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Fran Ulmer, Chair, U.S. Arctic Research Commission www.sea-technology.com May 2015 / st 7 editorial SEA TECHNOLOGY® I N C L U D I N G U N D E RS EA TEC H N O L O G Y The Industry's Recognized Authority for Design, Engineering and Application of Equipment and Services in the Global Ocean Community Charles H. Bussmann Founder and Publisher 1924-1999 publisher C. Amos Bussmann managing editor Aileen Torres-Bennett assistant editor Alaina Monismith editorial consultant Charles W. Covey production manager Russell S. Conward assistant design/ Joshua Ortega website manager advertising Susan M. Ingle Owen service manager ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES: HEADQUARTERS C. 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Box 998, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0998 1-800-420-6272 COMPASS PUBLICATIONS, INC. 1600 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1010 Arlington, VA 22209-2510 Tel: (703) 524-3136 FAX: (703) 841-0852 oceanbiz@sea-technology.com www.sea-technology.com publishers of: Sea Technology Commercial Fisheries News Fish Farming News Commercial Marine Directory Fish Farmers Phone Book/Directory Sea Technology Buyers Guide/Directory Sea Tech e-News Celebrating more than 50 years of serving the global ocean community - Since 1963 - US Arctic Activity Requires Preparation and Investment T he effects of global climate change are dramatically obvious in the Arctic, where warming is occurring two to three times faster than the rest of the world. Declining summer sea ice, retreating glaciers, coastal erosion, acidifcation of oceans, earlier spring snowmelt, later fall freeze-up, and thawing permafrost are transforming the Arctic region as we know it. As an Arctic nation, the United States has a responsibility to respond to these profound changes and their impacts, and to plan and prepare for the future chang- es that present considerable challenges. Over the last several years, the federal government has been taking signifcant steps to do so. In May 2013, President Barack Obama adopted the National Strategy for the Arctic. In January 2014, the Implementation Plan for the Strategy was released. On January 21, 2015, President Obama issued Executive Order 13689 to co- ordinate Arctic activities under the Strategy and the Plan. The Executive Order "Enhancing Coordination of National Efforts in the Arctic" established an Arctic Executive Steering Committee to "provide guidance to executive departments and agencies…and enhance coordination of federal Arctic policies across agencies, offces, and, where applicable, with state, local, and Alaska Native tribal govern- ments and similar Alaska Native organizations, academic and research institu- tions, and the private and nonproft sectors." This is an important organizational step, as it will allow for greater coordination and collaboration on Arctic research and initiatives. The U.S. has also worked to address Arctic-related issues in the international sphere and will chair the Arctic Council from 2015 to 2017. The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum that focuses on environment protection and sustainable development. In their Proposed Arctic Council Chairmanship Pro- gram, titled "One Arctic: Shared Opportunities, Challenges, and Responsibilities," the U.S. focuses on three themes: Arctic Ocean safety, security and stewardship; improving economic and living conditions of Arctic people; and addressing the impacts of climate change. Each focus area includes several specifc projects, but the two proposed initia- tives that are perhaps the most compelling for the marine sector are Marine Envi- ronmental Protection and Arctic Ocean Acidifcation. The Marine Environmental Protection initiative is designed to respond to the increase in maritime activity in the Arctic, which is made possible by less, and thinner, ice. To address the possibility of environmental damage from oil spills and other hazardous substances, the U.S. program proposes to create an in- ventory of specialized pollution response equipment, to draft agreements for resource sharing across the Arctic, and to develop international guidelines for response. This is a continuation of the U.S. domestic goals laid out in the Implementa- tion Plan for the National Arctic Strategy, which called for the development and improvement of technologies to detect, respond to, and prevent oil spills. The Arctic Ocean Acidifcation initiative is another area that calls for increased international cooperation and improved technology. The goal of expanding the Global Ocean Acidifcation Observing Network to the region is to enable more comprehensive and accurate monitoring of chemical and biological observations for the entire Arctic Ocean. To do so will require the participation of all Arctic Council member states and observer states. New and improved sensors will be needed to effectively monitor ocean acidifcation in the Arctic, where colder water temperatures and lower salt content increase the level of acidifcation. The signifcant challenges facing the Arctic in coming years will require re- search, innovation, investment and cooperation across borders. With the help of international, domestic and industry partners, the U.S. will be better prepared to meet them. n