Network of Arctic researchers in Ireland
The Marine Institute in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has launched a Network of Arctic Researchers in Ireland (NARI).
The network aims to create, maintain and develop an ‘informal all-island network’ of Arctic researchers to facilitate collaboration of scientific activities and to provide independent scientific advice to the public and policy-makers.
NARI will provide independent scientific advice to the public and to policy-makers
With significant demand for enhanced knowledge and services to observe the changes in the world’s oceans, NARI also aims to ‘promote Irish-based Arctic research activities, seek international polar cooperation and support the next generation of Arctic scientists.
IPCC report
According to the ‘Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate‘ (IPCC), the extent of Arctic sea ice is declining and thinning. Glaciers and ice sheets in polar and mountain regions are also losing mass, contributing to an increasing rate of sea-level rise, together with expansion of warmer oceans.
It also claims that sea-level rise will increase the frequency of extreme sea level events and that warming oceans are disrupting marine ecosystems
Emerging pressures
NARI president, Dr Audrey Morley (NUI Galway), said coordinating research efforts on a regional, national and international scale was becoming “increasing urgent” to address emerging environmental and societal pressures on the Arctic region.
” NARI will support a greater scientific understanding of the Arctic region and its role in the Earth system.”
Later this year, Dr Morley will be leading a survey on the Marine Institute’s marine research vessel, RV Celtic Explorer, to improve ‘understanding of marine essential climate variables’ in the Nordic Seas.
At the launch were Liam Lacey, Marine Institute, Dr Audrey Morley, NUI Galway, President of NARI, Dakota Holmes, NUI Galway, and Ciara Delaney, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The Marine Institute will provide ship-time funding and support Dr Morley’s Post-Doctoral Fellowship ‘Decoding Arctic Climate Change: From Archive to Insight’.
Dr Paul Connolly, CEO of the Marine Institute said as an Arctic neighbour, Ireland was exposed to the effects of a warming ocean, such as sea-level rises, increasing storm intensity and changing marine ecosystems.
“Scientists based in Ireland can make a real and meaningful contribution to Arctic research and help to develop and implement adaptation responses from local to global scales.
“The Marine Institute is delighted to be supporting a network which will foster impactful research into the causes, manifestations and impact of Arctic change.”
Background
Since 2018, the Embassy of Ireland in Oslo and the Marine Institute have sponsored early career researchers to attend the Arctic Frontiers Emerging Leaders. This is an annual programme held in Tromsø, Noway, which brings together around 30 young scientists and professionals from around the globe with interests in Arctic security, economy and its environment.
Hosting the meeting of Irish-based researchers, Ciara Delaney, Regional Director at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said that given the impact of climate change and the increasing relevance of strategic developments in the Arctic, the region was “of growing importance to Ireland”.
The all-island network brings together multidisciplinary scientists from NUI Galway, UL, NMCI, CIT, QUB, NUI Maynooth, UCD, TCD, UCC and DIAS.
