Ocean Observing Awareness CampaignPart 3: Arctic Ocean Observing

The third segment of the EU4OceanObs ocean observing awareness campaign focuses on Arctic Ocean observation. With the rapid warming of the Arctic, estimated at four times faster than the rest of the planet in recent decades, Arctic sea ice and the Greenland ice sheet are declining faster than ever, and permafrost across the Arctic is increasingly thawing. Hitting local communities the hardest, the consequences are global. From accelerating temperature rise to contributing to sea level rise, disturbing weather systems, and leading to the destruction of ecosystems. Intensifying the monitoring of this vulnerable region and prediction of its future state is more than ever needed to inform mitigation and adaption actions and rapidly increase conservation efforts.

“Climate change is taking its toll on the Arctic, the environment, and its people. Taking action now will help us restore the balance we have lost and save the region from the devastating effects of climate change. It is our responsibility to take care of the Arctic and of the people who live there, now and in the future.”
Virginijus Sinkevicius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries.

The EU4OceanObs Arctic series will raise awareness on the need for sustained and comprehensive in situ observations in the Arctic (complementing satellite observations and numerical modelling) to improve our knowledge of the current state of the Arctic and better predict its changing state. At the same time, the campaign highlights the European Union’s (EU) strong commitment to Arctic Ocean observing showcasing various EU-supported observation networks, programmes and projects is supporting the monitoring of the Arctic marine environment, including partnerships with different sectors. From measuring ocean deoxygenation and ecosystem changes such as loss in plankton to monitoring marine litter, the communication campaign uses photography, storytelling and videos to illustrate the Arctic ecosystem and examples of measurements to understand climate change/anthropogenic impacts.

CTD on Commandant Charcot Vessel

Studying the polar regions, however, presents unique challenges. The Arctic’s extreme and volatile conditions, its remoteness, and its vast size all contribute to the formidable obstacles faced by researchers. “But we know that understanding the transformations occurring in the Arctic is crucial to predicting global climate trends and safeguarding marine ecosystems, says Dr. Véronique Garçon of the Global Ocean Oxygen Decade (GOOD) programme. “The deep waters of the Arctic form part of the global ‘conveyor belt’ of ocean circulation, influencing deep water masses worldwide. Therefore, sampling in the Arctic is also essential for understanding changes in deep waters.”

Within the context of this communication campaign, EU4OceanObs contracted photographer Xavier Boymond to accompany the GEOMAR/ Global Ocean Oxygen Decade (GOOD) Programme science team expedition to Svalbard, north of the Arctic circle, in July 2023 on board the state-of-the-art icebreaker – le Commandat Charcot. This exceptional collaboration is supported by the partnership between the EU Arctic Research Icebreaker Consortium (ARICE) and PONANT SCIENCE. Started in 2021, over the course of five years, the partnership will enable science teams to travel to the Arctic and conduct experiments (sampling, lab work, data analysis) on board le Commandat Charcot.

Articles

EU4OceanObs worked with scientific journalist, Kira Coley, to prepare a series of articles, illustrated by footage by photographer Xavier Boymond, seeking to tell a story about joint European efforts to observe what is happening in the Arctic, within the context of the GEOMAR/GOOD programme/ARICE/ PONANT partnership. Through the articles, readers will be able to journey out into the Arctic and understand some of the biggest challenges this vulnerable yet critical ecosystem for our planet is facing as well as the difficulties of such scientific undertakings. The audience will also get a first-hand impression from scientists involved and get acquainted with some of the human faces and diversity of profiles behind Arctic Ocean observation and science in the EU.

Click on the titles below to access each article.

Breaking Ice and Barriers: A Tale of Partnership, Preservation, and Promise

The Arctic, far more than a cinematic expanse of ice, serves as a crucial gauge for our planet’s health. Its delicate balance is under threat, with alarming changes unfolding across its vast landscapes. The urgency to understand these shifts has never been greater. By gathering comprehensive data on the Arctic ecosystem, we aim to decode its present state, anticipate future scenarios, and mobilise global action. EU scientists are at the forefront of this endeavour, highlighting the pivotal role of collaborative efforts in both understanding and preserving this unique and fragile environment.

CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE

Beneath the Arctic Ice: The Subtle Ebb of Ocean Oxygen

Oxygen is critical for all forms of life. Marine organisms, like humans, depend on it to breathe. “However, climate change is having a huge impact on the ocean, and now the ocean is losing its breath, with an estimated 2% reduction in global ocean oxygen content since the 1950s. Find out about how the GOOD-IMDOS science team’s expedition to the Artic in June 2023 to measure oxygen levels in the Arctic Ocean as a part of a larger 5-year campaign contributing to the Global Ocean Oxygen Decade (GOOD) initiative.

CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE.

From Ocean to Ice: Tracking Plastic Pollution in the Arctic

In the vast expanse of the Arctic, a silent yet pervasive threat lurks beneath the ice: plastic pollution. This remote region, a symbol of natural beauty, is not immune to the global environmental crisis. As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of human activity, scientists engage in critical research to understand the full extent of marine litter in the Arctic, highlighting our profound interconnectedness with nature.

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A World Under Ice: How Plankton Shapes Life in a Secluded Arctic Village

Nestled against the stark, icy backdrop of Greenland’s east coast, one of Earth’s most secluded settlements provides a splash of vibrant colours in a world of white: blue, red, green, and orange houses cling to the side of a mountainside, like a painter’s palette dropped on snow. This was Ittoqqortoormiit, pronounced it-ockor-tormit, a living testament to the symbiotic relationship between humans and the environment. Here, the sea ice is not just a barrier but a lifeline, a connector to ancestral traditions, and a crucial means for travel and hunting, all sustained by the rich biodiversity under the ice, anchored by plankton.

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Innovative Alliances: The Transformative Impact of Science-Industry Partnerships

As the impacts of climate change intensify, the need to delve deeper and understand more about our ocean has never been more important. But exploring this vast expanse, which envelops 70% of our planet, is a colossal task that scientists cannot tackle alone–it must be a collective pursuit and a shared responsibility. It is within this context that innovative alliances between public entities, private sectors, and citizens are becoming increasingly crucial. These partnerships are pivotal, serving as conduits for knowledge, exploration, and innovation, and are essential for advancing our understanding of our blue planet.

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Videos

The videos below provide insight into the European Union’s commitment to Arctic Ocean Observing by highlighting the EU’s Arctic Policy and observation programmes, services, data infrastructures and projects all working to enhance monitoring and forecasting of the Arctic marine environment.

Disclaimer: The videos were produced by each initiative highlighted and not by EU4OceanObs.