Background

In June 2011, seventeen young professionals from twelve different countries visited Svalbard in the Norwegian Arctic, as a part of an expedition organised by the British Council and United Nations Environmental Programme GRID - Arendal and funded by Youth in Action. During their 8-day Arctic Climate Training on board a ship sailing around Svalbard, they experienced first-hand the rapid changes affecting the Arctic.

Have a look at the Arctic Climate Training  for Youth 2011 Video by British Council & UNEP/GRID - Arendal

Introducing

Arctic Reflections – new book illustrating a moment of inspiration, a lifetime of action created by young people across Europe.

January 2013

On Monday 28th January, the Norwegian Ambassador, Niels Engelschiøn gave the opening speech at the European launch of a new book Arctic Reflections; a Moment of Inspiration, a Lifetime of Action. Standing under a Bowhead Whales skeleton at the Museum of Natural Sciences in Brussels, his Excellency said, ”This is a beautiful event. The Norwegian embassy is delighted to support such a project which engages youth in taking action towards the Arctic. Thank you Christy and Luka.”

Christy Hehir (UK) and Luka Tomac (Croatia) joined forces to create a moving and insightful book capturing the experience of their Arctic journey. Through personal testimonies collected by Christy as part of her PhD research into how travel can act as a stimulus to influence lasting environmental behaviour, and photographs taken by Luka Tomac of the sights witnessed, this book goes beyond simple impressions and acts as a poignant reminder that our planet is at great environmental risk. Importantly, it also offers positive examples of young people taking action through their work with electric vehicles, satellite earth observations, youth engagement, the use of law in addressing climate change ….. and hopes to inspire the readers to join participants’ projects or indeed start their own. 

Luka comments, “This publication introduces the challenging and unexplored impacts of the Arctic on the visitor and the impacts of humanity on the Arctic. With my photos I tried to document the Arctic that could disappear in only a few years from now, at least in the form of which we know it today.” During her speech Christy summarised her Arctic Action Plan into three words: knowledge, engagement and responsibility and questioned the celebration of the billionth international passenger in 2012 verses a growing conscience that calls for the reduction in our everyday carbon emissions.

She concluded, ” it is urgent that we agree on an appropriate course of action together.” 

Now launched, the book will be distributed to European Members of Parliament and key influences, plus there are plans for photography exhibitions in Zagreb, London and Oslo.

For more information Visit the Arctic Climate Blog & the Photo Gallery

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Wild Navigator would like to thank Christy Hehir for sending us all information on the launch of her book Arctic Reflections and we wish her all the success on her PhD research. For a preview of this book, please visit. To order your copy of Arctic Reflections or for more information please email christyhehir@googlemail.com or tweet her @christyhehir

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