Scientific Research in the Arctic: Alaska

Abstract

In a short report on the U. S. National Arctic Research Program, prepared about a year ago by the Department of State, Office of International Scientific Affairs, it was stated: "Over sixteen U. S. agencies, including five departments and two autonomous agencies, are engaged in Arctic research. In F.Y. 1964 their total budget, including administrative support, was about $17 million. 400 to 500 civilians were employed in this work plus a large number of contracted scientists and technicians from 33 U. S. and foreign universities, foundations, and institutions." Although mention was made of cooperative programs with the Government of Canada in the Queen Elizabeth Islands and with the Government of Denmark in Greenland, it was pointed out that this effort was almost entirely within Alaska and the surrounding seas. Figures of this sort may, of course, be misleading when taken out of context and given without definition. Much depends on the criteria of research, on the arbitrary division between investigation and application, on where the distinction is drawn between the acquisition and interpretation of information and its application in terms of technology, management, and regulation. But, nevertheless, they give some sense of proportion. How does such effort compare with the situation elsewhere? Despite significant growth in available funds and manpower during the past two years, it must still seem small when compared with the multi-billion research and development bill met annually by the United States, possibly not so small when laid against the Alaskan population of less than a quarter of a million people, but again very small in light of the vast area encompassed and the backlog of scientific ignorance of the northern latitudes and the phenomena therein. In peoples' minds, Alaska is commonly associated with the Arctic and arctic problems and here, indeed, lies much of the challenge to the scientist. But many do not realize the diversity of the geography within the State, the environmental extremes that offer singular opportunities for study and call for variety in approach and a degree of effort not yet realized. ... Notwithstanding the legitimate plea that research effort in Alaska is still sadly lacking in view of the variety of problems, any attempt to cover all the projects currently under way - even by title - within the scope of this short statement would be impracticable. ...