News & Press Releases
18 February 2025
The Arctic sea-ice extent reaches its annual minimum in September, serving as a crucial indicator of climate change. The September Arctic sea-ice is now shrinking at a rate of 12.2% per decade compared to its average extent during the period from 1981 to 2010 (NASA).
18 February 2025
The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic was one of the deadliest outbreaks in human history, infecting an estimated one-third of the global population and causing the deaths of at least 50 million people. Unlike typical influenza strains, which predominantly affect the very young and the elderly, the 1918 virus disproportionately struck healthy young adults. The virus caused severe pneumonia-like symptoms, often leading to rapid respiratory failure. Scientists believe this high mortality rate was due to an overreaction of the immune system, known as a cytokine storm, which caused excessive inflammation and damage to the lungs. The pandemic spread rapidly due to the movement of soldiers during World War I, reaching even the most remote corners of the world—including the Arctic.
17 February 2025
The 10th China-Nordic Arctic Research Cooperation Symposium will be held on April 23 – 24, 2025 in Shanghai, China. This year's event is convent by Tongji University under the theme: China-Nordic Synergy towards Sustainability in the Arctic.
The China-Nordic Arctic Research Center (CNARC) is an international consortium initiated by the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC) in collaboration with respective institutes in the Nordic countries and China to promote and facilitate China-Nordic cooperation for Arctic research.
CNARC provides a platform for academic cooperation with the following aims:
To increase awareness, understanding and knowledge of the Arctic and its global impacts.
To promote cooperation for sustainable development of the Nordic Arctic and coherent development of China in the global context.
17 February 2025
The Icelandic Minister of the Environment, Energy, and Climate, Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson, has announced the reindeer hunting quotas and permit prices for 2025. Following recommendations from the Icelandic Nature Conservation Institute, a total of 665 reindeer will be allowed to be hunted during the 2025 season—265 cows and 400 bulls.
This marks a significant reduction of 135 animals compared to 2024, reflecting a continued decline in the reindeer population.
13 February 2025
The 17th International Green Energy Conference & the 6th International Conference on Energy and AI & the Arctic Energy Forum will be held in the Harpa Conference Centre in Reykjavik, Iceland, from the 12-14 October with the optional educational tour on the 15th October. www.igec25.is
12 February 2025
The Polar Impact Mentorship Initiative invites members of the polar research community to a thought-provoking panel discussion exploring what makes collaborations "successful."
The event, scheduled for February 28 from 10-11 a.m. EST | 3-4 p.m. GMT, will bring together experts from various disciplines to discuss the benefits of interdisciplinary research, engagement with policy and decision-makers, and collaboration with Indigenous and local communities.
11 February 2025
Arctic Portal is pleased to announce the latest addition to our online resources—an expanded collection of Arctic maps that provide valuable insights into the region’s geography, sea ice extent, and varying definitions of the Arctic.
These new maps enhance our ability to visualize and understand the dynamic changes occurring in the Arctic.
7 February 2025
UArctic and the Arctic Circle welcome nominations for the 2025 Frederik Paulsen Arctic Academic Action Award until April 30, 2025. The Frederik Paulsen Arctic Academic Action Award serves to promote and raise awareness of promising projects which address climate change through concrete actions and plans.
6 February 2025
Parliamentary elections have been called in Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, with voters set to head to the polls on March 11. The election comes at a critical time for the country, as Prime Minister Mute B. Egede seeks re-election, citing "unprecedented times" for Greenland’s political and economic future.
5 February 2025
New Information (5th February, 2 PM): A Red Weather Warning has been issued for nearly all of Iceland due to severe weather conditions. Strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 50 m/s, are expected, particularly affecting the northern regions of the country.
Iceland has been experiencing extreme weather patterns this winter, with frequent and extreme fluctuations that often disturb transportation both on land and in the air. Yet another low-pressure zone is about to hit the island today, Wednesday, February 5th, bringing extreme wind, heat, and rain.
4 February 2025
The 4th AASCO workshop (Arena for the Gap Analysis of Existing Arctic Science Co-Operations) is taking place at the Oceanographic Institute/Prince Albert I Foundation in Monaco on February 4-5, 2025. Organized by the University of Helsinki and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, in cooperation with the University of the Arctic, the workshop was officially opened on February 4 by HSH Prince Albert of Monaco.
30 January 2025
On 11-22 November 2024, the Northern Forum hosted the first-of-its-kind Arctic Pavilion at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
29 January 2025
Today, January 29, 2025, marks the beginning of the Year of the Wood Snake. The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is currently being celebrated over 16 days, culminating today, Wednesday, January 29, with the grand Lantern Festival.
24 January 2025
An international workshop dedicated to the textual and visual representations of northern lights in the past and present was held at Panhard Pavillion on UVSQ’s science campus in Versailles, January 23, 2025.
22 January 2025
The Arctic Frontiers 2025 program is set, featuring impactful sessions, science discussions, side events, and networking to shape the pan-Arctic future.
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