Schar School of Policy and Government - Click to Go Home
  • About
    The Schar School 
    Founders Hall

    A Dynamic Education for an Evolving World

    • About
    • About Dwight Schar
    • A Message from Dean Mark J. Rozell
    • Key Facts
      • Explore Washington, D.C.
    • Faculty Directory
    • Staff Directory
    • Maps & Directions
    • Contact Us
      • Contact Undergraduate Admissions
      • Contact Graduate Admissions
      • Contact Student Services and Advising
  • Prospective Students
    The Schar School 
    Founders Hall

    A Dynamic Education for an Evolving World

    • Prospective Students
    • Application Requirements
    • Programs of Study
      • Undergraduate Programs
      • Master's Programs
      • PhD Programs
      • Graduate Certificates
      • Security Studies
      • Online Programs
      • Executive Education
      • Visiting Non-Degree Studies
    • Admissions & Aid
      • Graduate Admissions FAQ
      • International Applicant Requirements
      • For Military, Veterans, and Dependents
      • Tuition & Financial Assistance
      • Admitted Students
      • Contact Admissions
    • The Value of a Schar School Degree
    • Explore & Visit
      • Graduate Admissions Recruitment & Events
      • Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment & Events
      • Ask a Graduate Ambassador
      • Ask an Undergraduate Liaison
      • Viewbooks & Publications
    • Request More Information
    • Apply Now
  • Current Students
    The Schar School 
    Founders Hall

    A Dynamic Education for an Evolving World

    • Current Students
    • Short-Term Study Abroad Programs
    • Career Development Office
      • Career Resources for Students and Alumni
      • Career Development Webinars
      • Student Services Seminars
      • Graduate Internship Program
      • Career Outcomes Reports
      • Career Fair
      • Employers
      • Job Opportunities
      • Contact Career Services
    • Undergraduate Student Services
      • Undergraduate Advising
      • Undergraduate Career Readiness
      • Undergraduate Minors
      • Undergraduate Internship Program
      • Undergraduate Research Assistant Program
      • Patriot Prelaw Program
      • Accelerated Master’s Programs
    • Master’s Student Services
      • Master’s FAQ
      • Graduate Degree Requirements
      • Academic Policies and Forms
      • Master’s 101
      • Information About POGO 511
      • Master's Student Services Contact Information
    • PhD Student Services
      • PhD 101
      • PhD FAQs
      • PhD Handbooks and Forms
      • PhD Milestone Guides
      • Doctoral Candidates & Research
      • PhD Student Advising Articles
      • Careers in the Academy
    • Scholarships and Funding
      • Scholarships for Undergrads
      • Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society
      • Grants for PhD Research
      • Graduate Scholarships and Fellowships
      • ERPi Patriot Scholarship for Veterans and Dependents of Veterans
      • Awards for PhD Dissertations
      • Post-Doctoral Fellowships & Awards
    • Course Syllabi and Schedule
      • Academic Calendar
      • Course Syllabi
  • News & Events
      The Schar School  
    Founders Hall

    A Dynamic Education for an Evolving World

    • News and Events
    • Latest News
    • Events Calendar
    • Schar School Magazine
    • Nexus Alumni Newsletter
  • Faculty & Research
    The Schar School 
    Founders Hall

    A Dynamic Education for an Evolving World

    • Office of Grant Development
    • Faculty and Research
    • Research in Action
    • Research Centers, Institutes, and Initiatives
    • Faculty Areas of Research
    • Resources for Faculty and Staff
    • Careers at the Schar School
    • Faculty Directory
  • Alumni
    The Schar School 
    Founders Hall

    A Dynamic Education for an Evolving World

    • Alumni & Annual Campaign
    • Alumni
      • Schar School & Alumni News
      • Alumni Leadership and Chapter
      • Annual Alumni Awards Gala
      • Support the Schar School
      • Alumni Faculty/Staff Liaisons
    • Annual Campaign
    • Volunteer
    • Update Your Information

