Solving the big challenge together with locals
Climate change and human activities have multifaceted and complex effects on land and ocean ecosystems in the Arctic. The melting of glaciers and permafrost, along with increasing human activities, releases pollutants, such as plastics, heavy metals and harmful chemicals, threatening marine ecosystems and human health in the region.
For the EU to achieve its Zero Pollution Ambition, we need a deeper understanding of the complex interplay of pollution and climate change and their impacts on Arctic communities.
In the ICEBERG project, we integrate natural and social sciences with Indigenous and local knowledge. We employ an ethical, multi-actor and gender-sensitive approach to assess the impacts, risks and vulnerabilities of local communities. We also use the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnectedness and interdependence of the health of humans, animals, plants and entire ecosystems.
Our main goals and how to achieve them
Our aim is to mitigate the impacts of pollutants in the Arctic. Over the next three years, we will investigate the sources, types and distribution of pollutants, such as plastics, ship emissions, wastewater and heavy metals by using simulations, remote sensing and observations. On a practical level the project develops, for example, automatic marine litter detection tools using drones, AI and citizen science.
We will evaluate the toxicological impact of microplastics, nanoplastics and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on human digestive health. We will also assess the impact of pollution emissions on the marine food web.
We will work together with the communities and stakeholders to co-develop pollution monitoring, mitigation and adaptation strategies, as well as policy recommendations for multilevel pollution-control governance.
