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Research visit to Nuuk and Copenhagen to report the research project in Qaanaaq

Shin Sugiyama (Hokkaido University)
Related Research Program: Coastal Environments

ArCS II Research Program on Coastal Environment studies the impact of climate change on natural and social environments in Qaanaaq, northwestern Greenland. To introduce our activity in Qaanaaq to researchers, government, public and private bodies in Greenland and Denmark, four ArCS II researchers traveled to Nuuk and Copenhagen from 26 November to 6 December 2024.

(Fig. 1) Nuuk, the capital of Greenland

In the capital of Greenland, Nuuk (Fig. 1), a research seminar was organized at GINR (Greenland Institute of Natural Resources) (Fig. 2). After the overview given by Shin Sugiyama, the program PI from Hokkaido University, Monica Ogawa (Hokkaido University/Kyoto University), Evgeny Podolskiy (Hokkaido University) and Tatsuya Watanabe (Kitami Institute of Technology) presented studies on marine mammals, acoustics, and landslides. The research project in Qaanaaq has been performed in collaboration with GINR, thus discussion during and after the seminar was focused on the exchange of ideas, sharing data, and further collaboration in the future. A meeting at the Ministry of Business, Trade, Mineral Resources, Justice and Gender Equality was targeted on landslides, which threaten communities along the coast of Greenland. Experience and ideas of landslide disaster prevention were introduced by researchers in the ministry as well as the ArCS II researchers (Fig. 3). Further, we visited Arctic Hub, WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and the Fishermen and Hunters Association in Greenland (KNAPK). Among those, the visit to the Hunters Association was an important opportunity to receive information based on communities and compliments to our collaboration with hunters in Qaanaaq (Fig. 4). In Copenhagen, seminars and meetings took place in GEUS (Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland), Aarhus University, and the GINR office in Copenhagen. The project in Qaanaaq was introduced to a broad range of researchers and active discussion was performed based on ongoing international collaborations with researchers in these institutions.

(Fig. 2) Coffee break meeting in GINR
(Fig. 3) Meeting on landslide disaster at Greenlandic Ministry
(Fig. 4) Visit to KNAPK
(Fig. 5) Discussion after presentations at GEUS

Because of the lack of data as well as its unique natural and cultural environments, the Qaanaaq region is drawing attention of researchers over the world. With this background, the long-term research activity performed by Japanese in the region has an increasing value. In addition to the scientific achievements, co-designing of research with the residents is highly appreciated as a good practice in Greenland. Studies on marine mammals, natural disasters, and waste management are particularly important for the life of the people living along the coast, thus feedback to the government as well as communities are required. During the meetings and seminars in Nuuk and Copenhagen, a number of suggestions were made on how to better use our research results for the society. To contribute to the future of the Arctic society, dialogues are necessary with various stakeholders, including local communities, government, researchers and indigenous people.

We thank Fernando Ugarte (GINR), Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen (GINR Copenhagen), Eva Mätzler (Ministry of Business, Trade, Mineral Resources, Justice and Gender Equality in Greenland), Nicoline Larsen (Arctic Hub), Vittus Qujaukitsoq (KNAPK), Anders Mosbech (Aarhus University), Jason Box (GEUS), Andreas Ahlstrøm(GEUS) and Sakiko Daorana for their help and hospitality during the research visit.