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The post Results of the Call for Applications for the 2024 ArCS II Overseas Fellowship Program first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

Report of the Second International Advisory Board PDF

Report of the second International Advisory Board, which was held on February 15-16, 2024, has been issued.

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• IAB (International Advisory Board)｜ArCS II Management

The post Report of the Second International Advisory Board first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

The Albert II Foundation, the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR) organized the second scientific symposium on polar change “From the Arctic to the Antarctic” on February 22 and 23, 2024 in Monaco. The polar activities were based on the “Polar Initiative” of Prince Albert II of Monaco inheriting the ideas of Albert I of Monaco, who devoted his efforts to ocean research and education and traveled to the oceans around the world, including the polar regions.

The symposium was held with the aim of better understanding the phenomena common to both the North and South Poles, identifying their impact on the entire planet, and proposing appropriate responses.

At the Oceanography Museum, Prince Albert II, former H.E. President of Iceland Grímson, Vice President Jefferson Cardia Simoes from SCAR, President Henry Burgess and other secretariat members from IASC, and Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI), British Antarctic Survey (BAS), France, the US, etc. approximately 120 people were participated, including people involved in polar research, WWF, NPOs, the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Sami Council, and journalists.

In his opening speech, Prince Albert II of Monaco emphasized the importance of the polar regions as a precursor to climate change and also spoke about issues that should be addressed jointly internationally, environmental conservation and economic activities. Additionally, a panel discussion and group discussions were held.

The symposium had two themes: developing and collaborating on bipolar initiatives for the next decade and adaptation and mitigation strategies for emerging polar challenges related to the impacts of human activities such as fishing, tourism, and mining. The theme focus possible increased synchronized international efforts over the next decade, the importance of continuing and developing cross-border cooperation, and action-oriented communication on polar research results and their global implications. These themes also lead to the IPY2032/33 and ICARP IV.

In terms of society, economy, and tourism, the interests and issues of the Antarctic and the Arctic are different. In the Arctic, tourism leads to an understanding of local culture and the effectiveness of local economic activities, visits, and contacts were mentioned.

There is a perspective of understanding the culture and issues of indigenous peoples. Meanwhile, the Antarctic group’s discussion brought up overtourism and the need for education and outreach to prevent it.

At the meeting, opinions were exchanged about WEF and AEF (Arctic Economic Council)’s economic activities and involvement in polar regions, as well as the research and educational support activities of multiple foundations.

Early Career Scientists (ECSs) from Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) were invited to the conference, and an award ceremony for the fellowship program for young people’s activities was also held during the meeting.

The post Report on The Polar Symposium 2024 first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).

“Life and Climate Change in the Arctic Island of Greenland” was held as an outreach activity of the ArCS II Research Program on Human Society at Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (日本科学未来館). Dr. Alyne Delaney of Tohoku University’s Center for Northeast Asian Studies organized the event which focused on the impact of climate change on local people’s way of life. It also connected the changes that people are facing (such as climate change and economic conditions), with a focus on the sea and marine resources of Greenland. The “icy sea” was the connecting thread between the speakers.

The event opened with three original songs by Qaanaaq hunter and musician Aleqatsiaq Peary. Mr. Peary was featured National Geographic’s The Last Ice (2020) and served as a guide for Dr. Delaney during her fieldwork. While Mr. Peary’s songs played, a slideshow of the speakers and photos of Greenland’s nature and people played. Dr. Delaney then officially opened the event with a brief introduction of the speakers, as well as to Greenlandic society. Mr. Jacob Isbosethsen, Head Representative of the Government of Greenland to Asia, then gave a welcome speech to the audience. These talks were followed by four speakers. Mr. Takaaki Shimoda, Managing Director of Royal Greenland Japan, and University of Hokkaido Assistant professor Makoto Tomiyasu next spoke about the fisheries and sustainability.

The fisheries related talks were followed with a slideshow and talk by Tsutomu Endo, a professional photographer, who has spent years documenting the life of Arctic peoples. For this day he focused on, visual documentation of climate change from the perspective of hunting. The final speaker was Ms. Pipaluk Lykke, who joined us from Greenland to speak about her role in a project to teach water safety to young people. Greenland has a high rate of drowning at sea and this was one activity to combat this trend. The event ended with an open Question & Answer session, giving the audience an opportunity to speak directly with the event’s speakers.

Overall, the speakers explored the intricate relationship between the inhabitants of Greenland and their marine surroundings, delving into the realms of fishing, hunting, daily routines, traditional customs, and contemporary society. The challenges of changes to sea ice cover and climate change were also presented and discussed.

The event was organized by the Center for Northeast Asian Studies (Tohoku University) as a part of ArCS II Research Program on Human Society, with co-sponsorship by the Royal Danish Embassy (Japan) and Royal Greenland Japan. With 90 guests officially registered, plus the organizer, speakers, special guests, and student helpers, the event was felt to be a great success. Afterwards, Jacob Isbosethsen (Government of Greenland) even asked when the next event would be held, and if there would be another one this year.

The post Report on ”Life and Climate Change on the Arctic Island of Greenland“ first appeared on The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II).