This past winter, researchers from the Center for Earth Observation Science (CEOS) at the University of Manitoba (UM) completed the first-ever controlled oil spill experiment at the Churchill Marine Observatory (CMO). This was a major milestone in a larger effort to understand how oil behaves in the Arctic, and how Arctic microbes might help clean it up.

Some coastal wolves in Alaska have toxic levels of mercury in their bodies after shifting from a terrestrial diet of deer and moose to a marine diet heavy with sea otters, new research finds. Mercury is a naturally occurring heavy metal found in the Earth’s crust. However, human activities like burning coal and fossil fuels release mercury into the atmosphere, where it can travel hundreds of miles from its source.

Recently published by Yale University Press, a comprehensive history of U.S. involvement in the Arctic, from the American Revolution through the acquisition of Alaska to the present day. What drives American foreign relations in the Arctic? It is difficult to give a unified answer to this question because most histories of the region are divided between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Asian and European strategic interests, or federal government and Indigenous peoples’ concerns, making it difficult to understand the connections among the environmental challenges, scientific understandings, strategic calculations, and governance relationships. Most Americans do not think of their country as an Arctic power, yet it is a region where the United States has had important ties throughout its history. 

Arctic Encounter, North America’s leading conference on Arctic policy and business, annually gathers over 1,000 participants from more than two dozen countries. As a nonprofit NGO, Arctic Encounter convenes and hosts dialogues and policy debates. Hosted in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, the event offers participants a unique blend of arts, culture, and critical discussions, contributing to a deeper understanding of Arctic challenges and opportunities.

Sitka WhaleFest celebrates marine life through science, art, culture, and adventure. Attendees of all ages and backgrounds leave WhaleFest with a deeper connection to the ocean. The core of Sitka WhaleFest is the three-day Science Symposium, where scientists and knowledge-bearers share the latest research and learning about marine life. This symposium is for everyone: speakers highlight the relevance and accessibility of their knowledge to people from all walks of life.

The Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies invites you to save the date for the Anchorage Security and Defense Dialogue, a key event bringing together thought leaders, defense experts, and Arctic stakeholders for critical discussions on the evolving security landscape in the circumpolar North. Held during the week before Thanksgiving, this dialogue will take place in Anchorage and serve as a platform for timely conversations on Arctic strategy, national security, and international cooperation. Stay tuned for event details and registration information on the Ted Stevens Center website.

Every year, AGU’s Annual Meeting convenes >25,000 attendees from 100+ countries to share scientific findings and make connections. Researchers, scientists, educators, students, policymakers, exhibitors, journalists and communicators attend AGU’s Annual Meeting to better understand our planet and environment, and our role in preserving its future. It is a results-oriented gathering rooted in celebrating and advancing positive individual and collective outcomes.