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Category: News & Press Releases

Arctic Portal News Portlet

  • Iceland and Norway advertise funds

    Iceland and Norway advertise funds

    Ducks swimming in Reykjavík pond

    The foreign ministries of Iceland and Norway have established two funds as a part of their cooperation in the field of Arctic studies and Arctic scientific research.

    The ministers of foreign affairs signed a three year Memorandum of Understanding in Akureyri on September 29, 2011, concerning co-operation. It indicated key activities, including the establishment of a Nansen Professorship in Arctic Studies at the University of Akureyri, Norwegian and Icelandic Arctic Science Cooperation Fund and Exchange scholarships for Icelandic and Norwegian Students in Arctic Studies.

    Exchange scholarships for Icelandic and Norwegian Students in Arctic Studies are one of the key activities in this co-operation. The purpose of the exchange scholarship program is to encourage the exchange of students between higher education institutions in Norway and Iceland in the field of Arctic science.

    Students at all levels (bachelor, master, doctoral) can apply if they are enrolled at Icelandic and Norwegian higher educational institutions. Priority will be given to Master and Ph.D. students and students wishing to study at Norwegian and Icelandic universities that are members of the University of the Arctic network.

    The purpose of the science fund is to encourage scientific cooperation between higher education institutions, research organizations and research groups in Norway and Iceland in the field of Arctic science or other activities as decided by the joint Icelandic-Norwegian Committee. Grants are awarded for travel and accommodation cost in relation to the participation of individuals or groups in scientific conferences and/or joint meetings in Norway and Iceland. In this context Arctic science encompasses research, monitoring, education and dissemination of knowledge that relate to both distinctive and common denominators of nature, culture, economy and history of the Arctic region with a bilateral and/or international perspective.

    More information can be found here.

    Sources

    Arctic Studies

    Foreign Ministry of Norway

    Foreign Ministry of Iceland

  • Nominations for Antarctica prize open

    Nominations for Antarctica prize open

    Penguins in Antarctica

    Nominations for a prestigious prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica are now open.

    The “Martha T. Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica” is a US$ 100,000 unrestricted award presented to an individual in the fields of Antarctic science or policy who has demonstrated potential for sustained and significant contributions that will enhance the understanding and/or preservation of Antarctica.

    The Prize is inspired by Martha T. Muse’s passion for Antarctica and is intended to be a legacy of the International Polar Year 2007-2008.

    The prize-winner can be from any country and work in any field of Antarctic science or policy. The goal is to provide recognition of the important work being done by the individual and to call attention to the significance of understanding Antarctica in a time of change.

    A website with further details, including the process of nomination, closing date and selection of the Prize recipients is available at www.museprize.org.

    The Prize is awarded by the Tinker Foundation and administered by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).

    Source

    Muse Prize

  • Climate conference seeks abstracts

    Climate conference seeks abstracts

    Downtown Akureyri

    The conference Climate Change in Northern Territories is calling for abstracts. The conference is held in Akureyri, Iceland, in august. The ESPON/ENECON and NRF Open Assembly organize the conference, hosted by the University of Akureyri.

    This is the 2nd call for abstracts for general participation and young researchers. The deadline for submission is the 28th of February, but for young researchers the deadline is 15th of March. The abstracts are to be submitted to nrf@unak.is.

    Further information for young researchers.

    The idea is that this conference will bring together researchers which have similar background but have been focusing on different problems and situations and applied different methodological approaches. Regional and local stakeholders as well as state politicians and policymakers are also target groups for the conference.

    Subthemes are:

    • Territorial socio – economic impacts of climate change
    • Methodologies for assessing socio-economic impact
    • Adaptation to climate change in regions and local communities – examining methods and sharing knowledge

    You will find more information concerning the central theme here.

    Source

    NRF

  • EU Arctic preparatory project

    EU Arctic preparatory project

    Ny Alesund in Svalbard

    The European Commission has selected a consortium led by the Arctic Centre, University of Lapland (Rovaniemi, Finland) to carry out an one million euro project* to produce a “Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment of development of the Arctic”. The project will last eighteen months during 2013–2014.

