The Contribution of Space Technologies to Arctic Policy Priorities

The applications of EO in pollution detection are mature and for the most part are relevant for the Arctic. A limitation in Arctic waters is oil spill detection and monitoring, because satellite radar does not work well if the oil slick is under ice. If oil slicks are moving quickly due to strong currents or winds, the frequency of repeat satellite passes can create problems, reinforcing the importance of the availability of data from planned missions such as Sentinel 1 and 3 and Radarsat Constellation. The use of optical satellite imagery for water quality monitoring, including chlorophyll, sediment concentration and concentration of dissolved organic matter in the Arctic is restricted to ice-free periods. The use of concurrent in-situ observations via dedicated, long-term measurement networks can significantly enhance the value of EO-derived water quality parameters through improved calibration and validations. Key data sources in the future will be Sentinel-2 for site-specific assessments and Sentinel-3 for large- area surveillance and monitoring operations. 5.2 Climate Change 5.2.1 Overview Climate change can be defined as a change in the statistical properties of the climate system when considered over long periods of time, regardless of cause. In the environmental policy context, this normally means climate change caused by human activity, as opposed to changes in climate that may have resulted as part of Earth’s natural processes. While the terms climate change and global warming are often used synonymously, scientists use global warming to refer to surface temperature increases and climate change to refer to global warming and everything else affected by increasing greenhouse gas levels. The primary effects of ongoing changes in the climate of the Arctic include loss of sea ice, and melting of permafrost and the Greenland ice sheet. While there is no consensus on why the Arctic ice is melting so rapidly, it is generally agreed that the underlying cause is global warming brought about by greenhouse-gas emissions and that the Arctic air is warming twice as fast as the atmosphere as a whole (The Economist, 2011). There are a number of other climate change impacts as well, including: the melting of permafrost and changes in surface vegetation in the Arctic, and the impact on global climate of the changes taking place in the Arctic. As discussed elsewhere is this report, the impacts of climate change on the Arctic region and its people are widespread, including: creating the potential for significantly increased maritime transportation; opening up the region to increased industrial and commercial activity; endangering flora and fauna species; and creating new challenges and opportunities for Arctic residents. 5.2.2 Policy Not surprisingly, the environmental topic that is of most concern to Arctic nations, and that is given priority in their policies for the region, is climate change and its impact on the ecosystem and people of the north. yy The Kingdom of Denmark Strategy for the Arctic 2011–2020 states that “The Kingdomwill pursue vigorous and ambitious knowledge building on climate change in the Arctic and its consequences in order to foster global and local adaptation to far-reaching change.” (Governments of Denmark,

Greenland and Faroe Islands, 2011). Denmark plans to strengthen efforts to quantify global and regional impacts of climate change in the Arctic, including knowledge about how Arctic ecosystems, sea ice and ice sheets are responding. yy Norway’s New Building Blocks in the North report identifies as strategic priorities: the development of greater knowledge about climate change and the environment in the High North by allocating more funds for arctic research, strengthening educational institutions and establishing a Centre for Ice, Climate & Ecosystems; and positioning Norway as a base for international research activities through strategic investments (e.g., by developing a centre for climate and environmental research in Tromsö and establishing an Arctic earth observing system in Svalbard). yy One of the objectives of Finland’s Strategy for the Arctic Region is to give support for research in the Arctic and the development of regional climate models as the basis for decision making (Heininen, 2011). yy Sweden’s Strategy for the Arctic Region identifies climate and the environment as a top priority, with substantial coverage being given to biodiversity. It discusses planned actions on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and becoming a leading nation in research on climate and the environment, as well as the impacts of climate change on humans (Heininen, 2011). yy The Canadian Arctic Foreign Policy identifies contributing to and supporting international efforts to address climate change in the Arctic as a policy objective. yy The US National Security Presidential Directive/NSPD – 66 concerning an Arctic Region Policy notes that there is a high level of uncertainty concerning the impacts of climate change and that decisions must be based on sound scientific and socioeconomic information, environmental research, monitoring, and vulnerability assessments. The Policy supports collaborative research that advances fundamental understanding of the Arctic region in general and potential arctic change in particular, including portions expected to be ice-covered as well as seasonally ice-free regions. The document states that the US will “continue to play a leadership role in research throughout the Arctic region”. yy As a global leader in environmental issues, Germany promotes environmental protection in the Arctic, including the mitigation of climate change on the Arctic environment, flora and fauna. yy France is carrying out major research initiatives designed to understand climate change in the Arctic, as well as adapting to the consequences of climate change, particularly with respect to economic activities. The Arctic is considered a major element in the climate system with direct consequences for France. yy The Iceland in the High North report notes that climate change has vast implications for its Arctic region.

yy India is not an Arctic nation, but investment in international

27 5. ENVIRONMENT