Media tour during Arctic Frontiers
Publisert: 14. januar 2020
Journalists attending the Arctic Frontiers Conference 2020 in Tromsø, Norway, are invited to an exclusive tour of the FRAM – High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, and a selection of the institutions located within the Fram Centre building – including the Arctic Council Secretariat, the Arctic Contaminants Action Program, and the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme. The Fram Centre is Tromsø’s hub for polar matters and offers an interdisciplinary environment for researchers and practitioners to address some of the main challenges affecting Arctic ecosystems and communities.
Journalists are offered two theme-based tours, which align with the topics of Arctic Frontiers: “A changing Arctic” and “A sustainable Arctic Ocean”. Each tour will be opened by the FRAM Centre and will then continue to selected institutions for a 15 min visit each. These include the Arctic Council Secretariat, the Norwegian Polar Institute, the Institute of Marine Research, the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme, the Arctic Contaminants Action Program, the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, the Norwegian Institute for Air Research, and Akvaplan-niva.
At the end of each tour (Monday around 14:30, Tuesday around 15:00), journalists are able to go back to an institution of their choice for individual interviews.
Each tour is limited to eight participants. Journalists interested in joining one of the tours should register with Helge Markusson (helge.markusson@framsenteret.no). Slots are given on a first come first serve basis. Registration deadline is Sunday, 26 January 2020.
Institutions who will be visited
Arctic Contaminants Action Program
The Arctic Contaminants Action Program (ACAP) is a Working Group under the Arctic Council. Its objective is to prevent adverse effects from, reduce, and ultimately eliminate pollution of the Arctic environment. ACAP addresses Arctic pollution sources and acts as a strengthening and supporting mechanism to encourage national actions to reduce emissions and other releases of pollutants that are relevant in the Arctic.
Arctic Council Secretariat
The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.
Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme
The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) is a Working Group under the Arctic Council. It is mandated to monitor and assess the status of the Arctic region with respect to pollution and climate change issues. AMAP also documents levels and trends, pathways and processes, and effects on ecosystems and humans, and propose actions to reduce associated threats for consideration by governments. The Working Group produces sound science-based, policy-relevant assessments and public outreach products to inform policy and decision-making processes.
Akvaplan-niva
Akvaplan-niva has 130 employees, and the main office is in Tromsø. Akvaplan-niva scientists are engaged in cross-disciplinary research programs on water related issues. Several of Akvaplan-niva’s employees have positions at universities in Norway and abroad and contribute to educational programs as well as in the supervision of young scientists.
Fram Centre
FRAM – High North Research Centre consist of scientists from 21 institutions involved in interdisciplinary research and outreach in the fields of natural science, technology and social sciences. The Fram Centre contributes to strengthening the connection between research and education. It is an important arena nationally as well as internationally and contributes with inputs on climate-related issues.
Norwegian Institute for Air Research
Norwegian Institute for Air Research is an independent, nonprofit institution established in 1969. The department at the Fram Centre in Tromsø includes laboratories handling air quality and environmental contaminants. Other ore research areas are atmospheric composition and climate changes.
Institute of Marine Research
The Institute of Marine Research (IMR) is one of the biggest marine research institutes in Europe, with about 1,000 employees. 80 of which are located at the Fram Centre in Tromsø. Its main activities are research, advisory work and monitoring. In addition, the Research Vessel Department has ownership responsibility for the research vessels, which are its most important tools for collecting marine data. The IMR also has several laboratories that analyse the samples taken by its monitoring and research programmes.
Norwegian Institute of Nature Research
Norwegian Institute of Nature Research (NINA) is an independent foundation for nature research on the interaction between human society, natural resources and biodiversity. The department in Tromsø focuses its work on Arctic themes.
Norwegian Polar Institute
The Norwegian Polar Institute is a directorate under the Ministry of the Climate and Environment. Its main office is in the Fram Centre in Tromsø The institute’s activities are focused on environmental management needs in the polar regions. In addition to collaboration on environmental protection in the Barents region, the Institute dedicates much effort to research on climate, long-range transport of pollutants and their impact on the environment, and biodiversity.
