The Arctic Observing Summit as a mechanism to develop and link observing capacity from the local to the global scale

Abstract:

Rapid Arctic change impacts a range of communities and institutions, including Arctic Indigenous peoples, regional governments, pan-Arctic management bodies, and global society. Sustained observations of Arctic change inform response action, support prediction and decision-making, and provide insights into the evolution of Arctic systems in a global context. At present, we lack an integrated Arctic observing system that links the existing patchwork of observing projects, networks and programs across disciplines and scales. Such an integrated effort can provide a more comprehensive perspective on transformational Arctic change and serve an array of societal benefit areas identified in recent assessments. The Arctic Observing Summit (AOS) is a high-level, biennial summit to provide community-driven, science-based guidance for the design, implementation, coordination and long-term operation of such an international network of Arctic observing systems. The AOS provides a platform to address urgent observing needs across all of the Arctic system. It fosters international communication and coordination of long-term observing. Drawing on the 2020 AOS, we illustrate how a combination of activities and partnerships helped bridge observational scales and needs from the local to the global. As an activity under the Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) initiative, AOS 2020 brought together Arctic observing program scientists, Indigenous peoples’ organizations and community members, agency personnel, and representatives of global and regional observing initiatives to identify synergies between large-scale efforts and local information needs. SAON’s Roadmap for Arctic Observing and Data Systems helps identify prioritized Shared Arctic Variables important to multiple information user groups and applications. Local needs are represented by an Indigenous Food Security Working Group charting out a path to expand Arctic Observing efforts to reflect holistic Indigenous worldviews through support and linking of local and regional activities. A Data Working Group focuses on the goal of a broadly networked, collaborative, interoperable Arctic digital system based on a co-production model and ethical data principles.