Speakers:
● Global political shifts and their implications for the Arctic and climate change by Professor Oran Young, University of California
● The role of the Arctic in global climate governance and diplomacy by Barents Chair Professor Rasmus Gjedssø Bertelsen, UiT
● Comments by Master Student in the Arctic Governance research group at UiT, Hege Kallbekken
The Arctic is particularly affected by climate change, and Arctic climate change has strong global effects on climates, environments and communities. The Arctic is also central to global climate science, diplomacy and governance. Climate change is one of the greatest research and policy challenges humanity is facing today compounding environmental, technological, ethical and political challenges. The Three Poles of the Arctic, the Antarctic and the Himalayas are central to addressing these challenges. They are especially central in supplying the scientific knowledge for understanding, monitoring, mitigating and adapting to climate change.
The world comes together in Paris in December 2015 for the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). UiT The Arctic University of Norway is expected to gain observer status with the UNFCCC and will thus send a delegation to COP21. Together with other Arctic universities, UiT will highlight the centrality of Arctic for global climate science, diplomacy and governance.
Free breakfast along with coffee and tea will be served from 8:45. Everyone on and off campus in Tromsø is welcome!