Since 2019, Arctic Basecamp has been facilitating youth participation at global events to raise awareness of the global risks from Arctic change and to highlight the need for scaleable solutions to climate change.
We 'speak science to power' in order to encourage bold climate action. We do this to encourage a movement for change, because we know that what happens in the Arctic doesn't stay in the Arctic.
We want to support youth at the forefront of this movement.
Our story
During our time in Davos, Arctic scientists, youth activists, global business leaders, policymakers, innovators and disruptors come together for a series of events, science briefings, debates and discussions on the Arctic. We want our presence to kickstart innovative policy decisions and to find real-world global situations to the climate crisis.
Davos 2019
In 2019, youth climate activist Greta Thunberg attended Davos for the first time. She camped overnight with Arctic Basecamp scientists, in temperatures of -18C, before joining in with the day’s events. She gave a forthright speech, which happened at Arctic Basecamp, where she delivered her message to the world leaders and delegates. Greta said:
“If we don’t start to care about the climate issue, and take action, then nothing else they have to discuss here will matter.”
Singer and songwriter Ellie Goulding met with Arctic Basecamp founder Gail Whiteman and was given a scientific briefing from our scientists. Ellie said:
“I wanted to come here to show respect to the incredible scientific team who camp out in sub-zero conditions in order to communicate cutting edge climate science on behalf of humanity.”
Davos 2020
In 2020, for the first time, Arctic Basecamp brought an international youth climate delegation to Davos so their voices could be heard alongside our scientists, world leaders and other high-profile individuals.
Arctic Basecamp Youth Delegates:
Sascha Blidorf, Greenland
Eva Jones, USA
Vanessa Nakate, Uganda
Kaime Silvestre, Brazil
Wenying Zhu, China
Our events culminated in the #FridaysForFuture school strike march where our youth delegates attended the preceding press conference, with Arctic Basecamp youth delegate Vanessa Nakate on the panel alongside Isabelle Axelsson, Luisa Neubauer, Greta Thunberg, and Loukina Tille.
Pictured above: Arctic Basecamp Delegates with former Executive Secretary of UNFCCC Christiana Figueres (bottom left picture), with former Icelandic President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson (bottom right picture), and with model/activist Lily Cole (middle right picture).
Davos 2021
In 2021, Arctic Basecamp hosted an engaging schedule of online conversations to “Make Earth Cool Again”, hosted live by Rainn Wilson and Parisa Fitz Henley.
Arctic Basecamp Youth Delegates Sascha Bildorf from Greenland, Eva Jones from the USA, Kaime Silvestre from Brazil, and Wenying Zhu from China discussed the impact of climate change on their respective homes. Kaime said:
We don't need any more speeches from our global leaders, we need action. The time is running out.
Cassidy Miligruak Kramer shared her experience of living in the Arctic as part of the Inupiaq community. She discussed visible changes from climate change such as animal migration, erosion leading to the relocation of villages, and permafrost which "is scary because you don't know what it releases when it melts". Cassidy said:
Our connection with the land and nature is what I'm worried about for our community. Nature keeps us humble - it helps us realise that we are not in control.
Media Coverage
Read here Rolling Stone's Roundtable with Arctic Basecamp Youth Delegates.
As well as extensive online coverage CNBC also spent time in camp with Rainn Wilson and Arctic Basecamp Youth Delegates. Watch their report below (Arctic Basecamp features from 4.55 to end).
Further media coverage is available here.