GRID Polar Division News

The Arctic Biodiversity Assessment report will be launched at the largest ever gathering of polar scientists in Oslo, at the International Polar Year Science Conference.

Members of GRID’s Polar Programme are attending the International Polar Year 2007-2008 Oslo Science Conference, taking place from the 8th to the 12th June. The IPY Oslo Science Conference is to demonstrate, strengthen, and extend IPY’s remarkable accomplishments in science and outreach – and is the largest ever gathering of polar scientists to take place, with over 2000 participants.

Arctic Biodiversity Assessment – Arctic Biodiversity Trends 2010: Selected indicators of change report Unique Arctic habitats for flora and fauna, including sea ice, tundra, lakes, and peatlands have been disappearing over recent decades, and some characteristic Arctic species have shown a decline. The changes in Arctic Biodiversity have global repercussions and are further creating challenges for people living in the Arctic.

Representatives of indigenous peoples of seven circumpolar countries met in Moscow between the 14-15 April 2010 to discuss prospects for the development  in the Arctic in the context of intensifying industrial development under conditions of climate change in the Arctic. The outcome of the Summit - the Moscow Declaration - "Industrial Development of the Arctic under climate change" 

Alyssa Johl, from MSV partner Climate Law and Policy Project, shares her impressions of the 4th day of climate change negotiations in Bangkok.

Driven by the need to protect the cultures and livelihoods of countries and regions most affected by climate change, representatives of Arctic communities and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have joined in calling for action before it is too late.

New Arctic climate report, prepared by WWF with inputs from the UNEP Key Polar Centre at GRID-Arendal

GRID-Arendal is working at the UNFCCC meetings in Bali with many partners from different parts of the world. Activities include coordinating activities under Many Strong Voices; holding consultations on a draft of UNEP's Indigenous People's policy; and working with CICERO to promote the messages from the UNEP Global Outlook on Ice and Snow.

Nairobi/New York, 25 October: The United Nations Environment Programme says that major threats to the planet such as climate change, the rate of extinction of species, and the challenge of feeding a growing population are among the many that remain unresolved, and all of them put humanity at risk.

The extent of sea ice in the Arctic is an important indicator for climate change, and the 2007 season has presented a record low in the extent. Map and trends have been updated from Global Outlook for Ice and Snow