What happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic
Davos 2023
We pitched our tents outside the Schatzalp hotel in Davos to Speak Science to Power for the sixth time. Watch our highlights video and livestream sessions below:
Arctic Basecamp at Davos 2023
Highlights:
- Professor Gail Whiteman was invited to speak or moderate at three sessions in official WEF zones:
- “Unpacking the Polar Crisis” inside the Congress Centre alongside HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, Aslak Holmberg, President of the. Saami Council and moderated by Professor Johan Rockström (watch livestream below)
- Moderating the opening session at the Open Forum entitled ‘In Harmony with Nature’ alongside Marina Silva, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Brazil – (watch livestream below)
- “Turbocharge Scientific Influence in the Age of Anthropocene” closed discussion group inside the Congress Centre alongside Professor Johan Rockström, André Hoffmann and Vice President Al Gore.
- Chief Science Officer, Professor Julienne Stroeve, showcased new updates to the Arctic Risk Platform including a new storyline showing how the Arctic affects the world and is the “Control Centre for Global Climate Risks”.
- Launch of the WEF Hoffmann Fellowship on polar risks as a cross partnership with Arctic Basecamp, the World Economic Forum and the University of Exeter
- A high-level launch of “The Breakthrough Effect” report with the University of Exeter and SYSTEMIQ (funded by the Bezos Earth Fund) which identified three super leverage points for solutions on the climate challenge; Mandating zero-emission vehicles, Mandating green ammonia use in fertiliser production, Redirecting public procurement to promote the uptake of alternative proteins. These changes could trigger a cascade of tipping points in the solutions space.
- Launching Phase II of the WWF-UK Walrus from Space project from the Basecamp tent with Rod Downie (WWF) and Dr. Hannah Cubaynes (British Antarctic Survey) (watch livestream below)
- Visits to our Basecamp from high profile figures inc. Kristalina Georgieva (Managing Director of the IMF), Mubadala and Lyondell Basell
- Professor Whiteman joining the panel focussing on “Sustainable Business Education” hosted by Financial Times/InTent (watch livestream below)
- Co-hosting Climate Solutions in a critical decade in the SDG Tent with the University of Exeter. With opening remarks from HRH Prince Jaime de Bourbon de Parme and speakers; Simon Sharpe, Director of Economics for the UNFCCC Climate Champions, Visiting Fellow – GSI Institute, University of Exeter, Halla Tómasdóttir, CEO and Chief Change Catalyst – The B Team, Professor Julienne Stroeve, Chief Science Officer – Arctic Basecamp & UCL Earth Sciences, Youth Ambassadors and Early Career Scientists from Arctic Basecamp. Moderated by Professor Gail Whiteman (watch livestream below)
- Our Youth Ambassadors and Early Career Scientists opening Arctic Basecamp alongside Ghanian YouTuber, @WodeMaya (watch livestream below)
- Arctic Basecamp Youth Climate Ambassadors and staff taking part in the climate strike alongside Greta Thunberg which was front page news globally
- Our Polar Nightcap co-hosted by Dorrit Moussaieff, Arctic Basecamp Board Member and Former First Lady of Iceland (2003-2016). US actor and activist Rainn Wilson also joined via robot!
- Once again we grabbed the media’s attention and received coverage from major media outlets including ITV and CGTN. Professor Whiteman also participated in a Bloomberg Zero podcast, “How climate reached the world’s elite in Davos” (listen)
Unpacking the Polar Crisis -
The poles are warming up to four times faster than the rest of the planet, destabilizing permafrost, ancient glaciers and sea ice. As such, the Arctic and the Antarctic are the Earth’s “canary in the coalmine”.
Explore the connection between the health of the poles and the health of the planet and how Indigenous communities are promoting harmony with nature in their way of life.
Climate Solutions in a Critical Decade - Jan 19
Host and Moderator: Professor Gail Whiteman, Founder – Arctic Basecamp & Professor of Sustainability – University of Exeter
In Harmony with Nature - Open Forum, Jan 16
Climate change is an undeniable reality. Current lifestyles and organisational practices need to change if we hope to restore the health of the planet and protect the well being of current and future generations.
How do we mobilize action towards climate positive lifestyles?
Walrus From Space - global launch of phase 2 Jan 17
Become a detective and spot walrus from space. A fascinating and engaging launch of the next phase of the project – counting walrus!
Speakers: Rod Downie, WWF-UK and Dr. Hannah Cubaynes, British Antarctic Survey
Responsible Business Education as the New Norm- Jan 16
The leading doctrine in economics and business ignored for too long the interdependencies between business, nature and society. Business schools need a sustainability makeover. Transforming business education is about a new leadership playbook: one that places sustainability, equity and accountability at its heart.
In January 2023, at the SDG Tent, during the World Economic forum in Davos, the Financial Times announced the winners of the Sustainable Business School Award. Read more about the award here.
Youth demand action on climate - Jan 16
Listen to the science & hear the voices of our Youth. Speakers: Amália Garcez, Lim Hui Bing (Cindy), Fabien Moustard, Arthi Ramachandran and YouTube creator @WODEMAYA
You’ve got scientists here that are clearly so committed that they are camping overnight in sub-zero temperatures to try and get their message across
The Facts
The Arctic has been described as the canary in the coalmine for the health of the global environment. It is a complex region that is experiencing unprecedented change.