friday.

Future Events

Implementing US Policy in the Arctic, July 23, 2014 (Washington, D.C.). The subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will host a hearing on implementing US policy in the Arctic. Several agency witnesses are expected to testify. Congressional hearing to be webcast live...

ICETECH 2014, July 28-31, 2014 (Banff, Alberta, Canada). The International Conference and Exhibition on Performance of Ships and Structures on Ice (ICETECH) is organized by the Arctic Section of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. The theme of the conference is performance of ships and structures in ice (icebreaking ships, ice resistant structures, and operations in ice) with emphasis and special sessions on looking to the future in a warming world. The conference will cover topics including:Global warming implications to Arctic ships and structures; Icebreaking ships, Naval Architecture, construction, and marine operations; Structures in ice/iceberg populated waters; Construction and logistics in ice-covered areas; Ice management; New offshore developments in ice-covered areas; Subsea pipelines and facilities in ice; Marine systems for offshore drilling and production operations in ice; Codes, regulations and standards; Ice conditions, forecasting and remote sensing; Safety, risk and environmental protection; Escape, Evacuation and Rescue (EER); and Arctic Geopolitics.

Alaska Policy Commission. August 26-27, 2014 (Kotzebue-Nome, Alaska).

The Alaska Arctic Policy Commission (AAPC) has more important work to do in 2014. The Commission will strive to gather public input and engage with Alaskan communities, state agencies, federal partners, and the international organizations working in the Arctic. In order to meet our goals AAPC will convene three in-person meetings over the course of 2014 and focus on implementation and final recommendations.

World Trade Center Alaska: Arctic Ambitions Trade Mission to Northern Europe, September 4-14, 2014 (Finland-Norway-Iceland). The Trade Mission will visit Northern and Arctic Europe starting September 4th in Finland and ending September 14 in Iceland, with an intermediary stop in Norway. The itinerary includes three days in each country and features visits to Arctic communities. Familiarization with Northern Europe's economies, and in particular commercial development in the Arctic, is the main goal of this trade mission. The participants will gain useful networking opportunities and a wealth of information on these three countries. For registration and information, please contact WTCAK at (907) 278-7233.

Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region, September 9-11, 2014 (Whitehorse, Canada). The Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region is a biennial conference for parliamentarians representing the eight Arctic countries and the European Parliament. The biennial conference is attended by representatives from the national parliaments of the Arctic states and the European Parliament. The Arctic indigenous peoples are permanent participants to the cooperation. Observers participate from governments and inter-parliamentary organizations as well as from observer states and relevant international organizations.

AOOS Film Contest, Submission Deadline September 15, 2014.

In celebration of its 10th Anniversary, Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS) is seeking short films highlighting Alaska's coast or oceans. AOOS welcomes films of any genre relating to the ocean (i.e. people using the ocean and coast, marine research, marine wildlife, ocean-related policy issues, etc). You don't need to be a professional to submit a film!

102nd US Arctic Research Commission Meeting, September 15-16, 2014 (Anchorage, Alaska, USA). The 102nd USARC meeting will be held in Anchorage. Additional information and schedule to follow.

2014 Week of the Arctic, October 6-11, 2014 (Nome, Kotzebue and Barrow, Alaska, USA). The Institute of the North will host the 2014 Week of the Arctic. The 2014 Week of the Arctic is a platform for community leaders, subject matter experts and interested stakeholders to learn about the Arctic while contributing to a growing list of priorities and perspectives. Presentations, roundtable discussions and workshops will be held in Nome, Kotzebue and Barrow. Throughout the week, presentations and interviews will be captured on video for distribution through social media and web-based sharing.

2014 FAMOS School and Workshop #3, October 21-24, 2014 (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 synthesize major results from the field studies and coordinated numerical experiments. The major themes of workshop include but not limited by studies focused on: predictions; Arctic observational and modeling initiatives; fate of sea ice in models and observations; atmospheric, sea ice and ocean dynamics; process studies and parameterizations; model validation and calibration; numerical improvements and algorithms; ecosystems, biological issues, and geochemistry.

Transatlantic Science Week 2014, October 27-28, 2014 (Toronto, Canada). The purpose of the annual Transatlantic Science Week (TSW) is to promote enhanced cooperation between Canadian, American and Norwegian stakeholders in research, innovation and higher education. TSW is an arena where different stakeholders can meet with the purpose of developing long-term collaborations or partnerships. The conference also hopes to strengthen the linkages that currently exist between the research and education domains. Finally, TSW also provides an excellent arena for dialogue between the research communities and policymakers.

