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August 28, 2014


 

Arctic Waterway Safety Committee Organizational Meeting, August 28, 2014 (Anchorage, Alaska, and teleconference).

The US Department of Homeland Security and the US Coast Guard District 17 host an organizational meeting of the Arctic Waterway Safety Committee (AWSC). Topics include introductions and expectations; Arctic shipping overview and need for AWSC; subsistence and food security concerns; examples of effective waterway management initiatives; existing and proposed port authorities; and the Waterway Safety Committee. The meeting is from 8 am to 5pm Alaska time. Teleconference line (866) 742-8052, passcode 5667986

 

capital Today's Congressional Action:  

Most members have returned to their districts or states for the August recess. The Senate will hold pro forma sessions during August. The next roll call vote in the Senate is scheduled for September 8th. The House is also in recess until September 8th.

 

 

Media  

 

Meeting in Nome Attempts to Elucidate Arctic Policy Goals. The Alaska Arctic Commission has been working for more than a year and a half to write the state's first comprehensive arctic policy-a policy the commission hopes will lay out not just Alaska's future, but America's future, in the arctic. But with priorities ranging from international to extremely local, Tuesday's meeting in Nome saw lawmakers, researchers, and coastal representatives still working out just what that policy will be. Alaska Public Radio

 

Don't Eat the Brown Snow. Travellers to Greenland who have accepted a visit to the local 'chocolate factory' are likely to have sniffed out the joke even before arriving at their destination. That is because chocolate factory is a nickname for the pumping station where human refuse is flushed out to sea. The stench is overpowering. Nevertheless, it has long been argued that the practice did not present a health risk to humans, since it was assumed that the sewage was washed out to sea, where it broke down naturally. Arctic Journal

 

[Canadian] Defense Scientists in Arctic Conduct Sonar and Robotic Experiments. Scientists from Defense Research and Development Canada have been in the Arctic conducting various experiments. They are assessing the impact that low water temperatures have on the performance of various types of imaging sonars DRDC is involved in the Joint Arctic Experiment 2014. That focuses on the employment of unmanned and autonomous systems and communication systems. The experiment will be held at CFS Alert. Ottawa Citizen

 

Grizzly Bear Why Don't Hibernating Bears Get Osteoporosis? Bears have the right idea. Don't fight the cold; just shut 'er down for six months and emerge when its warmer. Why didn't we think of that? For one thing, our bones would wither. We'd all get osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become more fragile. Bears don't get osteoporosis, even though they hibernate for more than half the year in Alaska. What might we learn from this? Sit News

 

Coast Guard Research and Development Center, NOAA Test Unmanned Aircraft System During Arctic Exercise. Soaring high above the shifting ice and frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean, a silent sentinel patrolled the skies above the Coast Guard Cutter Healy during its journey to the Arctic this summer. While buoys and submersibles collected data from the briny deep, an Unmanned Aircraft System kept vigil in the frosty air. Scientists at the Coast Guard Research and Development Center, based in New London, Connecticut, have a long history of studying UAS for their potential to improve Coast Guard operations. DVIDS

 

Shell in Chukchi DNV GL's Arctic Map Shows Complex Risk Picture. The world's need for energy is driving interest in further industrial activity in the Arctic, yet the region's conditions are highly variable depending on the type of activity, location and time of year. This creates a complex risk picture. DNV GL, a technical advisor to the oil and gas industry, has therefore developed an interactive Arctic Risk Map to present the risks associated with offshore and maritime activities in the Arctic. The map aims to provide stakeholders with a comprehensive tool for decision-making and transparent communications. "The Arctic is not a monolithic area and the risk picture varies accordingly. Stakeholders therefore need a sound decision basis for understanding the risks associated with Arctic development and transportation. The DNV GL Arctic Risk Map can help facilitate transparent discussions to address the many dilemmas related to activity in the region," said Børre Paaske, project manager at DNV GL - Oil & Gas. MarineLink

Legislative Actionfutureevents  

 

No Arctic legislation was formally considered yesterday.

Future Events

  

Polar Code Meeting, August 29, 2014 (Anchorage, Alaska/ teleconference). The recent Polar Code meeting held in Seattle had a significant communications breakdown with a combination of wrong phone number and line static. To remedy this situation and gather your input, there will be a presentation on the Polar Code on August 29th in Anchorage, Alaska, on the day immediately following the Arctic Waterway Safety Committee organizational meeting. This meeting will also be held at the UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE, GORSUCH COMMONS, Room 106. Teleconference Number/Passcode: (866) 742-8054, Passcode 5667986 Additionally, copies of the presentations can be found on the public docket at: www.regulations.gov, at docket # USCG-2014-0515.

 

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. Draft agenda available here

 

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 (Reykjavik, 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 17-18, 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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