ACIA International Scientific Symposium on Climate Change in the Arctic

Opening address

Sigríður Anna Þórðardóttir, Minister for the Environment, Iceland

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to warmly welcome you all to Iceland, to this International Scientific Symposium on Climate Change in the Arctic.

The Arctic Climate Impact Assessment - known by many by its acronym, ACIA - is a process that was launched at the meeting of Ministers from the eight countries of the Arctic Council in Barrow, Alaska, in the year 2000. It is a major project of the Arctic Council and the International Arctic Science Committee. About 300 scientists have participated in ACIA, which gives an indication of the depth and scope of the project.

The Arctic Council is a forum for its Member States and six organizations of Arctic indigenous peoples to engage in cooperative activities in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development. Scientific assessment is a major part of the work of the Arctic Council. Without good knowledge about changes in the natural and human environment of the Arctic, it is difficult to respond to such changes in a meaningful way. Major reports on pollution in the Arctic and Arctic biodiversity have been published by the Council. ACIA is a major addition to this body of work, and later this month we will also see the release of the Arctic Human Development Report, which aims to give an assessment of developments in social, economic and political systems in the Arctic, written by experts in social science. These assessments will become a valuable information base for policy makers in the Arctic countries.

Climate change has been the subject of extensive scientific and political debate, especially over the last two decades or so. Few doubt that humans have an effect on climate in various ways, with emissions of greenhouse gases, land use and other activities. The extent of this effect, and the likely magnitude of climate change is however still subject to great uncertainty. The Earth's climate is a complex system, which is influenced by many factors. It is important for us who live in the Arctic region to get a thorough assessment of the changes underway and ahead, but the importance of ACIA goes beyond the Arctic. The Assessment will cast light on global processes and it will advance our understanding on climate change in general. The results outlined here at this Symposium over the next few days will be received with great interest way beyond the Arctic.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The weather has always been a favourite subject of discussion among Icelanders, perhaps more so than in many other places. It often changes suddenly and not always predictably. In the past, a sudden and fierce storm could claim the lives of dozens and even hundreds of seamen in their small open boats. Taking a longer perspective, climate has greatly influenced Icelandic history. The land was settled in a period of relatively mild climate, but a cooling in later centuries contributed to hardships and decline in prosperity and population. The Norse colony in Greenland, settled from Iceland, died out completely, with climate probably a major factor.

Our today's prosperous and technologically advanced society is better prepared for the vagaries of weather and fluctuations in climate. Nevertheless, the Icelandic economy is very dependent on natural resources such as fisheries and hydro power, which in turn are strongly influenced by climate.

I look very much forward to hear about the scientific findings of the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment today and throughout this week. I hope you find the many presentations stimulating, and the Icelandic November weather invigourating.

I want to express the gratitude of the Government of Iceland for the valuable work of the scientists on the Assessment. I wish the Symposium all the best in your work.

Thank you,