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Short Abstract

This presentation highlights the topic of marine pollution in the Arctic, and the ways community based participatory research with local indigenous and non-indigenous communities, and citizen science conducted with school pupils and other local experts, may be used in tackling the pollution issue.

Abstract

ArcSolution is a transdisciplinary project that aims to reduce pollution in the Arctic using a comprehensive approach that considers both environmental and human health. Pollution in the Arctic is a big problem and it harms the environment and the health of the people and animals there. Climate change causes ice to melt, which releases harmful pollutants, and new pollutants are entering the area because of human activity. The result is severe problems for the plants and animals, water and food security, and the local communities. ArcSolution is working to solve these problems. The project uses the latest science and works with the people who live in the Arctic to find the best solutions. The project studies pollutants like organic chemicals, heavy metals, microplastics, and pathogens, and the oceans and other water bodies are central contexts, where these pollutants are studied. The goal is to create sustainable solutions that involve communities in protecting the environment and human health.

ArcSolution projects is conducted in several Arctic study locations in Norway, Svalbard, Finland, Greenland, Faroe Islands and Canada. In this presentation we offer an outline of the topic of marine pollution in the Arctic, specifically in ArcSolution study locations, and the ways community based participatory research with local indigenous and non-indigenous communities, and citizen science conducted with school pupils and other local experts are used in ArcSolution in tackling the pollution issue.