Center for a New American Security

Since July 1st, the DoD blog Armed with Science has been posting about ICESCAPE, a scientific mission undertaken by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter HEALY, the United States’ most technologically advanced polar icebreaker (pictured above). First, let’s give them an earned shout-out for interagency collaboration. Next, a bit about the mission. According to the blog:

’Impacts of Climate on Ecosystems and Chemistry of the Arctic Pacific Environment’ is a multi-year NASA shipborne project to investigate the impacts of climate change on the ecology and biogeochemistry of the Arctic. During five weeks at sea, more than 40 scientists will sample the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the ocean and sea ice.

As our discussion with Charles Emmerson, author of The Future History of the Arctic highlighted, there’s a lot that we don’t know about the Arctic. As another of the USCG heavy icebreakers recently broke down, ICESCAPE’s ability to access and study the Arctic on the HEALY has become more important than ever. As Emmerson stated, “wanting to have more and (more capable) ships and other infrastructure up north is not just an academic exercise. It is also about how practically to deal with a range of possible future events – including an environmental disaster – and it is about demonstrating sovereignty and intent, backing up the diplomatic positions which the United States may take on Arctic issues.” We wish the HEALY and its crew luck on their journey as we officially conclude Arctic week here on the blog.

Photo: Courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard