Related Publications
AUGUST 2024
Coast Guard: Complete Performance and Operational Data Would Better Clarify Arctic Resource Needs
US Government Accountability Office
The Coast Guard has assessed risks, such as from climate change and increased maritime activity, that affect its ability to carry out its missions in the US Arctic region. It has also identified these risks in various planning documents, including the Coast Guard Arctic strategy. The US Government Accountability Office created this report for congressional committees in August 2024.
August 2024
The Cost of the Coast Guard’s Polar Security Cutter
Congressional Budget Office
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report to expand on testimony before the House Committee on Homeland Security. The report includes the costs of purchasing more polar security cutters, and it estimates the cost of operating those cutters. The first Polar Security Cutter (PSC) would cost $1.9 billion and subsequent ships would average about $1.6 billion each, all in 2024 dollars. A three-ship PSC program would therefore cost $5.1 billion, CBO estimates—about 60 percent more than the Coast Guard’s current estimate.
March 2024
Arctic Research Crosscut Budget Report FY 2022-2024
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
This report, the first in a series to be published annually, is a compilation of budgetary information reported by federal agencies and departments engaged in Arctic research. It was mandated by the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (P.L. 117-263) which requires the White House to collect and report annual unclassified budget data for all existing federal programs relating to Arctic research and research-related activities. Such reporting is consistent with Arctic Research Policy Act “Section 110. Coordination and Review of Budget Requests,” which further requires the U.S. Arctic Research Commission to review the request and report to Congress on the budget’s adherence to the five-year Arctic Research Plan of the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee.
November 29, 2023
GAO Testimony Before the Committee Homeland Security, House of Representatives: Factors That Affect the Advancement of US Priorities
US Government Accountability Office
The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) released the testimony of Chelsa Kenney, Director for International Affairs and Trade. Director Kenney testified before the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee.
September 2023
GAO Issues New Report Reviewing the U.S. Government’s Management of Arctic Priorities and Diplomacy
US Government Accountability Office
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed the federal government’s management of Arctic efforts, with a particular focus on the Department of State’s (State) current structures for Arctic diplomacy. The review was informed by interviews with over 30 stakeholders. The resulting report discusses several factors pertaining to broad USG management and State-specific management of Arctic priorities. Stakeholders also discussed their perspectives on the creation of the new Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region position and elements State and the new Ambassador should consider to successfully manage U.S. Arctic priorities.
Updated July 5, 2023
Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress
Congressional Research Service Report
In July 2023, the Congressional Research Service released a background paper on changes in the Arctic. The Congressional Research Service is part of the Library of Congress. The report includes geographic definitions, populations, laws and regulations affecting the Arctic, international bodies, and developing congressional issues.
Available Format: 2 MB pdf
Updated December 22, 2022
Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (Polar Icebreaker) Program: Background and Issues for Congress
Congressional Research Service Report
In October 2021, the Congressional Research Service released a background paper on the Coast Guard’s Polar Security Cutter (PSC) Program. The Congressional Research Service is part of the Library of Congress. The paper includes a history of US polar missions, statutory duties, the status of polar icebreakers, procurement, federal funding, and the history of federal legislation regarding the PSC program.
Available Format: 2.4 MB pdf
May 2022
State of the Global Climate 2021
World Meteorological Organization
This publication provides a summary of the state of the climate indicators in 2021 including global temperatures trends and their distribution around the globe; most recent findings on greenhouse gases concentration, ocean indicators; cryosphere with a particular emphasis on the Arctic and Antarctic sea ice, Greenland ice sheet and glaciers and snow cover; Stratospheric Ozone; analysis of major drivers of inter-annual climate variability during the year including the El Niño Southern Oscillation and other Ocean and Atmospheric indices; global precipitation distribution over land; extreme events including those related to tropical cyclones and wind storms; flooding, drought, and extreme heat and cold events. The publication also provides the most recent findings on climate-related risks and impacts including on food security, humanitarian and population displacement aspects and impact on ecosystems.
