CCR joins University of the Arctic

The Centre for Climate Repair is proud to have been elected as a member of University of the Arctic (UArctic) at their annual Assembly this weekend. Joining the network is a meaningful opportunity to connect with others seeking to protect the Arctic, to work with them and learn from them.

UArctic is a network of universities and organisations concerned with education and research in the North; their goal is to develop knowledge to address local and global challenges of relevance to Arctic peoples and societies. On 7th June, they welcomed 21 new members into the network: 13 from the Circumpolar North and eight from elsewhere around the globe.

The meeting was hosted by the Sámi Educational Institute in Inari, Sapmi, Finland.

Dr Shaun Fitzgerald, director of the Centre for Climate Repair, was in attendance and said it is "great to be part of this organisation who care greatly about the Arctic." The region, which is predicted to warm 3.5 times faster than the rest of the world, is a key area of concern for the Centre and underpins many of our research projects.

Shaun Fitzgerald with Prof John Moore of the University of Lapland, on Lake Inari

Issues facing the Arctic

The Arctic is rapidly losing sea ice due to warming. The significant reduction being seen in sea ice extent and thickness could have dire consequences not only for the Arctic ecosystem but also for global climate stability.

One of the Centre's aims is to investigate methods that could work alongside emissions reductions to actively prevent ice loss. Halting or reversing Arctic sea ice loss could be a “safety belt” that would inhibit further ocean warming and stop the catastrophic decline in the delicate ecosystems that are unique to this region. It could also protect the rights and livelihoods of the indigenous peoples and local communities in the Arctic in the face of increased shipping, tourism and extraction, and support geopolitical security and defence globally.

The Centre for Climate Repair is already researching a number of ideas that could minimise the loss of sea ice and protect this vital region and home - as part of UArctic, we can work together with others on the same mission.

List of new members joining UArctic. Photo by UArctic

Working together

Joining UArctic places the Centre in a network of passionate researchers and organisations with a wealth and breadth of experience. Ourselves a multidisciplinary team, we understand the value of communication and collaboration. Moreover, as outsiders to the region, this is an opportunity for us to learn from local experts and involve them in our research.

The Assembly was held at the Sámi Cultural Center Sajos, home of the Sámi Parliament. Our connection there is not new; the president of the Parliament sits on the Centre’s Advisory Board to help guide our projects and aims.

On the second evening, attendees were treated to a concert of Sámi music. A rap, performed in two languages, spoke of the fragility of Sámi culture; being so connected to the nature around them, Sámi people expect to face some of the worst effects of climate change and biodiversity loss first.

 Áilu Valle & Mikkâl Morottaja (Amoc) performing at Ukko Restaurant

On the ice

Our friends at Arctic Reflections, based in the Netherlands, were also elected as members at the Assembly. This month, they are joining us on a new project on re-thickening Arctic sea ice, which will build on experiments to test methods of protecting the ice from the summer melt. Fitzgerald recently wrote about the research for The Conversation.

"The ultimate solution is, undoubtedly, deep and rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. But with slow progress over the past few decades, additional measures may buy us time.”

UArctic have created a resource to build understanding of the kinds of ideas being studied.

“These ideas might sound fanciful,” explains Fitzgerald, “but the dramatic changes in the Arctic warrant investigation into interventions that could have an impact sooner than cutting emissions or removing greenhouse gases.

“Crucially, the research is focused on developing our understanding of these potential ideas. The research could show that they are impractical, unfeasible or would potentially make things worse.”

Drone footage of small pumped area in the Arctic. Credit to Arctic Reflections

Building conversations

At the end of June, the Centre for Climate Repair and UArctic are co-hosting a conference on Arctic Repair. With speakers from around the world, the 2.5 day event will focus on solutions that might help protect the Arctic and its peoples from the worst effects of climate change. 

There is still time to register (by 11th June) to join the conversation - we hope this will be a chance to discover the range of opportunities and build hope for the future of the Arctic.