Arctic policy of the United States

Landmark international agreement enters into force-legally prohibiting unregulated commercial fishing in the Central Arctic Ocean

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 25, 2021
Regions, Arctic, Hemispheres of Earth, Physical geography, International relations, Geography of North America, Geography of Siberia, Arctic policy of the United States, Geopolitics of the Arctic

OTTAWA, ON, June 25, 2021 /CNW/ - With climate change causing Arctic ice to melt at an alarming pace, the central Arctic Ocean is now opening up to increased international interest, including the potential for commercial fishing and shipping activity.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, June 25, 2021 /CNW/ - With climate change causing Arctic ice to melt at an alarming pace, the central Arctic Ocean is now opening up to increased international interest, including the potential for commercial fishing and shipping activity.
  • As of today, under the Agreement, no commercial fishing can take place in the central Arctic Oceanuntil parties have a greater scientific understanding of the area and its ecosystem and measures are in place to regulate commercial fisheries.
  • The Arctic and its future is a priority for the Government of Canada and for Arctic Indigenous Peoples.
  • This Agreement shows leadership from Canada and its partners for responsible stewardship of the central Arctic Ocean.

Parvati Foundation Leads Arctic Free To Save The World

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, April 17, 2021
Physical geography, Earth sciences, Earth, Climate change, Sea ice, Arctic research, Arctic Ocean, Oceans, Arctic, Geopolitics of the Arctic, Arctic policy of the United States

That\'s why Parvati Foundation has launched " Arctic Free ".\nThe Arctic Ocean is our world\'s air conditioner and life support system, regulating the weather patterns that give all of us the food and water we need to survive.

Key Points: 
  • That\'s why Parvati Foundation has launched " Arctic Free ".\nThe Arctic Ocean is our world\'s air conditioner and life support system, regulating the weather patterns that give all of us the food and water we need to survive.
  • According to the National Snow & Ice Data Center, during March, Arctic sea ice extent tracked well below average.
  • MAPS establishes the Arctic Ocean north of the Arctic Circle as the world\'s largest permanent marine protected area, free from all exploitation and militarization.
  • Demand action for a healthy world by going Arctic Free.

Arctic and High North (Militarization) - 2020 Thematic Research - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 30, 2020
Research, Science, Northern Hemisphere, Regions, Geography of North America, Arctic, International relations, Politics of Russia, Arctic policy of the United States, Climate of the Arctic

The "Arctic and High North (Militarization) - Thematic Research" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Key Points: 
  • The "Arctic and High North (Militarization) - Thematic Research" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
  • This report focuses on the militarization of the Arctic and High North.
  • After a short period of stagnation in the wake of the cold war, Arctic countries, especially Russia, have been enhancing their military activities.
  • The increasing great power competition and threat perceptions in the Arctic region have forced Arctic countries to increase their defense expenditures.

Arctic Wolf Security Operations Report: Corporate Credentials Exposed on Dark Web Up Over 400 Percent

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Data management, Security, Technology, Other Technology, Software, Networks, Data security, Articles, Regions, Cyberwarfare, Cryptography, Information governance, Arctic, Geography of North America, Computer security, Arctic policy of the United States

Arctic Wolf , the leader in security operations, today announced the release of its 2020 Security Operations Report .

Key Points: 
  • Arctic Wolf , the leader in security operations, today announced the release of its 2020 Security Operations Report .
  • Using data collected from the Arctic Wolf Platform and real-world experiences from the Arctic Wolf Concierge Security Team, the Arctic Wolf Security Operations report quantifies key security operations data from the thousands of environments protected by Arctic Wolf.
  • The Arctic Wolf Security Operations Report is designed to share our security operations insights and recommendations with the industry so that any organization can take the steps they need to reduce their cyber risk and improve their overall security posture.
  • The complete Arctic Wolf Security Operations Report, which includes additional key findings and recommendations on how organizations can be more effective in their security operations, can be downloaded from www.arcticwolf.com .

International Environmental Fund «Clean Seas»: Polar bears will be counted In the Russian Arctic

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Mammals, Animals, Continents, Arctic research, Arctic, Geography of North America, Polar bear, Arctic policy of Russia, Arctic policy of the United States

MOSCOW, July 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting from the 1-st of August, in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation will be held test flight counting of polar bears.

Key Points: 
  • MOSCOW, July 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting from the 1-st of August, in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation will be held test flight counting of polar bears.
  • The expedition is organized within the framework of the project "Host of the Arctic", initiated by Federal service for supervision of natural resources of the Russian Federation (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) and International Environmental Fund "Clean seas", with participation of "Arctic Initiatives" Foundation.
  • During the project implementation it is planned to explore the coastal areas from Yamal to Taimyr, to conduct trial flight counting of polar bears and marine mammals, and to assess the overall environmental situation in the Russian Arctic.
  • International Environmental Fund Clean Seas unites people who understand the ecological responsibility for the preservation of the water environment of our Planet.