    The consortium known as the EU Arctic Information Centre Initiative comprises an international network of currently 19 leading Arctic research and outreach institutions from the various European Union member states, and the EEA countries.

    Arctic Portal is a partner in the project.

    The preparatory project is a first step to strengthen communication and outreach within the EU and between the EU and the Arctic community about the contribution the EU is making to address environmental and other issues raised by the rapid development of the Arctic region as a result of economic and climate change.

    It provides a platform to test the effectiveness, functionality and sustainability of the proposal by the consortium to establish an EU Arctic Information Centre. The proposed EU Arctic Information Centre would aim to facilitate information exchange between the EU institutions, Arctic stakeholders and the general public.
    The possibility of the EU Arctic Information Centre has been expressed in various EU Commission, Council and Parliament Arctic papers since 2008. The Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland made a concrete initiative of the network model in 2009.

    The project will also enhance the use of impact assessment and its importance as a tool and a channel to put together information for the use of decision- and policy-makers and the related legal processes.

    “The key idea of the Preparatory Action project is to create an efficient application of science-based information and its fulfillment with views and perspectives of stakeholders both inside and outside of the Arctic”, says Director of the Arctic Centre, Professor Paula Kankaanpää.

    To deliver that, the main activities are organized within four work packages:

    1. EU Arctic Information Centre feasibility study
    2. Impact assessment process
    3. Outreach & communication
    4. Project management

    According to Finnish Arctic Ambassador Hannu Halinen, “The ultimate vision is to contribute to the sustainable development of the Arctic by creating an active pan-European network of institutions that represents a substantial Arctic knowledge base. Rapid development of the Arctic, together with complicated political, socio-economic and environmental processes, will demand an effective use of science-based information and pro-active work by relevant communication and research centers to guide the decision- and policy-makers to swift and coherent actions”.

    Mr Jaime Reynolds who coordinates Arctic issues for the Directorate-General for the Environment within European Commission notes: “The project does not constitute the launch of an EU Arctic Information Centre itself; however the EU Arctic Information Centre Feasibility Study and Impact Assessment processes included will be fundamental for considering decisions about the establishment of the Centre.”
    Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland is seeking for a Senior Impact Assessment Expert in Rovaniemi, Finland to work for the Preparatory Action: “Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment of development of the Arctic” project funded by the European Commission. All information can be found here.

    Sources

    Arctic Centre
    EU Arctic information Centre

  • Oldest animal alive was in Iceland

    Oldest animal alive was in Iceland

    The Ocean quahog

    The oldest animal alive was found in Icelandic waters in 2007. The research ship Bjarni Sæmundsson pulled up a 507 year old Ocean quahog, on the depth of 83 meters just outside of the island Grímsey.

    It was 11cm in diameter and was the oldest animal on earth. It was killed in order to conduct research.

    Renowned Icelandic scientist Haraldur Sigurðsson covers the topics in his website.

    Arctica islandica is quite common around Iceland and is known for reaching high age. It buries itself in sand or clay on the ocean floor and moves very little during its life course.

    The second picture shows how the breathing Ocean quahog, breathing sea in the bigger opening, and out the smaller one.

    It grows immensely, for its size, over the summertime but very little over the winter. That leaves age markings on its shell, just like on trees.

    Ocean quahog is widespread around the world; it is common for aquaculture and is fished in USA for example, around 20 thousand tons per year. The annual catch around the world is thought to be around 150 thousand tons.

    Ocean quahog breathing

    The finding gained recognition at the time, amongst scientist around the world, especially from Britain and Germany.

    Sources

    Haraldur Sigurðsson

    Ocean quahog on Vistey

  • Science Section begins today!

    Science Section begins today!

    The audience during science session at Arctic Frontiers 2013

    After 2 days of policy related discussions, the Arctic Frontiers conference that is being held in Tromso, Norway, opens the science section.

    This part will address the issues of security, energy and interstate relations in the Arctic. An overall aim is to identify conditions for continued stability in light of new developments in the region.

    A warming Arctic with less ice may involve opportunities in terms of economic activity and increased interstate cooperation, but it may also present Arctic stakeholders with new challenges in terms of how best to meet their interests and at the same time interact with other stakeholders through mutually beneficiary relations.