Search form

Menu Close

Search form

  • About
    • About
    • About Dwight Schar
    • A Message from Dean Mark J. Rozell
    • Key Facts
    • Faculty Directory
    • Staff Directory
    • Maps & Directions
    • Contact Us
      • Contact Undergraduate Admissions
      • Contact Graduate Admissions
      • Contact Student Services and Advising
  • Prospective Students
    • Prospective Students
    • Application Requirements
    • Programs of Study
      • Undergraduate Programs
      • Master's Programs
      • PhD Programs
      • Graduate Certificates
      • Security Studies
      • Online Programs
      • Executive Education
      • Visiting Non-Degree Studies
    • Admissions & Aid
      • Graduate Admissions FAQ
      • International Applicant Requirements
      • For Military, Veterans, and Dependents
      • Tuition & Financial Assistance
      • Admitted Students
      • Contact Admissions
    • The Value of a Schar School Degree
    • Explore & Visit
      • Graduate Admissions Recruitment & Events
      • Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment & Events
      • Ask a Graduate Ambassador
      • Ask an Undergraduate Liaison
      • Viewbooks & Publications
    • Request More Information
    • Apply Now
  • Current Students
    • Current Students
    • Short-Term Study Abroad Programs
    • Career Development Office
    • Undergraduate Student Services
      • Undergraduate Advising
      • Undergraduate Career Readiness
      • Undergraduate Minors
      • Undergraduate Internship Program
      • Undergraduate Research Assistant Program
      • Patriot Prelaw Program
      • Accelerated Master’s Programs
      • Undergraduate Services Contact Info
    • Master’s Student Services
      • Academic Policies and Forms
      • Graduate Degree Requirements
      • Master’s 101
      • Master’s FAQ
      • Information About POGO 511
      • Master's Student Services Contact Information
    • PhD Student Services
      • PhD 101
      • PhD FAQs
      • PhD Handbooks and Forms
      • PhD Milestone Guides
      • Doctoral Candidates & Research
      • PhD Student Advising Articles
      • Careers in the Academy
    • Scholarships and Funding
      • Scholarships for Undergrads
      • Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society
      • Grants for PhD Research
      • Graduate Scholarships and Fellowships
      • ERPi Patriot Scholarship for Veterans and Dependents of Veterans
      • Awards for PhD Dissertations
      • Post-Doctoral Fellowships & Awards
    • Course Syllabi and Schedule
      • Academic Calendar
      • Course Syllabi
  • News & Events
    • News and Events
    • Latest News
    • Events Calendar
    • Schar School Magazine
    • Nexus Alumni Newsletter
  • Faculty & Research
    • Office of Grant Development
    • Faculty and Research
    • Research in Action
    • Research Centers, Institutes, and Initiatives
    • Faculty Areas of Research
    • Resources for Faculty and Staff
    • Careers at the Schar School
    • Doctoral Dissertations Index
    • Faculty Directory
  • Alumni
    • Alumni & Annual Campaign
    • Alumni
      • Schar School & Alumni News
      • Alumni Leadership and Chapter
      • Annual Alumni Awards Gala
      • Alumni Career Services
      • Support the Schar School
      • Alumni Faculty/Staff Liaisons
    • Annual Campaign
    • Volunteer
    • Update Your Information
Schar School in the News
Schar School’s Terrorism Center Joins International Conservation Union to Combat Wildlife and Conservation Crimes
January 19, 2021
Schar School Adds Intelligence Expert, Author, TV Commentor David Priess to Faculty
January 13, 2021
Schar School Partners with UiPath for Robotic Process Automation Initiative
January 11, 2021
Despite Life’s Daunting Challenges, Schar School Senior Cassidy Whitehurst Thrives at Mason
January 06, 2021

Upcoming Events
Hayden Center Event - The Assault on Intelligence: After Trump (1/26)
January 26, 2021
George Hutchinson Oral Defense of Dissertation Proposal in Public Policy (1/28)
January 28, 2021
Race and Social Justice Colloquia (2/4)
February 04, 2021
Virtual Resume Clinic (2/4)
February 04, 2021
Recent Tweets

