Come this fall, Arctic Frontiers will host a series of panel discussions about safe and sustainable coasts in the Arctic in a two-city series of Abroad events. The first part of the panel discussions takes place in Vancouver, Canada, on the 19th and 20th of October in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy in Canada, followed by a second set of panel discussions in Seattle, USA, on October 23rd and 24th. The focus of these panels will be connected to the One Ocean Expedition of the Statsraad Lehmkuhl tallship, which is in port in Vancouver from the 17th to 21st of October and Seattle from the 22nd.

For the Seattle part of the panel discussions, read more here. 

Vancouver, Canada

Changing geopolitical contexts and climate change are driving increased interest in the Arctic, especially along the Northwest Passage. However, less ice coverage does not necessarily equate to safer maritime activities.

Subsequently, the overarching themes for our panel discussions will be about safe and green maritime activities in the Arctic. This overarching theme will include subthemes such as sea-ice forecasting, earth observations, green developments, blue economy, and the overlap between security and climate change. A number of panel discussions will bring together research, business, policy and local perspectives, for holistic discussions on the challenges and advantages of operating in the Arctic maritime sector.

For our three planned panel discussions in Vancouver, the following overarching titles have come into place:

Monday 20th October – 09:00 – 13:00

Panel 1: Sailing amongst Declining Sea Ice 

Decreasing sea ice in the Northwest Passage (NWP) due to global climate change does not equate to a reduced danger for shipping. But it does lead to an increased danger for coastal and Indigenous communities who live and hunt on the ice. Successful international programs require a strong aspect of science diplomacy and communication, as well as close collaboration with Indigenous knowledge holders. The planning of these large projects is underway, so how will one coastal nation work together with another for the understanding of shared oceans?  

Panel 2: Safe Maritime Activities

Changing geopolitical alliances and climate change are combining to challenge how emergency preparedness and shipping in the Arctic is progressing. The space industry is emerging as the connecting factor across national boundaries and the boundaries between science, business, defence and geopolitics. What role do businesses have in sharing their knowledge and data? Safe and sustainable shipping relies on infrastructure, preparedness and community resilience. In this panel, we will untangle what safe shipping looks like for those on land and for ecosystems in the oceans.  

Panel 3: Green and Blue Business Opportunities

Norway and Canada have experience and ambitions regarding green maritime activities and blue economies, but how can business opportunities be enhanced or limited by policies? Do multiple coastal and maritime activities such as shipping, fishing, tourism and energy extraction compete or share interests? Can innovation within the research field provide new solutions or are businesses leading the revolution? In this panel, business leaders and developers in blue business opportunities will discuss current and future projects.