Government of Canada releases first report on the state of the marine ecosystems in the Canadian Arctic

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Physical geography, Arctic research, Americas, Eskimos, Inuit, Arctic, Arctic policy of Canada, Arctic policy of the United States

Together with Inuit and Northern partners, the Government of Canada is working to better understand the Arctic Ocean, sea ice and the complex ecosystems they support.

Key Points: 
  • Together with Inuit and Northern partners, the Government of Canada is working to better understand the Arctic Ocean, sea ice and the complex ecosystems they support.
  • Canada's State of the Ocean reports are summaries of the current status and trends of marine ecosystems in Canada's three oceans.
  • It includes current knowledge and trends for Canadian Arctic marine ecosystems based on scientific findingsand Inuit knowledge.
  • This report on Canada's Arctic marine ecosystems is an important step in protecting the Arctic marine environment, our communities, and our culture."

Canada ratifies landmark international agreement to prevent unregulated fishing in the central Arctic Ocean

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Physical geography, Geography, Arctic, International relations, Sea, Arctic policy of the United States, Arctic cooperation and politics

That is why today the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Sean Casey, announced that Canada has ratified the historic Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean.

Key Points: 
  • That is why today the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Sean Casey, announced that Canada has ratified the historic Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean.
  • This is the first international agreement of this magnitude to be reached before any commercial fishing has taken place in a high seas area.
  • The Agreement also provides for the participation and inclusion of Arctic Indigenous peoples and their communities, recognizing the critical value of their local knowledgein the conservation of the Arctic Ocean.
  • That is why we were at the forefront of the negotiations for this historic agreement to protect the central Arctic Ocean.

UK support for oil and gas exploitation in the Arctic incompatible

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Physical geography, Northern Hemisphere, Hemispheres of Earth, Arctic, International relations, Politics of Russia, Arctic policy of the United States, Arctic resources race

Environmental Audit Committee publish report on the Changing Artic

Key Points: 
  • The Committee recommends that ministers should acknowledge incompatibility with climate agreements and set out plans to press members of the Arctic Council to adopt a similar approach.
    • Effects of climate change in the Arctic of global concern and global responsibility, concludes Committee
    • Arctic sea ice is at its lowest level since records began
    • Billions of plastic particles currently frozen in Arctic sea ice risk being released into the ocean
    • Government response to this urgent issue must be bolstered with measures and targets


    The UK’s support for exploitation of oil and gas reserves in the Arctic is incompatible with its international commitments, including the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), says the Environmental Audit Committee.

