As part of its ongoing commitment to climate action, Dartmouth College recently partnered with the University of the Arctic and the Finnish Consulate to host an event focused on the Arctic’s climate tipping points during Climate Week NYC. This international conference brought together leaders from government, civil society, business, and the climate sector to explore urgent climate challenges, particularly the rapid changes occurring in the Arctic.
Fostering Global Dialogue on Arctic Challenges
The event, titled Climate Tipping Points and the Arctic, was held at the Cornell Club in Manhattan on Monday, with Barbara Will, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Dartmouth, delivering the opening remarks. She emphasized the significant political, social, economic, and environmental challenges faced by Arctic communities, noting the accelerated pace of climate change in the region.
“We are really announcing to the world how much Dartmouth cares about Arctic studies and how important that is to our history and to our background,” Will stated. She underscored the critical need for policymakers, Indigenous communities, and other stakeholders to act with urgency in addressing global climate issues.
The event was attended by 70 distinguished guests, including leaders from NATO, U.N. delegates, and representatives from Finnish cities such as Helsinki and Turku. Indigenous Arctic groups and Dartmouth alumni from various sectors, including NGOs and industry, also participated.
Key Discussions and Insights
The day featured two dynamic panel discussions. The first, focusing on climate policy, was led by Melody Brown Burkins, Guarini ’95, ’98, Director of the Institute of Arctic Studies. The second panel, addressing technology and finance in the Arctic context, was led by Geoffrey Parker, Interim Faculty Director of the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society.
Burkins highlighted the importance of engaging Arctic peoples in strategic climate collaborations. “Each of these dialogues brings us closer to a more secure, more resilient, more equitable future for the Arctic and our planet,” she said. Parker, who also serves as a professor of engineering innovation, discussed the financial challenges of decarbonization, emphasizing the need for significant capital investment to transition from fossil fuels.
Indigenous Perspectives and Solutions
A key moment in the event came with the keynote speech by Aaja Chemnitz, a member of the Danish Parliament and chair of the Arctic Parliamentarians. Chemnitz advocates for the rights of Greenland’s Indigenous peoples, calling for their authority in economic partnerships that balance traditional lifestyles with the demands of resource development. Will praised her ability to bridge the gap between conflicting interests in the region.
Alumni perspectives were also featured, with Debbie Atuk, Tuck ’04, and Bridget Fawcett ’89 providing insights on climate change from an Indigenous standpoint. Atuk, an Inupiaq from Alaska, spoke about the unique perspectives of Indigenous people in the U.S. Arctic.
Dartmouth’s Commitment to Arctic Studies and Climate Action
This event is part of Dartmouth’s broader commitment to climate action through the Dartmouth Climate Collaborative, which connects the College’s existing efforts on sustainability with global climate dialogues. Will emphasized the importance of these discussions in furthering Dartmouth’s leadership in Arctic studies.
The College’s deep ties to the Arctic were highlighted by the presence of staff, students, and alumni, including Rosalie Kerr ’97 and Arctic Innovation Scholars Manu Gupta ’27 and Ella Moore ’27. Dartmouth was a founding member of the University of the Arctic in 2001, a global network focused on higher education and research in polar regions.
Moving Forward Together
Dartmouth’s participation in Climate Week NYC reaffirms the College’s commitment to tackling climate change on a global scale. Through collaborative efforts with Arctic institutions, Indigenous leaders, and international experts, Dartmouth is playing a pivotal role in driving forward solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
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