Available Format: 5.1 MB pdf
April 13, 2022
Evaluation of the Department of Defense’s Efforts to Address the Climate Resilience of US Military Installations in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic
Department of Defense’s Inspector General Report
Finding: U.S. military installation leaders at the six Arctic and sub-Arctic installations we visited did not conduct installation resilience assessments and planning required by DoD directive and public law. DoD Directive 4715.21, “Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience” (2016), requires DoD Components to integrate climate change considerations into DoD Component policy, guidance, plans, and operations. In addition, 10 U.S.C. § 2864 (2020) requires commanders of major military installations to identify, assess, and develop plans to address military installation resilience and environmental risks and threats to assets, infrastructure, and mission. However, most installation leaders at the six installations we visited in the Arctic and sub-Arctic region were unfamiliar with military installation resilience planning requirements, processes, and tools, and did not comply with requirements to identify current and projected environmental risks, vulnerabilities, and mitigation measures or incorporate these considerations into plans and operations.
Available Format: 340 KB pdf
December 2021
Arctic Report Card 2021
NOAA Arctic Program
NOAA’s 2021 Arctic Report Card documents the numerous ways that climate change continues to fundamentally alter this once reliably-frozen region, as increasing heat and the loss of ice drive its transformation into a warmer, less frozen and more uncertain future. This year’s Arctic Report Card is the 16th annual volume of original, peer-reviewed environmental observations and analysis that documents rapid and dramatic shifts in weather, climate, terrestrial and oceanic conditions in the circumpolar region.
> Full Report (12 MB pdf)
> Arctic Report Card Website
> News Release
October 2021
Arctic Strategy
The Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs
Several departments of the Department of Defense released a special issue on Arctic Strategy of the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs in October 2021. Contributors include Major General Randy “Church” Kee, USAF, retired, who is a former commissioner of the US Arctic Research Commission.
Available Online: https://media.defense.gov/2021/Oct/24/2002878830/-1/-1/1/ARCTIC STRATEGY.PDF
February 2017
Arctic Research Plan: FY2017–2021
Executive Office of the President
National Science and Technology Council
In December 2016, the White House released the five-year Arctic Research Plan. The plan outlines key areas the Federal government will undertake to better understand and predict Arctic environmental changes.
Available Format: 1.7 MB pdf
September 2015
RUSALCA: Russian-American Long-term Census of the Arctic
Oceanography Special Issue
The September 2015 issue of Oceanography, co-sponsored by the Arctic Research Program, Climate Observation Division of NOAA and the US Arctic Research Commission, was on the Russian-American Long-term Census of the Arctic (RUSALCA) program. The special issue contains 14 articles that describe joint US-Russian expeditions and follow-on research in the Chukchi Sea and Bering Strait regions.
Available Online: https://www.tos.org/oceanography/issue/volume-28-issue-03
Fall 1987–2007
JOURNAL > Arctic Research of the United States
Published from Fall 1987 through 2007, the journal Arctic Research of the United States was created for people and organizations interested in learning about US government-financed Arctic research activities. It was published by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee and in cooperation with the the US Arctic Research Commission.
January 2014
Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for the Arctic Region
On May 10, 2013, the President issued the National Strategy for the Arctic Region
(Strategy). The accompanying Implementation Plan sets forth the methodology, process, and approach for executing the Strategy. This Implementation Plan complements and builds upon existing initiatives by Federal, State, local, and tribal authorities, the private sector, and international partners, and focuses efforts where opportunities exist and action is most needed. The Implementation Plan reflects the reality of a changing Arctic environment and upholds national interests in safety, security, and environmental protection, and works with international partners to pursue global objectives of addressing climatic changes
Available Format: 306 KB pdf
May 2013
National Strategy for the Arctic Region
The United States is an Arctic nation, one of only eight such nations worldwide that are responsible for the stewardship of a region undergoing dramatic environmental, social, and economic changes. The implications of these changes demand a fresh look at how the Federal Government and its partners address management challenges in the region. In consultation with the National Ocean Council, the National Security Staff, and the Arctic Research Commission, the Interagency Working Group on Coordination of Domestic Energy Development and Permitting in Alaska (Alaska Interagency Working Group) initiated this report to describe these challenges as they relate to the management of natural resources in the U.S. Arctic. The report presents recommendations for advancing a common management approach that provides coordinated, forward-thinking solutions.