    Chair's Comments

    • If there is anywhere in the world that the principles of sustainable development should apply, it is the Arctic.
    • The Government should start by acknowledging the incompatibility of its support for oil and gas exploitation with its climate change commitments.
    • The acidification and Atlantification of the Arctic Ocean are causes for significant concern as they threaten marine wildlife and global climate patterns. Additionally, one trillion plastic particles frozen into Arctic sea ice could be released into the ocean through accelerated melting. The Committee believes environmental change in the Arctic is a global concern and a global responsibility and is calling on the Government to:
      • Strengthen its emissions targets in line with its obligations under the Paris Climate Agreement and the Climate Change Act. This should include setting a net-zero target by 2050 at the very latest. While ‘known unknowns’ remain, scientific research has made great strides in understanding environmental changes in the Arctic. The Government should increase funding and support to UK scientists.
      • Commit funding to research the potential consequences to human populations of loss of transport infrastructure and traditional food sources.
      • Set out a clear timeline for a comprehensive plan to reduce UK plastic pollution.
      • Set a series of adaptation targets for the next iteration of UK Arctic policy within the next twelve months.
      • Arctic weather patterns can cause extreme weather in the UK. Research being undertaken by the Met Office should feed into National Adaptation Programmes.
      • Set targets to protect Arctic biodiversity, which is crucial for ecosystems around the world in line with SDG 15.
    • The UK is the fourth largest producer of Arctic research papers in the world and operates an Arctic research station in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard. However, the Committee believes that the UK’s research approach needs to evolve to reflect the complexity of social and environmental change in the Arctic. The Committee recommends:
      • UK Arctic research is world leading but it is disappointing that its infrastructure in the Arctic is modest compared to Antarctica. BEIS should significantly increase funding for Arctic research infrastructure and the Government should outline a plan for doing so.
      • The framework for Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) programmes should be expanded to provide the same level of coordinated research for other important emerging issues.
      • To remain a world-class leader in Arctic research, the UK will need to move towards a multidisciplinary approach, which includes the social sciences and brings research together from across research councils.
      • The Government should allocate specific funds for an Arctic project within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) which would enable collaboration between the Economic and Social, Arts and Humanities and Natural Environment Research Council.
      • There is uncertainty about UK research funding post-Brexit. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office should make the case for securing funding for Arctic research to the Treasury and to BEIS. The UK should seek the current level of collaboration and coordination with the EU when negotiating its future relationship.
    • The UK has been a State Observer to the Arctic Council, the forum for Arctic matters, since 1998. Although the UK is a long-standing Observer, the Committee heard that international interest in the Arctic brings a fresh challenge to the UK’s claim as a near-Arctic state. The Committee recommends:
      • The Arctic Council is the most important international forum for Arctic matters and the UK is a long-standing Observer but should provide more clarity over its intentions over the next ten years.
      • The UK should be more transparent about its work with the Arctic Council. The significant increase in the number of State Observers to the Arctic Council since 2013 brings fresh challenge to the UK’s claim as a “near Arctic State”.
      • The Government should ensure that there are UK representatives at all important Arctic science meetings and scientific forums.
      • While the Foreign and Commonwealth Office leads on coordinating Arctic policy, it has not been able to articulate the UK’s position on a number of key issues affecting the Arctic which is concerning given that is represents the UK at the Arctic Council. In order to influence the Arctic Council, the UK must have a coordinated policy led by the FCO.
      • The Government further considers the recommendations by the House of Lords Select Committee on the Arctic in 2015, and the House of Commons Defence Committee in 2018, that the UK should appoint a special representative, ambassador, or envoy to the Arctic to play a co-ordinating role, in support of the Polar Regions Department and the Minister.
    • The Committee heard that the loss of sea ice in the Arctic creates new economic and social opportunities, but that if this is not managed correctly, the consequences could be dire. Tourism and shipping in the Arctic have increased in recent years as new shipping routes open up, and the Committee is concerned that the UK Government may only be paying lip service to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, rather than using them to guide and evaluate its approach to the Arctic. The Committee recommends:
      • The UK has a responsibility to ensure that commercial opportunities are guided by the principle of sustainable development. The UK has identified three SDGs relevant to the Arctic, but the Minister for the Polar Regions was not able to explain how the SDGs applied in an Arctic context, nor how their implementation is audited.
      • Not only is exploration for oil and gas incompatible with the SDGs, it is also incompatible with the UK’s commitment to the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement. The Government should consider ending its encouragement of UK businesses to explore oil and gas opportunities in the Arctic.
      • As the ice melts, the opportunities for shipping increase. The Committee is concerned about the risk of oil spills, higher carbon emissions and plastic pollution. The Polar Code should be amended to deal with these risks and the threat to human and wildlife populations.
      • The Government should press the International Maritime Organisation to ban heavy fuel oils as soon as is technologically feasible, and the UK should push the IMO to designate the Arctic as a special sensitive area.
      • Arctic tourism can bring benefits if managed correctly. However, tourism can contribute to the degradation of the environment and very large cruise ships are overwhelming communities and heighten the risk of plastic pollution and rights to wildlife. The UK should work with the Arctic Council towards a ban on cruise ships carrying more than 500 passengers.

    • Government of Canada introduces legislation for responsible co-management of Arctic resources

    Retrieved on: 
    Thursday, November 8, 2018
    Offshore drilling, Petroleum production, Arctic, International relations, Arctic policy of the United States, Northern Hemisphere

    This legislation seeks to repeal parts of the 2014 legislation that were challenged in court.

    Key Points: 
    • This legislation seeks to repeal parts of the 2014 legislation that were challenged in court.
    • By listening to Northerners, the Government is ensuring that policies better reflect their interests and their realities.
    • The changes would also allow the Government to establish a path forward for the strategic management of Arctic offshore oil and gas resources in collaboration with partners.
    • Partners in the North have been clear that they want to be involved in the management of Arctic offshore oil and gas resources, and the Government has listened.

    Canada Strengthens Support for Contaminants Research and Monitoring in the North

    Retrieved on: 
    Thursday, November 1, 2018
    Environmental science, Arctic research, Water, Arctic policy of the United States

    More research means that individuals and communities can make informed decisions in their food use.

    Key Points: 
    • More research means that individuals and communities can make informed decisions in their food use.
    • This funding supports research and monitoring of contaminants in the Canadian Arctic, including support for the involvement of northern Indigenous partners in this important work.
    • Our continued support for scientific research on contaminants helps Northerners, particularly Indigenous communities, make informed decisions about the foods they harvest and eat."
    • The Northern Contaminants Program supports research and monitoring of contaminants that are transported to the Arctic through atmospheric and oceanic processes from other parts of the world, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs), heavy metals (particularly mercury), and other chemicals of concern for Arctic regions.