50×30 Day 1 COP26 Cryosphere
Nov. 3 (Wednesday): 50×30 for Cryosphere I
10:00 Arctic Marine Governance
Governance of the Arctic marine ecosystem is key to the continued survival of thriving of Arctic indigenous communities. This side event will examine needed future steps to preserve these communities and their historic rights in the region. Organized by the Inuit Circumpolar Council.
11:30 Wildfires and Black Carbon
Set fires in the agricultural sector often spread to become wildfires in a warmer and drier climate, with demonstrated impacts on snow and ice melt in both nearby cryosphere (Andes and Himalayas), and often spreading great distances (Arctic). Fire-free agricultural methods however can decrease this risk, while enabling greater drawdown of carbon into formerly-burned soils and aiding adaptation. Organized by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, AMAP and ICCI
13:00 Arctic Climate and Health Implications of Short-lived Climate Forcers
Short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs) impact both the climate and air quality, including significant implications for human health. Immediate reductions in emissions of SLCFs can provide near-term climate benefits while also promoting cleaner air. AMAP and ACAP will present their most recent work as well as discuss policy implications. Organized by the Arctic Council Working Groups the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) and Arctic Contaminants Action Program (ACAP)
14:30 Peatlands Restoration: Possibility for Negative Emissions
Restoration of near-Arctic peatlands has unique potential for both ecosystem services and carbon drawdown, or negative emissions. Scientific and government experts discuss the potential for these programs, and discuss some current efforts and examples. Organized by Bolin Centre/Stockholm University and the Peatlands Pavilion
16:00 Future A or B? Images and maps you can’t unsee.
Climate Central will demonstrate its free, newly enhanced mapping tools and newly released visual library with 1000+ science-based, photorealistic images and videos of nearly 200 coastal locations worldwide. These images and maps vividly illustrate the long-term sea level rise outcomes of climate actions taken – or not taken – in the coming decades. The tools are based on Climate Central’s state-of-the-art elevation data and incorporate sea level projections from the most recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR6). The event will feature maps and images for temperatures ranging from 1.5 to 4 degrees Celsius. The presentation will also cover cryosphere-related visuals from Climate Matters, Climate Central’s program that each week provides data-rich graphics and analyses for meteorologists and journalists. These materials, which often contain locality-specific information, are widely used by other climate communicators in addition to the media. Organized by Climate Central.
18:00 The Arctic – the fastest-warming region on Earth – new science findings from AMAP
New observations show that the Arctic is now warming three times faster than the planet. Climate change impacts on Arctic communities, ecosystems, and species, especially when associated with extreme events, are considerable and accelerating. Attendees will learn about the observational basis of Arctic climate change and calls to action to reduce the worst consequences of climate change in the Arctic and beyond. Organized by the Arctic Council Working Group the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP)
19:30 Cryosphere Cèlidh: Inspiring Action through Culture and Art
A roundtable discussion at COP26 with renowned artists and cultural leaders on the importance of re-humanizing the climate narrative and the role of artists and their art in changing the mindset and catalyzing action on the scale needed to address the relationship between humanity and the natural environment. The event will feature excerpts of ARCTICA – A Symphonic Journey by Lera Auerbach, commissioned by the National Geographic Society, Pristine Seas, the National Symphony Orchestra and the Oslo Philharmonic. Organized by the new Arctica Foundation.
- Lera Auerbach – Artist, Musician and Composer; the creator of ARCTICA – A Symphonic Journey
- Enric Sala – Explorer, the National Geographic Society; Founder and Director of Pristine Seas; Author: The Nature of Nature
- Miranda Massie – Director of The Climate Museum
- Cristina Vollmer Burelli- Founder, SOS Orinoco; Founding Co-Chair, The Global Leaders Program; Founding Executive Director, V5 Initiative
- Stuart Eizenstat – Former U.S. Undersecretary of State; former U.S. Ambassador to the EU; Chief Negotiator of the Kyoto Protocol; Head of International Practice at Covington & Burling
- Moderator – Katya Gorbatiouk – Primary Capital Markets, London Stock Exchange; Advisory Council, the Global Leaders Program; Trustee, London Music Fund
- Closing Remarks: Anne Pence – Former U.S. G7/G8 Coordinator and Climate Negotiator; Former Senior Advisor, Covington & Burling