The Arctic, the resource rich and strategically important area of the planet came under the spotlight today (Tuesday 31 October) when over a hundred key decision makers from a range of sectors, including oil and gas, shipping, ports, defence, fisheries, tourism, insurance, environment and policy met in London to look to the future of the region.
The seminar saw delegates debating the sectoral priorities for data, information and knowledge to support improved understanding, management and regulation of the area north of 66° 33'N¹ .
The one-day workshop was organised by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology - IMarEST); the Inter-Agency Committee for Marine Science and Technology (IACMST); and the Marine Information Alliance (MIA); and sponsored by the National Centre for Ocean Forecasting (NCOF), the Met Office, BP and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). As a result of the workshop, and as the start of the International Polar Year in 2007 draws near, sound recommendations will be made to help support decisions about the future of this unique area of our planet.
"An analysis of the outcomes of the Arctic Workshop will permit us to start to better define the needs for long-term monitoring of the Arctic region," explains Dr Ralph Rayner, Chairman of the Marine Information Alliance and Vice President of IMarEST who chaired the seminar. "This long-term monitoring must satisfy the needs of all stakeholders concerned with protecting the environment, informing sound policy and ensuring that Arctic operations can be conducted safely."
"Today's Arctic Workshop is critically timed as the nature of Global Warming and its impact not only on the environment but its economic consequences are hitting the headlines. The publication of the Stern review provides the backdrop for the workshop and the outcomes of today's discussions from key experts across the science, policy, industry, defence and shipping in the Arctic region will add an urgency to the debate and need for action" says Keith Read, Chief Executive of IMarEST.
Keynote speakers were:-
- Professor Ola Johanassen, Founding Director of the Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center
- Professor Jacqueline McGlade , Executive Director of the European Environment Agency
- Graham Thomas , Director of Arctic and Cold Regions Technology, BP Exploration
- Commander Phil Titterton OBE RN , currently serving with the Ministry of Defence
- Dr Lawson Brigham , Chair, Arctic Council’s Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (2005-2008)
The PowerPoint presentations from the seminar can be found on the IMarEST website at www.imarest.org.