Available Format: 479 KB pdf
March 2013
Managing for the Future in a Rapidly Changing Arctic: A Report to the President
The United States is an Arctic nation, one of only eight such nations worldwide that are responsible for the stewardship of a region undergoing dramatic environmental, social, and economic changes. The implications of these changes demand a fresh look at how the Federal Government and its partners address management challenges in the region. In consultation with the National Ocean Council, the National Security Staff, and the Arctic Research Commission, the Interagency Working Group on Coordination of Domestic Energy Development and Permitting in Alaska (Alaska Interagency Working Group) initiated this report to describe these challenges as they relate to the management of natural resources in the U.S. Arctic. The report presents recommendations for advancing a common management approach that provides coordinated, forward-thinking solutions.
Available Format: 13.61 MB pdf
February 2013
Arctic Research Plan: FY2013–2017
Executive Office of the President
National Science and Technology Council
In February 2013, the White House released the five-year Arctic Research Plan. The plan outlines key areas the Federal government will undertake to better understand and predict Arctic environmental changes.
Available Format: 2.5 MB pdf
September 2011
US Arctic Research Policy
Research serves our nation by providing information for policy decisions, and, in turn, policy choices influence the type of research supported by the nation. This article provides an overview of Arctic policy positions and outcomes, with an emphasis on current research policy.
Moran, K., and J.W. Farrell. 2011. US Arctic research policy. Oceanography 24(3):18–25, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2011.51.
Available Format: 463 KB pdf
September 2011
The Changing Arctic Ocean
Oceanography Special Issue on the International Polar Year (2007–2009)
The September 2011 issue of Oceanography is available from The Oceanography Society. This issue, co-sponsored by the USARC, NOAA, and NSF, contains 30 contributions on a wide range of Arctic-related subjects such as marine geology, research vessels, outreach, science policy, ocean observing, physical, biological and chemical oceanography, modeling, and sea ice.
Available Online: https://www.tos.org/oceanography/issue/volume-24-issue-03
September 2011
January 2010
Behavioral and Mental Health Research in the Arctic:
Strategy Setting Meeting Proceedings
In January 2010, the International Journal of Circumpolar Health published the proceedings of a June 2-3, 2009 workshop on “Behavioral and Mental Health Research in the Circumpolar Arctic” that was co-sponsored by the U.S. Arctic Research Commission and the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health. This 64-page report recommends that a study of this topic be conducted by the National Academy of Science’s Institute of Medicine.
Available Format: 5.9 MB pdf
January 2009
National Arctic Policy Homeland Security Presidential Directive
This directive establishes the policy of the United States with respect to the Arctic region and directs related implementation actions. This directive supersedes Presidential Decision Directive/NSC-26 (PDD-26; issued 1994) with respect to Arctic policy but not Antarctic policy; PDD-26 remains in effect for Antarctic policy only.
This directive shall be implemented in a manner consistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States, with the obligations of the United States under the treaties and other international agreements to which the United States is a party, and with customary international law as recognized by the United States, including with respect to the law of the sea.
2009
Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA)
The Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment is a comprehensive study that focuses on marine safety and marine environmental protection and emphasizes three themes: (1) enhancing Arctic marine safety, (2) protecting Arctic people and the environment, and (3) building the Arctic marine infrastructure.
Download complete report: 27.2 MB pdf
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