Climate Change in Action: Arctic Field Studies

About this course

This course is part of the Arctic Experiential Studies: Greenland

Greenland is home to the second largest ice sheet on earth—and it’s melting faster than anywhere else. Arctic ecosystems are especially sensitive to warming, and we already see major changes in how these systems work, making Greenland an important place to study the effects of climate change.  

In this course, you will explore the science behind anthropogenic climate change and how it is affecting the Arctic environment. We will look at how rising temperatures impact different parts of the ecosystem, including marine food webs, land-based relationships between plants and pollinators, ice algae, and freshwater systems.  

You will also learn about conservation efforts in the Arctic and how local communities, especially indigenous peoples, are helping monitor and protect wildlife through traditional knowledge and modern science. 

Faculty

Astrid M. A. Schmidt

Ph.D in Climate change; Ecosystems of the Arctic from University of Copenhagen (Niels Bohr Institute/Natural History Museum of Denmark). M.Sc in population genetics and conservation of African elephants. Current research interests are within citizen science on biodiversity and climate change. Work experience has involved science outreach, science education focusing on co-creation and community engagement e.g. of urban development with children and locals. With DIS since 2015.