Arctic Reflections

RESEARCH INSIGHT 🎓 Does thickened ice melt the same as natural ice? Last winter, we went to Svalbard to find answers. Here are our results: One insight from the Svalbard field tests: thickened ice melts at a similar rate as natural ice in summer. The ice we thickened was 24 cm thicker at the start, and both types of ice lost about 4 cm per day during the peak melting phase. This is positive, since the ice was thickened from the top with salty water, and we were afraid that this would accelerate the melting. In principle, having a same melting rate would mean that thickening ice could extend the lifespan of reflective ice, providing a critical buffer against the darker ocean surface that absorbs heat and accelerates warming. However, in the end, the thickened ice did not last much longer than the natural ice. Towards the end, factors other than incoming sunlight took over in the melting, such as ice break-up and the influx of warmer water from the fjord. This was not solely due to solar radiation, but also because of factors such as ice break-up and the influx of warmer waters, which would be less prominent on a larger area. Testing earlier in the season and on a somewhat larger surface area could help us provide a clearer picture of the lifecycle throughout winter, and see if the ice would last longer in this way. Key insight: Thickened ice melts at a similar rate as normal ice, but more research is needed if this translates into the thicker ice lasting longer in summer. As always, more research is needed to further confirm these results. This highlights the importance of understanding not just how ice grows, but also how it interacts with its environment throughout its lifecycle, especially during melting. The next steps? Testing on a somewhat larger area and earlier in the season to validate these findings. ❄️ #Sustainability #SaveTheArctic #ArcticReflections #ClimateAction #EcoEducation We’re fighting global warming at -30°C, preserving Arctic sea ice by thickening it in winter

🌍 Why the Arctic Matters More Than Ever 🌍 As COP29 Azerbaijan concludes, the Arctic has taken center stage in global discussions. The message is clear: the Arctic’s fate is tied to the planet’s future, and we need to take action now. ❄️ This year’s conference emphasized the critical role of Arctic ecosystems in regulating global temperatures, storing carbon, and supporting biodiversity. Yet, the region is warming four times faster than the global average, threatening to unleash devastating feedback loops. Key outcomes for the Arctic from COP29: ➡️ Recognition of the urgent need for financial investment in Arctic resilience, including adaptation and ecosystem monitoring. ➡️ A push for Indigenous-led initiatives to protect biodiversity and cultural practices threatened by ice loss. ➡️ Global calls to limit warming to 1.5°C to avoid catastrophic tipping points, including the loss of permafrost and summer sea ice. Unfortunately, there was no agreement on the phasing out of fossil fuels. There needs to be concrete action to decarbonize. At Arctic Reflections, Lead Institution for the UN Ocean Decade Arctic Sea Ice Restoration, we are committed to extending the timeline for Arctic sea ice through innovation, collaboration, and action. COP29 has reinforced the necessity of these efforts—not just for the Arctic, but for the entire planet. Let’s keep this momentum alive. Together, we can turn the tide. 💙🌎 #ArcticReflections #COP29 #ClimateAction #Sustainability #ProtectTheArctic #InnovationForChange We’re fighting global warming at -30°C, preserving Arctic sea ice by thickening it in winter

🎥 ALMOST 900K VIEWS! 5 months ago, The Wall Street Journal created a feature video about us, highlighting the importance and the way we work. Now, this video has almost 900K views! The crew joined us on our first field test in Svalbard, and our second trip to the Arctic is coming up. The clip shows our co-founder, Fonger Ypma, explaining the Dutch tradition and inspiration behind our solution. Want to watch the full video? You can find the link in the comments below. #ArcticReflections #WSJ #Sustainability #ClimateAction #TheFutureOfEverything ————— We’re fighting global warming at -30°C, restoring Arctic ice by thickening it in winter

🌍 Reflections from PlanetAction at TEDxBoston 🌍 Last week, Arctic Reflections had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Planet Action Summit at MIT Sloan School of Management, hosted by TEDxBoston. The event brought together inspiring speakers addressing urgent topics such as climate change and nature restoration, one of these speakers was our very own Fonger Ypma! We were honored to share our ambitious vision to preserve Arctic sea ice and to see the Arctic and Antarctic highlighted in so many impactful talks. It was a highlight to represent the Arctic on such a big stage. ❄️ #ArcticReflections #ClimateAction #ProtectTheArctic #PlanetAction #TEDxBoston #Sustainability ———————————— We’re fighting global warming at -30°C, restoring Arctic ice by thickening it in winter

💡 DID YOU KNOW? There is more life in the Arctic than you might have expected! #ClimateFacts #EcoEducation #ArcticReflections ————— We’re fighting global warming at -30°C, restoring Arctic ice by thickening it in winter

A big thank you to WWF for creating this awareness! They show an important trend: that of increasing temperatures in our marine ecosystems. It has been established that this even extends to our Arctic regions, where we are increasing the amount of ice to secure a higher Albedo effect. More ice to keep it cool, it’s as simple as that. Efforts in the greater Arctic region can benefit these marine trends worldwide. #WWF #ArcticReflections #Sustainability #ClimateAction ————— We’re fighting global warming at -30°C, restoring Arctic ice by thickening it in winter, helping to stabilize global temperatures and reduce feedback loops.

🥶 The world's LARGEST freezer? Did you know that the Arctic acts like Earth’s cooling system? Here’s how losing sea ice is speeding up global warming—and what we’re doing to address it. Arctic sea ice is more than a frozen landscape; it plays a crucial role in reflecting sunlight through its natural white surface, helping to keep our planet cool, a phenomenon known as the albedo effect. As the ice surface continues to decline, this solar energy is instead absorbed by the dark ocean, further accelerating the warming process. This leads to more extreme weather and shifts in global climate patterns that affect us all—no matter where we live. #ClimateScience #ArcticReflections #Albedo ————— We’re fighting global warming at -30°C, restoring Arctic ice by thickening it in winter, helping to stabilize global temperatures and reduce feedback loops.

How do we plan to restore Arctic ice? Watch our process in action! This simple but powerful technique could help save the Arctic. Our process may seem straightforward, but implementing these steps in the challenging Arctic environment is far from simple. #ClimateSolutions #ArcticReflections #Sustainability #SaveTheArctic ————— We’re fighting global warming at -30°C, restoring Arctic ice by thickening it in winter, helping to stabilize global temperatures and reduce feedback loops.

🌟 a vote of confidence! We are pleased to announce that we have received a funding prize from Rabobank at their annual ImpactFest yesterday! This gives further credence to the urgency of our mission to restore the damaged Arctic ecosystem. To everyone who believes in our mission—thank you. 🙏 ————— We’re fighting global warming at -30°C, restoring Arctic ice by thickening it in winter, helping to stabilize global temperatures and reduce feedback loops.

🌍 Announcement: Arctic Reflections Co-Founder to Speak at TEDxBoston Planet Action 2024 Fonger Ypma is looking forward to present at TEDxBoston Planet Action 2024 on November 17th, where global leaders, innovators, and scientists will gather at MIT Sloan School of Management to address the pressing environmental challenges of our time. Fonger will present “A plan to preserve the Arctic”, emphasizing the powerful role humans can play in creating positive change. Arctic Reflections is at the forefront of environmental innovation and awareness, committed to preserving Arctic summer sea ice to counter the effects of global warming #TEDxBoston #PlanetAction #ClimateScience #ArcticReflections #ProtectTheArctic #SustainableFuture #GlobalClimate