The second session in this series will explore the impact of renewable energy projects on biodiversity in the Arctic.
Global warming due to climate change is heavily influencing biodiversity in the Arctic, as ecosystems and wildlife are negatively impacted. This webinar will explore which role renewable energy plays in protecting biodiversity in the Arctic.
Aaron Cooke - Architect/Researcher/Strategic Partnerships Lead at NREL's Alaska Campus
Aaron Cooke: Aaron Cooke is a licensed architect and project manager at the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)'s Alaska Campus in Fairbanks. He manages the Sustainable Northern Communities Program, which designs and deploys emerging building technologies and approaches in the Arctic and Subarctic. Cooke's work primarily focuses on durable, affordable, healthy, and sustainable building design in extreme climates and remote locations. He works with architects, builders, technicians, local leaders, and Tribes to design, build, and monitor innovative buildings across the circumpolar north.
Tonje Margrete Winsnes Johansen: Tonje works as an adviser for the Saami Council's Arctic and Environmental Unit. Johansen comes from a small coastal-Sámi village in the northern parts of Sápmi on the Norwegian side and is currently residing in Guovdageaidnu. She has a political science background from NTNU. Within the Saami Council Johansen focuses most of her work on sustainable development and socio-economic issues in Sápmi.
Eli Enns: Eli Enns is an internationally recognized expert in Indigenous-led conservation. From Tla-o-qui-aht Nation on his father’s side, and of Dutch Mennonite heritage on his mother’s side, Eli promotes holistic solutions for community and ecosystem health and well-being. With a background in political science, Eli is a ‘Nation-builder’ with values and approaches rooted in Indigenous economic theory and practice. In 2017, a decade after co-founding the Ha-uukmin Tribal Park in his own territory, Eli co-chaired the Indigenous Circle of Experts (ICE) for the Pathway to Canada Target 1, which culminated with the groundbreaking 2018 report, We Rise Together: Achieving Pathway to Canada Target 1 through the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) in the spirit and practice of reconciliation. IPCAs are now a central component of Canada’s conservation efforts. Eli supports Indigenous Nations across Canada to advance their conservation efforts via his roles with the IISAAK OLAM Foundation and the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership. Nuu-chah-nulth values and concepts that guide Eli’s life and work:
Kári Fannar Lárusson: Kári is Program Manager at CAFF.
Snorri Sigurdsson: Snorri Sigurdsson is Head of Division of Nature Protection at Iceland Institute of Natural History. His work has mostly focused on nature conservation, biodiversity, green space planning and environmental education. He is also Iceland’s representative in CAFF (The Arctic Council Working Group, Conservation of Arctic Flora, and Fauna).
