The Circumpolar Conservation Union is organizing a briefing and open discussion on Arctic ocean initiatives as part of our larger effort to linking science, indigenous knowledge, and environmental advocacy toward affecting sound US and international policy. Through this meeting we are hoping to connect the work of the Arctic Council with those of Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations and NGOs focusing on climate change and ocean issues, and begin a dialogue leading to future collaboration.

Dr. Lawson Brigham, the Vice-Chair of the Arctic Council working group Protection of the Marine Environment (PAME) and U.S. Co-lead on the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment, will give a presentation on: the links between the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment and the Shipping Assessment, the current layout and plan to develop the Shipping Assessment, an update from the September 19 & 20 PAME meeting, and the various ways organizations affiliated and not affiliated with the Arctic Council can get involved in the Shipping Assessment and other initiatives. Dr. Brigham’s presentation will be followed by a longer open dialogue in which stakeholders can express their views on the future of shipping in the Arctic and raise concerns about and/or suggest methods to make sure it is done in a safe manner.