    Arctic Frontiers is organised as an independent network and a leading meeting place for pan-arctic issues. The network was established in 2006 and later extended. The science section that start today will end on Friday, 25th of January.

    HMM

  • Development for the People of the North

    Development for the People of the North

    Leona Aglukkaq during her speech

    The overarching theme of the Canadian chairmanship for the Arctic Council will be Development for the People of the North. Upcoming president Leona Aglukkaq declared this in a speech at the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø.

    Canada will have three sub-themes. The first will be Responsible Arctic Resource Development, second is Safe Arctic Shipping and the third one Sustainable Circumpolar Communities.

    Aglukkaq introduced herself at the conference as Canada takes over from Sweden as the Chair of Arctic Council this year. Aglukkaq is a member of the parliament in Canada for Nunavut, growing up in the small community Gjoa Haven.

    “The traditional knowledge and expertise of the people living in the Arctic was crucial to the success of discovering a new frontier for Amundsen. And I believe it will also be the key to the future success of the Arctic Council.”

    “The quickly changing state of the Arctic region will present a new frontier for all of us in the next few years. We will be faced with challenges and opportunities – some will be positive, some perhaps not. But if we are to successfully navigate the future of the Arctic, we must build a bridge between the traditional knowledge of the people who live there, and the new realities of the present.”

    Aglukkaq has already met with Northern Canadians about the Canadian chairmanship and its priorities and since December she has met with all the Arctic Council states.

    “My discussions with my counterparts, members of the business community and representatives of the Sami have been very productive and informative. I heard a clear message during all of my domestic and international consultations: the well-being and prosperity of people living in the North must be at the forefront of Canada’s Arctic Council priorities.”

    Source

    Speech by Leona Aglukkaq

  • Arctic Frontiers 2013

    Arctic Frontiers 2013

    Arctic Frontiers

    The 2013 Arctic Frontiers in Tromso Norway is just about to start. This years themes are Geopolitics & Marine Production in a Changing Arctic.

    The organizers will be broadcasting the whole of the policy section on Monday 21 January live on the internet in English and Russian and on Tuesday 22 January in English and Norwegian.

    To connect to the online stream, please follow this link.
    Here are the links for the 22nd of January:

    Here is the full program of the conference.

    Source

    Arctic Frontiers

  • The keyword is “Change”

    The keyword is “Change”

    First policy session of the Arctic Frontiers 2013

    New opportunities create new challenges. The present and close future creates the challenge of how to explore, develop and manage the great resources of the Arctic Region. New commercial activities and growing business community, together with democratic dynamics are to alter long time established social structures in the Arctic Region.

    Non – Arctic Asian and European states and organizations increase their interest in the Arctic.

    Policy session of the 7th Arctic Frontiers conference, that takes place in Tromso, northern Norway, addresses the contemporary and emerging political issues for the changing Arctic. How do states in and outside the region prepare strategically for the new Arctic reality?

    How does the global security architecture impact on security in the Arctic? How important is Arctic oil and gas production for global demand and the energy security of various states? How will traditional businesses interact with new industry, and if and how will profits from industrial activities benefit the people living in the High North.

    Those questions will be answered during the first two days of the 7th Arctic Frontiers that are taking place in Tromso, northern part of Norway. The conference will last until the 25th of January. It is divided into policy and science sessions. The policy sessions will be held today and tomorrow while the scientists will present their research during the next three days.

    For more information, please be referred to the conference website.

    Source

    Arctic Frontiers website

  • First Icelander to reach it solo

    First Icelander to reach it solo

    Vilborg Arna Gissurardóttir practising before the journey

    Vilborg Arna Gissurardóttir yesterday became the first Icelander to walk to the South Pole alone and without assistance. Vilborg reached the pole last night after very hard conditions yesterday.

    She said that she was laughing and crying when she realized she was making her dream come true.

    She walked for 60 days, in total 1140km and celebrated by having potatoes and bacon on the Pole.

    She was raising money for the women’s clinic at the Icelandic national hospital and expects to dwell on the Pole over the weekend.

    Vilborg has a long journey home to Iceland where she is looking to rest after mental and physical hard work over the last two months, plus the years in preparation.

    Sources

    Mbl.is

    Vilborgs website