Nowhere on Earth is warming as quickly as the Arctic. To better understand what this could mean, more than 35 international partner organisations and eight Indigenous communities have come together over the past five years to develop an environmental observation system. This work has been conducted within the Arctic PASSION EU project, coordinated by Michael Karcher of the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). At the final symposium in Potsdam, the project members presented their findings and discussed how science, politics and local communities could work together in future to further develop the Arctic observation system, in order to be better prepared for coming changes in the Arctic.
The aim of the Arctic PASSION project was to shore up the existing Arctic observation system and to strengthen the links between scientific data, local observations and Indigenous knowledge. In such a rapidly changing region, it is crucial to have all necessary information to hand to be able to make informed decisions on a local, national and international level. “The basis for our work over the past five years was establishing an international network that connects the people of the Arctic with science, politics, business and administration,” says Michael Karcher, coordinator of Arctic PASSION. “This has enabled us to better coordinate measurement campaigns, standardise methods and develop information services that are directly tailored to the needs of the people in the Arctic.”
In addition to increased scientific measurements on land, in the ocean and in the atmosphere, as well as improved data exchange, one of the project’s key focuses was close collaboration with eight Indigenous communities from different regions of the Arctic. Among other things, this resulted in the creation of the “Event Database”, which brings together Indigenous knowledge and scientific observations on local environmental changes. “This database is extremely valuable and contains, for example, oral histories that date back further than the scientific data available to us,” explains Karcher. “It supports the local people in their decision making, while simultaneously providing new insights into regional processes.” On top of that, the project teams developed seven additional Arctic information services that offer specific applications for research, politics and society (Arctic Services). These include services such as early warning systems for forest fires (INFRA) and air pollution (AURORAE), analyses of thawing permafrost (ALEX) and risks to infrastructure, as well as better-quality information for shipping and fishing (POLARIS).
The work for Arctic PASSION took place during a challenging time globally. The project began during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine meant that cooperation with Russian partners and Indigenous communities could no longer go ahead. “For a project aiming for a pan-Arctic approach, that was a bitter loss,” says the project coordinator. “Nevertheless, we were successfully able to strengthen our cooperation with all other partners and continue our joint work.”
At the end of September, the symposium in Potsdam brought together representatives from the fields of science and politics, as well as from the Indigenous communities (LINK). The key findings were covered in presentations, panel discussions and interactive exhibitions. Focus was given to: scientific and Indigenous observations and measurements; improving the Arctic data system; the need for and potential benefits of an observation system for local communities to support with better coordination and governance; as well as a look ahead to the 5th International Polar Year that will be held in the early 2030s. “The symposium was an important milestone for gathering together the results of Arctic PASSION and looking ahead to the future,” says Karcher.
Many activities will continue even after the project ends. The data collected and the information services developed remain available and will be maintained by the participating institutions. However, that said, long-term financing for Arctic observation systems remains a challenge. “To continue this sustainably, we need stable structures and a shared financial foundation,” emphasises the AWI researcher. “For this, we call upon the nations and the European Union to develop models that enable a permanent Arctic environmental observation network.” The Arctic PASSION team have already submitted a follow-up proposal, particularly aimed at further expanding the coordination and involvement of Indigenous organisations in the observation system. This should help to lay the foundations for providing reliable and freely accessible environmental observations from the Arctic going forward, thereby supporting a secure and sustainable future for the region.
Event Database of CBM Using Oral Histories, Indigenous knowledge and local knowledge