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Warming Arctic and Potential Shifts in Mid-Latitude Weather, March 18, 2014 (Webinar). An apparently increasing number of record-breaking meteorological events have occurred in mid-latitudes during the past decade as well as a large number of recent abrupt climate changes in the Arctic. Opinions differ on whether such recent extreme weather events were related to recent global or Arctic climate change, Pacific or tropical forcing, or simply chaotic random events. Record negative values of the early winter Arctic Oscillation atmospheric circulation index, high pressures over Greenland and warm temperatures (increased geopotential thickness west of Greenland) have been observed in four of the last five early winters, with cold air penetrating into the southeastern United States and a southern location of the jet stream across the Atlantic. So far we have a tantalizing array of possible drivers based on observed correlations, theoretical reasoning and limited model work. Given the recent run of Greenland high pressures and the potential for scientific breakthroughs for improved seasonal forecasting, one should not rule out a possible emergence of a combination of Arctic change, Pacific influences, and chaotic long-wave patterns impacting mid-latitude extreme weather as an important research challenge, but one that will be dominated by uncertainty for the foreseeable future. To access the webinar, please go here.
Meeting Number: 746443948
Meeting Passcode: PMELSeminar
Meeting Host: MS LAUREN KOELLERMEIER
 Today's Congressional Action:
The House and Senate are not in session.
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 Obama, Putin at Breaking Point. The relationship between President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to have reached the breaking point over the crisis in Ukraine. Through a series of long telephone conversations, Obama and Putin have talked extensively behind the scenes about the fate of Crimea, with the United States repeatedly warning Russia against a grab for territory. The Hill
Professor Says Education Spending in Canada's North is Out of Hand. A retired university professor from Canada's University of Manitoba says education spending in the North has gotten out of hand. Rodney Clifton says that includes Canada's northwestern Yukon territory, where education costs are rising much faster than the cost of living. Alaska Dispatch
 Inuit Leaders Blast EU Seal Ban as Appeal Underway in Geneva. Canadian Inuit leaders on Monday blasted the ongoing effect of the European Union seal ban on Arctic peoples, as an appeal got underway at the World Trade Organization in Geneva. "For 40 years now we have seen the spread of false information and propaganda by animal rights groups to gain political and public support in Europe and end hunting and trade of seal," Terry Audla, president of Canada's national Inuit organization Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, said in a news release." Alaska Dispatch
Begich Presses for Increased Federal Engagement with Alaska Natives. Continuing his efforts to make sure the federal government pays attention to the unique needs of Alaska communities, U.S. Senator Mark Begich pressed Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate on his agency's outreach to Alaska Natives. As chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee with oversight of federal emergency management, Begich stressed the importance of direct contact and consultation with tribal leaders during a hearing of the committee last week. Senator Mark Begich
Lloyd's Guidelines to 'Compliment' Polar Code. Even as the UN is preparing international guidelines for polar shipping, insurer Lloyd's of London says it plans to release its own regulations for sailing in the Arctic as a way to ensure that ships are adequately prepared to sail in a region of "extreme and fast changing risks." Lloyd's said its regulations would serve to compliment the International Maritime Organization's forthcoming Polar Code of safety and environmental standards, but it also pointed out that a lack of information about polar ice and differing national guidelines could "could undermine the effectiveness" of the IMO guidelines. Arctic Journal
 The Narwhal's Tusk is Filled with Nerves. But Why? For centuries, the purpose of a narwhal's tusk has eluded explanation. Now, researchers suggest that these small whales use their tusks as sensory organs and speculate that sensing changes in seawater salinity might help male narwhals stay safe, and locate fish or females. Narwhals are a little bit like Arctic unicorns. At least, the males are. They're the beasts that swim around wielding giant, spiraling tusks that can grow to nearly 9 feet long. But unlike the mythical horned horse, narwhals are a) real and b) their horns aren't centered on their faces. Instead, their tusks protrude from the left of their mouths - they're actually big, twisted canine teeth (the right canine usually remains embedded in the whale's jaw). Wired
Arctic Circle Iceland Convention Date Changed. The Arctic Circle informs that due to increased demand, and to better accommodate the large number of expected attendees, the dates for the second annual Arctic Circle Assembly have been changed. The gathering will now take place October 31-November 2, 2014, in Reykjavík, Iceland, at the Harpa Reykjavík Concert Hall and Conference Centre. MarineLink
 Arctic Tasking for the Coast Guard. On January 30, 2014, the White House released the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for the Arctic Region. The purpose of the Implementation Plan is to put flesh on the bones of the May 10, 2013 National Strategy for the Arctic Region. The National Strategy had identified three lines of effort to address challenges posed by the changing Arctic environment. The Implementation Plan sets forth the methodology, process, and approach for executing the Strategy. MarineLink
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Legislative Action
No Arctic legislation was formally considered Friday.
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Future Events
Arctic Science Summit Week April 5-8, 2014 and Arctic Observing Summit, April 9-11 (Helsinki, Finland). ASSW is a gathering for Arctic research organizations. Any organization engaged in supporting and facilitating arctic research is welcome to participate. The ASSW meeting in 2014 will be arranged during April 5-8 in Helsinki Kumpula Campus, in the facilities of FMI and Physics Department of the University of Helsinki. Second circular here.
International Congress of Arctic Social Sciences, May 22-24, 2014. ICASS is held every three years, bringing together people from all over the world to share ideas about social science research in the Arctic. ICASS VII, held in Akureyri in June 2011, attracted 450 participants from 30 different countries. ICASS VIII's theme is Northern Sustainabilities. By using the plural, ICASS underscores both that 'sustainability' has social, cultural, economic, political and environmental dimensions, and that definitions of the concept vary. Yet, while debating specific definitions, most would agree that working toward sustainable ways of living in the North and on approaches to sustainable engagement with the North, are critical both to the North's and to the world's future. Community sustainability in the North, whether for small settlements or large urban conglomerations, requires new models of food and energy security, and of access to employment, health care and social and cultural services for residents.
Arctic Circle, October 31-November 2, 2014 (Reyjavik, 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.
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