Arctic | Ecologic Institute: Science and Policy for a Sustainable World

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Project

Environmental Security in the Arctic

January 2010 to July 2011

Ecologic Institute cooperates on researching the "Environmental Security in the Arctic Ocean". The work culminates in a NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) and a book that addresses the prevention of conflicts in relation to scarcity of resources, and threats to environmental security with implications for economic, cultural and political instability. The project's main sponsor is the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme (SPS).

Publication

Schöner Leben im Labor?

Geo-Engineering und das Recht, die Welt zu verändern

The debate about geo-engineering is unstoppable. Strong interests push for research and experimental application. Geo-engineering is a play for time, at best, but always also a dangerous deviation from emission reduction and climate change adaptation. Properly conducted, the debate can help clarify the design of international institutions, argue R. Andreas Kraemer and Ralph Czarnecki of the Ecologic Institute in an article in Internationale Politik, Germany's leading foreign policy magazine.Read more

Project

Arctic Footprint and Policy Assessment

December 2009 to December 2010

The Arctic is often referred to as the bellwether of global climate change. According to the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment and the most recent assessment from IPCC, the warming rate is twice that of the global average, with predictions of further increases leading to substantial loss of Arctic sea ice and large-scale thawing of the permafrost. The Arctic has also been a bellwether for the impact of long-range transboundary air pollution, both regarding human health and how pollutants affect wildlife. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals (e.g. mercury) are transported long distances through air and water, are deposited in the Arctic and bioaccumulate through the food chain. Some indigenous peoples have a high exposure to these pollutants, primarily through their diet. The goal of this project is to improve the effectiveness of EU environmental policies with respect to the Arctic region.

Presentation

Transatlantic Program

Arctic Transform - Transatlantic Policy Options for Supporting Adaptation in the Marine Arctic

TimeLoc

16 November 2009

Brussels

Belgium

R. Andreas Kraemer

Since 2007, on initiative by the European Parliament, the European Commission (DG Relex) has sponsored transatlantic dialogues with a view to developing new approaches for handling global challenges. A conference in Brussels on 16 November 2009 reviewed the results of the first 5 pilot projects. R. Andreas Kraemer presented the outcomes of the Arctic Transform dialogue initiated by Ecologic Institute.Read more

Presentation

Transatlantic Program

The Arctic Tomorrow - Confrontation or Cooperation?

TimeLoc

29 September 2009

Ottawa

Canada

R. Andreas Kraemer

In the North polar region, key nations of the world will answer the key question: Will confrontation or cooperation reign in the Arctic of Tomorrow. R. Andreas Kraemer of Ecologic Institute sketched the future as keynote panellist at the Arctic Future Forum of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Rideau Institute in Ottawa, ON, on 29 September 2009. The Forum focused on security and arms control, climate change and energy. The key findings and a summary report of the Arctic Future Forum in Ottawa, ON, on 29 September 2009 is available download.Read more

Publication

Transatlantic Program

Transatlantic Policy Options for Supporting Adaptation in the Marine Arctic

Summary for Policy Makers

This policy brief draws upon a series of background papers, expert meetings, and interviews to provide an overview of the international and EU governance options for addressing the rapid changes underway in the region. While reflecting the opinions of its authors, this policy brief benefits from the opinions and insights of the experts participating in the five thematic working groups of Arctic TRANSFORM.Read more

Project

Arctic

Biodiversity

Newly identified: 77 Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas in the Arctic marine environment

June 2009 to June 2011

New maps identifying 77 Areas of Ecologically or Biologically Significance (EBSAs) in the Arctic marine environment are now available through a recent project led by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Ecologic Institute. The report identifies 13 "Super EBSAs" which are of key importance because they meet many or all criteria developed under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).The report is available for download.Read more

Event

International Environmental Law

Transatlantic Program

Geoengineering and the Governance of International Spaces

TimeLoc

22 April 2009

Washington, DC

United States

Speaker

Paul Berkman

Ralph Czarnecki

There is growing interest in the idea of geoengineering, the purposeful and large-scale modification of the natural environment, especially since the article in Foreign Affairs "The Geoengineering Option" by David Victor and others. Jointly with the Foundation for the Good Governance of International Spaces, Ecologic Institute held this Transatlantic Luncheon in Washington DC on 22 April 2009. Guests of honour were Paul Berkman, Scott Polar Institute, University of Cambridge, and Ralph Czarnecki, Ecologic Institute.

Presentation

Transatlantic Program

Changing Arctic: Changing Planet

TimeLoc

28 March 2009

Aspen, CO

R. Andreas Kraemer

During the 2009 Aspen Environment Forum, the conversation addressed the changing Arctic in discussion with Sven Lindblad of Lindblad Expeditions, NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco, Climate Communications Director Susan Joy Hassol, Oceanographer Sylvia Earle, author Charles Wohlforth, Elizabeth Cheney of Shell Oil, Ecologic Institute Director R. Andreas Kraemer, and University of Alaska Chancellor Fran Ulmer. Aspen Institute's Executive Director of the Energy and Environment Program, David Monsma, moderatedRead more

Presentation

Protecting the Arctic marine environment in a changing climate – options for transatlantic and international governance

TimeLoc

12 March 2009

Copenhagen

Denmark

Sandra Cavalieri

Katharina Umpfenbach

At the International Scientific Congress “Climate Change: Global Risks, Challenges & Decisions”, experts presented a summary of scientific findings since the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment. The congress attracted broad international attention in the run-up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-15) in Copenhagen in December 2009. In the session entitled “Integrating Climate Change into Global Sustainability”, Sandra Cavalieri presented transatlantic and international policy options to protect the Arctic marine environment that had emerged from the Arctic TRANSFORM project.Read more