#Biden’s inaugural address linked prosperity to civic virtue. @ScharSchool’s @StevePearlstein analyzed the address in an op-ed for the @washingtonpost. “The pluralistic ideal lies at the core of Biden’s summons to national unity.” https://t.co/UXIeUJabx4 pic.twitter.com/kMD6pffwI9

— Schar School (@ScharSchool) January 21, 2021

Will the same happen to #Trump? @ScharSchool’s @jomaburt discussed #Peru’s ex-head of state being held accountable in court with @newrepublic. Peru showed “its citizens that its system of justice is capable of prosecuting even the most powerful.” https://t.co/WC5VSpUsO3 pic.twitter.com/KYH96ASO9R

— Schar School (@ScharSchool) January 21, 2021

Under #Biden, America has rejoined the @WHO. @ScharSchool’s @SaskiaPopescu tells @Forbes: “I’m truly happy to see that the Biden-Harris administration has prioritized rejoining the WHO.” It’s a good signal to our global partners. https://t.co/J5uGBnNROW pic.twitter.com/ODyGFuLfyj

— Schar School (@ScharSchool) January 21, 2021

As #Biden takes office, he’s expected to issue many orders during his first 100 Days. @ScharSchool’s @MarkJRozellGMU writes in @thehill that this will “showcase that their elections resulted in meaningful and nearly immediate change.” https://t.co/hWWvrorMZR pic.twitter.com/WwRd1ZBnNP

— Schar School (@ScharSchool) January 21, 2021

Is #Biden’s new #Climate team the most powerful yet? It depends. @ScharSchool’s James Pfiffner tells @nytimes that “Certainly, they can be powerful, but only to the extent that their policy area is of primary importance to the president.” https://t.co/WA9tLrY1G4 pic.twitter.com/4DGua1rqZj

— Schar School (@ScharSchool) January 21, 2021

Need to rent? Prices have dropped since March, when #COVID hit us hard. @ScharSchool’s Terry Clower tells @ARLnowDOTcom that it’s definitely due to the #pandemic. “Most of the jobs that we have lost… are typically disproportionately renters.” https://t.co/tpGg8EgTfL pic.twitter.com/pBhRYKN7Yt

— Schar School (@ScharSchool) January 21, 2021

Someone go out and please tell @SenSanders that class @ScharSchool and @GeorgeMasonU don't start until Monday!
(HT @deltondaigle) pic.twitter.com/hdBtQBorir

— Schar School (@ScharSchool) January 21, 2021

#Congratulations to @AndrwLight for his appointment to lead #Biden's Office of International Affairs @ Department of Energy as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy for International Affairs. We look forward to seeing you in the classroom when your term is over. pic.twitter.com/pvJPopfchu

— Schar School (@ScharSchool) January 21, 2021

As #Biden takes office in a few hours, we can look back at #Trump's "economic nationalism" as described by @ScharSchool's Kenneth Reinert @thehill. "Trump’s economic nationalism was largely empty talk. Where it involved action, it was the wrong kind." https://t.co/yh5gdWW5Ow pic.twitter.com/boOlHSxWw4

— Schar School (@ScharSchool) January 20, 2021

What are the pros and cons of living in a state’s capital? Ask @ScharSchool’s Katrin Anacker. Indicators include professional opportunities, affordable housing, decent transportation, infrastructure, amenities, and weather. https://t.co/5qEgUJJJ4t pic.twitter.com/OWgkGP0KNC

— Schar School (@ScharSchool) January 19, 2021
Home » News & Events » Latest News » She’s Investigating Climate Change in the Arctic as a National Security Issue

She’s Investigating Climate Change in the Arctic as a National Security Issue

Three Shocking Weeks on an Icebreaker Provides International Security Master’s Student with Purpose

By Buzz McClain September 19, 2019

Three woman stand on the deck of a cold Coast Guard ship.Marisol Maddox spent three weeks this summer aboard a U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker traveling inside the Arctic Circle. She was prepared for minus-20-with-wind-chill temperatures and brisk 20-plus-hours-a-day sunshine, but the cold temperatures never came. What stood out to her most was something she did not see, even at close to 75-degrees-north.

