“The Legacy of Nansen” has brought together 250 researchers from Norway and 18 other countries to present and discuss their research findings. The project’s goal is to merge the newly established knowledge base from the Barents Sea with similar research from other parts of the Arctic, aiming to create a solid foundation for better understanding and management of the entire Arctic Ocean. Tromsø, which served as the starting point for Nansen’s historic Fram expedition 130 years ago, is once again the gateway to a new era of Arctic exploration.
The northern Barents Sea has experienced dramatic changes in recent years, with significant reductions in ice extent and thickness. Meanwhile, the area just south of this sea is of great importance to Norway’s fishing resources, particularly in ice-free waters. The conference to be held next week will provide a unique opportunity for researchers to share their findings and insights from different parts of the Arctic, thereby increasing our understanding of both similarities and differences in Arctic marine regions.
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Example of a fact sheet produced by “The Legacy of Nansen.” The fact sheet above addresses the topic of sea ice, but fact sheets are also produced on subjects such as biodiversity, ocean acidification, and weather forecasting in the Arctic.
Project leader of “The Legacy of Nansen,” Marit Reigstad, emphasizes the importance of bringing together oceanographers studying different parts of the Arctic, especially in a time when Arctic climate change is four times greater than the global average. “The Legacy of Nansen” is proud to host this conference and plays a central role in promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing among researchers.
In addition to research presentations, the conference will include a panel discussion addressing questions about how knowledge of climate change can be utilized, how people in the Arctic can adapt to the increasing climate and ecosystem changes, and how resources and activities in the Arctic Ocean can be best managed. To make the new knowledge accessible to various user groups, “The Legacy of Nansen” will also release a series of fact sheets summarizing findings and knowledge status during the conference.
In addition to the academic aspect, there will also be a photo exhibition at the conference hotel, “The Edge,” providing both Tromsø locals and visitors with insights into how Arctic research is conducted.
With this conference, Tromsø and “The Legacy of Nansen” take a significant step towards a deeper understanding of the Arctic and the challenges it faces. This event also serves as a tribute to Nansen’s historic expedition and his contribution to our knowledge of the Arctic.
Arctic sea ice is rapidly diminishing. To understand the processes occurring in the ocean beneath the ice, researchers create a hole and place research equipment in and under the sea ice. Image: Christian Morel/christianmorel.net/”The Legacy of Nansen”
Contact Information (Including Interview Requests)
Charlotte Stark (Communication Advisor) – charlottes@met.no
Marit Reigstad (Project Leader) – marit.reigstad@uit.no
Conference Website: https://nansenlegacy-symposium.com
Conference Program:
PDF Version: https://www.nansenlegacy-symposium.com/program/program-pdf-version
Online Version: https://www.nansenlegacy-symposium.com/program/program-overview