Where is Arctic Policy Being Made and How Can You Get Involved?

Proposals for a Cleaner Arctic:

Stronger monitoring systems for Black Carbon, Heavy Metals, POPs, and Microsplastics throughout the Arctic.

  • Creation of a science-focused organization led and teamed by Universities around the Arctic with a cycling chairmanship to specifically enable scientists’ to monitor toxins throughout the Arctic more effectively and more local level.
  • Scientific/University representatives from both the Arctic Council member states and permanent participants—to incorporate indigenous knowledge.

On local levels, facilitate collaboration between indigenous communities and scientists to conduct studies on pollution in marine mammals and the environment more generally,

  • For example, create incentive programs whereby indigenous hunters are paid for taking samples, completing surveys, tracking populations, and monitoring diets for scientific research
  • Create an online live database with these data that would map the locations of mammal populations that have low toxin levels and are safe to consume with recommendations for certain food groups

Propose adding Black Carbon to the greenhouse gas list in 5 years and provide research during that stretch into industrial transitions of fuel sources from diesel to petroleum and renewable energies (such as Hydrogen Fuel)

How to get connected:

Arctic Council Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP): AMAP monitors all of our toxins in the Arctic and has the most recent information available.

Follow AMAP’s Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/AMAPSecretariat/

International Arctic Science Committee (IASC): IASC is an international NGO that facilitates cooperation and collaboration within Arctic Research

Arctic Contaminants Action Program: A supporting mechanism for the Arctic Council that encourages action on a national level in order to reduce emissions.

How to get involved:

  1. Buy LED lights – Fluorescent lights use Mercury, so transitioning to LED lights will decrease the amount of Mercury in the environment
  2. Take public transportation, walk, ride your bicycle and reduce carbon footprint by changing your transportation habits
  3. Eat organic vegetables as much as possible
  4. Reduce your own use of pesticides and insecticides to protect waterways
  5. Recycle your batteries and electronics

Donations:

Oceans North: A Canada-based organization working to secure the health of all Northern Oceans with a heavy emphasis on traditional indigenous knowledge.

International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) – This is a group of over 500 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from 120 countries committed to a pollution-free future. Here is a specific link to their information on Mercury.