In Alaska, everyone’s grappling with climate change
This story was originally published in The Conversation. Author Nancy Fresco. Coastal villages are washing into the Bering Sea, trees are sprouting in the tundra and shipping lanes are opening in an ocean that was once locked in ice. In Alaska, climate change isn’t a distant or abstract concern. As a climate change researcher at the International…
Youths experience hands-on science at Bering Sea Days
“I’m a food chain,” yelled an enthusiastic 6-year-old. With her handmade red king crab crown, scallop finger puppet, phytoplankton sparkles and sun necklace, this young learner transformed into an ocean food chain. When asked who’s at the top of the food chain, she responded, “kindergarteners from St. Paul Island, Alaska.” This was just one of…
Working towards a more diverse and inclusive IARC
IARC is working towards creating a diverse, inclusive, equitable, and respectful environment that welcomes everyone, values multiple types of knowledge and engages all individuals to help each thrive. As part of this effort, the IARC Diversity and Inclusivity statement was developed. The statement is a living document designed to help guide our institution. Requests also…
Monitoring climate change from space, one leaf at a time
A new Japanese satellite will monitor global climate change and the health of the Earth, from space. Scientists are now validating the satellite by gathering and measuring thousands of leaves from around the world, a feat possible only through international collaboration. As plants grow, they use the sun’s energy to convert carbon dioxide to oxygen and…
IARC scientist awarded $1.25 million to develop a carbon seaglider
IARC’s Claudine Hauri and Andrew McDonnell, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, were awarded a $1.25M grant from the National Science Foundation for the development and operation of a new autonomous Carbon Seaglider. The Carbon Seaglider will be capable of adaptively sampling carbon dioxide concentrations and other oceanographic parameters throughout the coastal environment and will be…
Alaska students share real-life climate change experiences at international event
This summer seven Alaska high school students, and four teachers traveled to Ireland to present their climate change research. In doing so they discovered their power to contribute to science and their culture. The group was part of Alaska GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) and the Arctic and Earth SIGNs (STEM…
Alaska teacher to join international Arctic research expedition
Oceanographers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks International Arctic Research Center embark this week for a 55-day research expedition in the eastern Arctic Ocean. This year, Fairbanks elementary school teacher Moira O’Malley will join the team. “I am ecstatic about this opportunity,” O’Malley said. O’Malley will write a daily blog, providing updates that are exciting, fun,…
IARC researcher receives presidential award
Elena Sparrow was recently honored with a U.S. presidential award for her excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics mentoring. Sparrow is a University of Alaska Fairbanks research professor and the education outreach director at the International Arctic Research Center. The award, which includes a $10,000 National Science Foundation grant, recognizes the important role mentors…
Arctic climate change: Alternative futures
While changes of sea ice and air temperature have received widespread media coverage, other changes in the cryosphere and the broader Arctic environment have been synthesized in recent assessment reports. A consistent pattern of change through the Arctic system has emerged. However, the future trajectory of the system is subject to various uncertainties, and human…
Congress holds maritime transportation in the Arctic hearing
International Arctic Research Center researcher and retired U.S. Coast Guard captain, Dr. Lawson Brigham, testified to Congress during the Maritime Transportation in the Arctic hearing this week. Brigham was called to testify on June 7 as part of the committee hearing addressing the United States’ lack of adequate infrastructure, research, and preparedness to accommodate increased maritime…