Arctic climate interventions: an indigenous youth perspective
Organized by: John Moore, Ilona Mettiäinen and Albert van Wijngaarden
Session description: To counter the already dire effects of climate change in the Arctic, and help move humanity back from some of the planetary tipping points, we may choose to consider methods that would actively modify elements of the climate system. Such techniques, known as climate intervention or geoengineering, are highly controversial and often fuel polarized debates, particularly within the Arctic context. Typically, discussions on climate interventions are by influential academic figures, who express their views on whether or not such measures should be considered. However, this approach risks perpetuating historical colonial patterns and neglects the perspectives of those whose interests are most affected: the local and indigenous populations, particularly young people. In this session, young and indigenous representatives whose voices have until now scarcely been heard will share their perspective on the potential role of climate intervention in the Arctic. Stepping away from the science and engineering questions, this session will thereby focus on issues of justice, ethics, acceptability, consent, and decolonization of climate action and discuss if and how research into these topics might be properly conducted.
Contact person: Albert van Wijngaarden (albertvanw@gmail.com)
Speakers:
- Lotte Hagelin
- Åsa Larsson Blind
- Iluuna Sørensen
- Anni-Sofia Niittyvuopio