Ice.

In fact, the region experienced an extraordinary heatwave during the month preceding her journey, with temperatures reaching into the 90s. So much for the minus-20 outfits.

“We recorded record-high water temperatures,” Maddox said. The water was so warm, she said, “the chief scientist on board, Dr. Robert Pickart from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, had to add a new color to his temperature scale.”

Maddox is studying climate change as a national security issue in the Master’s in International Security program at the Schar School of Policy and Government. She’s also a research contractor at the Polar Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, which helped fund her excursion on the 420-foot USCGC Healy. This was an excursion to see firsthand the results of a warming ocean on Alaskan soil and the seas surrounding it. What she saw, and didn’t see, were indicative of concerning trends regarding global warming, which acts as a threat multiplier by impacting multiple sectors of society.

A woman and man in red suits do work on a ship.

“This should not be a partisan issue,” Maddox said. “This is about the need to implement appropriate policy to mitigate massive risk.”

“Marisol Maddox is a pioneer,” said Ellen Laipson, director of the International Security program and the Center for Security Policy Studies at the Schar School. “She has demonstrated a deep commitment to this increasingly critical topic of security implications of climate change. Her exciting adventures outside the classroom will bring some great ground-truth to our classroom discussions.” 

Maddox was already familiar with the looming disastrous consequences of the thinning and retreating ice on the indigenous populations of Alaska, including culture-changing consequences for subsistence hunters. The loss of food sources for humans also reduces the food for wildlife, which also finds a diminished livable habitat. In other words, there is less food for anyone or anything in the region.

“And those subsistence hunters,” she added, “are Alaskans. They are Americans. We are talking about a homeland security issue for people who have co-existed with the land for thousands of years.”

Until recently in the high north, year-round ice extent was much greater. The past few years have seen an ice-free Bering Strait in the winter. As sea ice retreats, new ocean routes are opening, with the potential to provide faster and cheaper access across the top of the world. That might be good news for luxury liners and shipping companies that have the potential to save time and money through a shorter northern route, but the lack of resources in the vicinity—from communications capabilities to emergency response assets—is worrisome for those charged with assuring safety, primarily the Coast Guard.

“With climate change accelerating, as opposed to being a linear process, what does that mean for Coast Guard’s ability to meet their mission set?” Maddox asked, pointing out that one of the Coast Guard’s missions is search and rescue. “More cruise ships are planning Arctic voyages with 1,000-plus people on board, and because of the tyranny of distance in the Arctic region, the ability to rapidly respond to an emergency event is very limited right now…Where are you housing first responders, much less any civilians that need to be evacuated? How are you evacuating that many people?”

The Healy’s main mission is to support research, and Maddox was not alone: There were dozens of scientists on the ship from around the world, gathering data, deploying sensors, and tracking the changes in the region.

“Scientists on board detected the northernmost recorded sample of a harmful algae bloom,” she said. “They were able to use that information to alert local indigenous communities that this was a public health risk and that they should avoid subsistence activities in that area.

“This is a small example of why we need sustained observation in this region,” Maddox said. “We can’t detect it if we aren’t there.”

Request Information

  • CONTACT US
  • Programs of Study
  • PRIVACY POLICY & DISCLAIMER
  • Support the Schar School
  • MESSAGING AND BRAND GUIDE
  • WORK WITH US
  • SITEMAP
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

A Dynamic Education for an Evolving World

Contact Us
Admissions Questions?
703-993-8099  
Schar Undergraduate Admissions: ScharUAA@gmu.edu
Schar Graduate Admissions: Schar@gmu.edu
 
General Inquires
703-993-2280 
 
Van Metre Hall, Fifth Floor
3351 Fairfax Drive,
MS 3B1
Arlington, VA 22201
 
Research Hall Room 359,
MS 3F4 
4400 University Drive 
Fairfax, VA 22030