Event

The Arctic Ocean and Climate Change in a Time of Tension

Date & Time

Tuesday

Mar. 21, 2023

11:00am – 12:30pm ET

Location

Online Only

Event Sponsors

Polar Institute

Environmental Change and Security Program

Event Co-Sponsors

Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic

The uncertainty in Arctic governance that resulted from Russia's invasion of Ukraine has extended beyond geopolitical effects in the region. Sustained cooperation amongst the Arctic states, except for Russia, has been key to sustain scientific research after the loss of a large geographic partner. Cooperation on the ocean and climate issues in the Arctic will continue to be essential moving forward. What does the future hold for efforts to understand and steward the Arctic Ocean?

Please join the Wilson Center's Polar Institute and the Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic (Norway) for a discussion about research and ocean-related cooperation in the context of current geopolitical tension.

Tuesday, March 21

11:00am – 11:05am ET

Welcome Remarks

Dr. Rebecca Pincus, Director, Polar Institute, Wilson Center

11:05am – 11:10am ET

Opening Remarks

Ambassador Anniken Krutnes, Ambassador of Norway to the United States

11:10am – 11:20am ET

Keynote Remarks

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME 1st District)

11:20am – 11:55am ET

Panel 1: Arctic Ocean Governance and the US Government

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
Dr. Michael Sfraga, Chair, US Arctic Research Commission; Chair, Polar Institute, Wilson Center
Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Deputy Director for Climate and the Environment, Office of Science and Technology Policy, White House
moderated by Evan T. Bloom, Senior Fellow, Polar Institute, Wilson Center

11:55am – 12:30pm ET

Panel 2: Scientific Research and Cooperation in the Arctic Ocean

Dr. Larry Hinzman, Assistant Director of Polar Sciences, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; Executive Director, Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC)
Dr. Jan-Gunnar Winther, Director, Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic
Dr. Antje Boetius, Director, Alfred Wegener Institute; Professor, University of Bremen; Group leader; Joint Research Group for Deep-Sea Ecology and Technology, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology
moderated by Ambassador David Balton, Executive Director, Arctic Executive Steering Committee, Office of Science & Technology Policy, White House; former Senior Fellow, Polar Institute, Wilson Center

Speakers

Introduction

Ambassador Anniken Ramberg Krutnes

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to the United States

Keynote Speaker

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree

Representative (D-ME 1st District)

Moderators

Evan T. Bloom

Global Fellow, Polar Institute;
Former Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries and Director for Ocean and Polar Affairs, US Department of State

Ambassador David Balton

Executive Director, Arctic Executive Steering Committee, Office of Science & Technology Policy, White House; former Senior Fellow, Polar Institute, Wilson Center

Hosted By

Polar Institute

Since its inception in 2017, the Polar Institute has become a premier forum for discussion and policy analysis of Arctic and Antarctic issues, and is known in Washington, DC and elsewhere as the Arctic Public Square. The Institute holistically studies the central policy issues facing these regions—with an emphasis on Arctic governance, climate change, economic development, scientific research, security, and Indigenous communities—and communicates trusted analysis to policymakers and other stakeholders. Read more

Environmental Change and Security Program

The Environmental Change and Security Program (ECSP) explores the connections between environmental change, health, and population dynamics and their links to conflict, human insecurity, and foreign policy. Read more

Thank you for your interest in this event. Please send any feedback or questions to our Events staff.