Arctic Update for April 10-21, 2017
Report Contains:
ARCUS Research Seminar Series Talk by Mia Bennett on Social and Economic Impacts of Arctic Transportation Infrastructure – Arctic Research Consortium of The U.S
Russian Foreign Policy – Council on Foreign Relations
Carbon Pricing and the future of global climate cooperation – Brookings Institute
Arctic News Roundup
The North American Arctic: Building a Vision for Regional Collaboration – The Wilson Center
hearing to Examine the United States’ Increasing Dependence on Foreign Sources of Minerals and Opportunities to Rebuild and Improve the Supply Chain in the United States – Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources
Oversight Hearing on ESA Consultation Impediments to Economic Development – House Committee on Natural Resources
Hearing to Examine the Potential for Infrastructure Improvements to Create Jobs and Reduce the Cost of Living Through All-Of-The-Above Energy and Mineral Production in Alaska – Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Broadband: Deploying America’s 21st Century Infrastructure – Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
Report: Arctic Imperative, Reinforcing U.S Strategy on America’s Fourth Coast – Council on Foreign Relations
State of the Coast Guard: Ensuring Military, National Security, and Enforcement Capability and Readiness – Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard
Dr. John Farrell, Executive Director of the U.S Arctic Research Commission, spoke at ARCUS headquarters in Washington, DC on Feb. 22, providing an overview of Arctic science and how science fits with policy and the new administration.
The dramatic changes in Arctic environmental conditions and their effect on lower latitude weather patterns was the subject of a public lecture hosted by the U.S. Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR) Program on Feb. 2. Stephen J. Varcus of the University of Wisconsin Madison discussed his recent work with Jennifer Francis of Rutgers University that asked the question: Is the Arctic meltdown contributing to extreme weather events around the world?
U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) spoke about the new Defense Department Arctic Strategy at CSIS on Jan. 24. The unclassified version has yet to be released, but the Senator talked the audience through much of its content.
The FY16 National Defense Authorization Act required the Department of Defense to write a new Arctic military defense plan in part to respond to recent Russian activity in the region.
Dr. Amy Merten, Chair of the Arctic Council’s Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR) Working Group and Chief of the Spatial Data Branch in NOAA’s Office of Response & Restoration, spoke about the working group’s accomplishments during an online seminar.
One of six Arctic Council working groups, EPPR addresses prevention, preparedness, response, and search and rescue (SAR) efforts for Arctic environmental emergencies, all with the goal of protecting the Arctic environment from pollution.
Alaska State Arctic Policy Advisor Craig Fleener spoke at the Arctic Research Commission of the U.S. headquarters about how he sees future Arctic policy and research.
In his talk about climate change, Christo Artusio, Director of the Office of Global Change in the U.S. State Department, said that the issue’s basic tenants will remain the same regardless of which political party controls the U.S. government, even though the overall message might change.
Artusio’s presentation was hosted by the Environmental Energy Study Institute. His office
handles U.S. government climate change negotiations and assists other nations in adapting to and mitigating climate change effects. Artusio has worked on climate negotiations under the past three presidents.
The participants in this panel discussion were Frank Verrastro, Senior Vice President & Chair for Energy and Geopolitics at CSIS, Christi Tezak, Managing Director for ClearView Energy Partners LLC, Adam Sieminski, Administrator for the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and Todd Stern, former U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change.