Arctic Circle, October 31-November 2, 2014 (Reyjavik, Iceland).

The Arctic Circle is nonprofit and nonpartisan. Organizations, forums, think tanks, corporations and public associations around the world are invited to hold meetings within the Arctic Circle platform to advance their own missions and the broader goal of increasing collaborative decision-making without surrendering their institutional independence. The Arctic Circle will organize sessions on a variety of issues, such as: Sea ice melt and extreme weather; Polar law: treaties and agreements; The role and rights of indigenous peoples; Security in the Arctic; Shipping and transportation infrastructure; The prospects and risks of oil and gas drilling; Clean energy achievements and sustainable development; Arctic resources; Business cooperation in the Arctic; The role of Asian and European countries in the Arctic; Greenland in the new Arctic; Fisheries and ecosystem management; The science of ice: global research cooperation; Arctic tourism; The ice-dependent world: the Arctic and the Himalayas.

US- Canada Northern Oil and Gas Research Forum, November 4-6, 2014 (Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada). Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and the Canadian Polar Commission in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior, are hosting the fourth Canada - United States Northern Oil and Gas Research Forum. The Northern Oil and Gas Research Forum is a biennial meeting with representation from government, industry, academia, Aboriginal groups and Northerners from both Canada and the United States. The Forum provides an opportunity to discuss current and future priorities for northern oil and gas research. The Forum will showcase the value of northern research in support of sound decision-making for oil and gas management.

Alaska Policy Commission. November 13-14, 2014 (Anchorage, Alaska). The Alaska Arctic Policy Commission (AAPC) has more important work to do in 2014. The Commission will strive to gather public input and engage with Alaskan communities, state agencies, federal partners, and the international organizations working in the Arctic. In order to meet our goals AAPC will convene three in-person meetings over the course of 2014 and focus on implementation and final recommendations.

The Arctic Biodiversity Congress, December 2-4, 2014 (Trondheim, Norway). The Arctic Biodiversity Congress will present and discuss the main scientific findings of the ABA; facilitate inter-disciplinary discussion, action and status updates on the policy recommendations in the ABA; provide scientific, policy, management, NGO, academia, Indigenous peoples and industry audiences the opportunity to collaborate around the themes of the ABA; advise CAFF on national and international implementation of the ABA recommendations and on the development of an ABA Implementation Plan for the Arctic Council; highlight the work of CAFF and the Arctic Council on circumpolar biodiversity conservation and sustainable development; and, contribute to mainstreaming of biodiversity and ecosystem services, ensuring that the recommendations of the ABA are implemented by not just governments, but many organizations and people across disciplines.

Arctic Change 2014, December 8-12, 2014 (Ottawa, Canada). The international Arctic Change 2014 conference aims to stimulate discussion and foster collaborations among people with a vested interest in the Arctic and its peoples. Coinciding with the pinnacle of Canada's chairmanship of the Arctic Council and marking ArcticNet's 10th anniversary, Arctic Change 2014 welcomes researchers, students, Northerners, policy makers, and stakeholders from all fields of Arctic research and all countries to address the numerous environmental, social, economical and political challenges and opportunities that are emerging from climate change and modernization in the Arctic. With over 1000 participants expected to attend, Arctic Change 2014 will be one of the largest trans-sectoral international Arctic research conferences ever held in Canada.

Arctic Frontiers: Climate and Energy, January 18-23, 2015. The earth is in the midst of major climate changes. The Arctic is experiencing the impact of these changes more and faster than other parts of the globe. Processes starting in the Arctic may have deep and profound impacts on other parts of the globe. At the same time the Earth's population is rising and with it the global energy demand. New and greener energy sources are gaining market shares, but still the energy mix of the foreseeable future will have a substantial fossil component. The Arctic is expected to hold major oil and gas resources, while the regions green energy potentials are less explored. The Arctic Frontiers conference is a central arena for discussions of Arctic issues. The conference brings together representatives from science, politics, and civil society to share perspectives on how upcoming challenges in the Arctic may be addressed to ensure sustainable development. Arctic Frontiers is composed of a policy section and a scientific section.

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