Stig (30) Has Researched Snow in Svalbard for Four Years: “I Don’t Even Ski!” Stig Andreas Johannessen (30) became the first to defend his dissertation in Arctic Security at UNIS, the University Center in Svalbard. He has researched how Longyearbyen manages climate-related risks while simultaneously experiencing how climate change impacts the island himself.
The Arctic On Fire The Arctic isn’t just warming, it’s on fire. From the record-shattering 2023 wildfire season in Canada to the zombie fires smoldering beneath the boreal forests, Arctic wildfires are reshaping landscapes, threatening communities and accelerating global climate change. The Arctic Council's podcast This Way Up takes a closer look at wildfires.
Researchers From 20 Countries Meet in Greenland: “Shows That Research in Greenland Is of Great Importance” Nuuk, Greenland (High North News): This week, almost 400 researchers from 20 countries have gathered in Nuuk for the Greenland Science Conference. "We must find a way to utilize this increased attention in Greenland for something constructive and meaningful," says Head of Secretariat at Arctic Hub, Avijâja Rosing-Olsen.
The Arctic Council Launches New Podcast: “We Want to Bring the Arctic to the World” In the following months, High North News will publish the Arctic Council's new podcast,This Way Up. The Head of Communications for the Arctic Council, Anja Salo, says she hopes the podcast will showcase that the Arctic people have many of the answers to the region's issues.
Welcome to This Way Up Welcome to This Way Up, the new Arctic Council podcast. In this introductory episode, hosts Jessica Cook and Rosa-Máren Magga set the stage for the season ahead.
Svalbard Fjord Absorbs More Greenhouse Gases Than It Emits A new study shows that the Kongsfjord in Svalbard absorbs more greenhouse gases and nutrients than it emits. Researchers believe the Arctic fjord can provide important answers to how nature itself contributes to stall climate change.
Scientists Discover Life in Arctic Ice at -15 Degrees Celsius A new Stanford research report reveals that Arctic algae can move in -15 degrees Celsius, the lowest temperature movement ever recorded in complex living cells. This has raised new questions about how algal communities regulate the overall health of the Arctic environment.
Solar Energy in the North May Work Better Than Previously Thought New research from the Belfer Center shows that the case for solar energy in the Far North could be stronger than previously thought.
Calls for Arctic Policy Action on Underwater Noise A new Arctic Council report from the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment working group predicts a significant increase in underwater noise from shipping in the Arctic Ocean by 2030. This poses a dramatic risk to whales and other noise-sensitive species.
US Climate Researcher: “We Are at a Tipping Point” Climate researcher Zack Labe was one of hundreds of scientists laid off at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by DOGE this year. He believes we're at a tipping point and that "there could be a complete gap in the next generation of scientists."
Arctic Researcher Charlotte (27): “There Is So Much Beauty to Look After” Arctic researcher Charlotte Gehrke incorporates her journalistic training into her research, valuing science communication as a democratic project, particularly in the current political and environmental situation.
The One Ocean Expedition Is About to Kick Off On Friday, the sailing ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl embarks on a 12-month voyage called One Ocean Expedition. In August and September, the ship will sail through the Northwest Passage, with researchers and students from UiT, the Arctic University of Norway, on board.
First Human Spaceflight Over the Earth’s Poles Currently in Flight The first human spaceflight over the Earth's polar regions is currently in flight. The crew will explore Earth from a polar orbit and conduct research designed to help advance humanity's capabilities for long-term space exploration. One of the crew members is Norwegian Jannicke Mikkelsen from Svalbard.
The US Steps Back From Arctic Science, Paves Way for China Six weeks into Donald Trump’s presidential term has seen major cuts and mass firings across the board. The US Arctic research community is now facing imminent cutbacks at a dire expense for the entire region. The void left by the US may be filled by other non-Arctic actors looking for a way in, such as China.
