Dialogue and Commission on Arctic Climate Change
The Arctic is a constant reminder of nature’s wild beauty – the world is amazed that people live there and call it home. Our vision of the Arctic, though, is changing.
Recognizing that the circumpolar Arctic region is experiencing significant ecological change due to global climate change, the Aspen Institute convened a civil society Dialogue and Commission to consider the implications of this impending transformation for the region’s inhabitants and resources. The Aspen Institute is now pleased to release the final report and recommendations of the Commission, entitled “The Shared Future: A Report of the Aspen Institute Commission on Arctic Climate Change”.
This report features a very special foreword by President Jimmy Carter and presents the Commission’s recommendations, foremost of which is that governance in the Arctic marine environment should be sustained and strengthened by a new conservation and sustainable development plan based on using an ecosystem-based management approach.
The Commission believes marine spatial planning provides a workable method to begin implementation of ecosystem-based management. Governance of the Arctic can and should be strengthened through an inclusive and cooperative international approach that allows greater participation in information gathering and sharing, and decision-making, leading to better information policy choices and outcomes.
This report is issued under the auspices of the Aspen Institute and the members of the Aspen Institute Commission on Arctic Climate Change, with generous support from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
