Arctic

Black carbon, which is produced by burning, can accelerate warming of the atmosphere and melting of glaciers.

The coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge ranks as one of the most controversial chunks of land in Alaska. Since Congress set it aside for more study in 1980, environmental groups, politicians and industry have battled over whether to explore for oil there or to protect the wilderness forever. As the Trump administration gets ready to take the White House in January, the debate will likely flare up again. But even though the fight’s dragged on for decades, there’s still a lot we don’t know about what lies beneath the refuge.

As temperatures rise, Arctic ice is retreating, making trips through the Northwest passage – from Alaska to Maine – a new summer reality. But until now, mariners navigating Arctic ice have had limited formal training. A professor at Maine Maritime Academy is working to change that.

The Obama administration has removed the Arctic Ocean from any new oil and gas leasing for the next five years.

In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s upset victory, President Barack Obama still has two months left in office, to close out policy decisions and try to cement any final pieces of his legacy.

Ten high-level U.S. and Canadian commissioned and noncommissioned officers toured the Army’s Black Rapids Training Site in Delta Junction on Tuesday.