In late January, Nelson Institute director Frances Westley, land resources graduate student Andrew Stuhl, and UW System regent Tom Loftus attended the Arctic Frontiers Conference in Tromso, Norway. The conference brought together scientists, politicians, conservationists, and indigenous peoples concerned with the changing Arctic landscape. Highlighting both the obstacles and opportunities that global warming presents to the circumpolar region, the gathering was an example of the complex task of understanding and managing coupled human and natural systems.
The visit to Tromso was also an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the Nelson Institute and the Arctic research and governmental communities. Troms County invited the the Nelson Institute to help guide the development and design of an Arctic think tank. The think tank will study the Arctic’s economic, ecological, political, and social environments in order to propose effective governance strategies. While the think tank will serve Norwegian homeland interests, it will also position itself as an international leader in research and outreach. Tromso, a city that sits on the border between Norway and the rest of the circumpolar region, will be the home for the think-tank.
For more details about politics, culture, and environment of the Arctic, as well as materials describing the think tank’s mission and next steps, please consult the Tromso Report. For questions and comments on this document, contact Andrew Stuhl at stuhl@wisc.edu.