Intrinsic Value of Arctic Cooperation for Future Generations

During last 30 years Arctic scientific cooperation has created both tangible and intangible assets. Tangibles are the institutes and intergovernmental fora like Arctic Council. Intangibles are the knowledge networks, relationships, and pool of shared expertise of Arctic researchers from around the globe, built on principles of trust and respect for scientific rigor. The Arctic cooperation via the Arctic Council, is on pause. The following questions need to be addressed: Why do we have Arctic cooperation in the first place? What is at stake? How do we continue?

As the international scientific community, we are the holders of the intrinsic value of Arctic cooperation, and we need to act and come up with solutions to be accountable to future generations and preserve our planet and all life.