“… harnessing the power of connections and effective communication”

One year ago, I received the exciting news that I was awarded a Fulbright fellowship to Norway. As a Fulbright Scholar, not only would I have the opportunity to advance my research interests by collaborating with the Blue Carbon Programme at GRID-Arendal, but I would have the opportunity to explore my Norwegian heritage. Now, as I finish my work in Norway, I hope I have upheld the goal of the Fulbright program, which is to improve mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. 

In Alaska, I study oceanic blue carbon, which refers to the natural ways that marine vertebrates like fish and marine mammals can store carbon. However, an important component of my research program that was missing was getting this information into the hands of non-scientists. The pathway from science to communication to policy is often neglected during scientific research, due to constraints on time, funding, and know-how. My aim at GRID-Arendal was to “make science matter” by sharing the science of oceanic blue carbon with a larger audience. While I didn’t know it a year ago, this project was particularly timely given the dire climate warnings recently put forth in international and national reports. On a positive note, my Fulbright project also coincided with the passage of two resolutions at the International Whaling Commission that recognized the importance of whales in ecosystem functioning and climate change mitigation.

Through my collaboration with GRID-Arendal, I was able to accomplish my Fulbright goal and much more. I helped to write a paper for scientific audiences and a story map for the general public. I gave presentations to academic groups in Arendal, Kristiansand, Tromsø, and Reykjavik. One of the most impactful components of my Fulbright work was presenting at the Eye on Earth Summit in Dubai. In collaboration with GRID-Arendal’s Blue Programme Leader, Steven Lutz, and cartoonist Jim Toomey, we launched the story map and a new video on oceanic blue carbon. 

One component of my project that I most enjoyed was harnessing the power of connections and effective communication. Coming from years in academia, it was refreshing to work within the fast-paced world of GRID-Arendal’s international network. I am inspired by the hard-working team that works on global conservation issues from the mountains to the oceans. It was encouraging to see how GRID-Arendal utilizes its broad international network and effective communications strategies to reach the necessary target audiences to enact positive change. I especially enjoyed the opportunity to improve my skills in science communication by collaborating on the creation of an infographic, story map, and news articles on oceanic blue carbon. 

While my home base was in Arendal, I had opportunities to travel throughout Norway. Prior to starting my Fulbright project, I traveled the coastline from Tromsø to Bergen. The highlight of this was meeting my extended family on the island of Senja, where my grandmother lived until she immigrated to the US in 1929 when she was nine years old. Through the GRID-Arendal staff retreat, I explored the “end of the world”, Verdens Ende. On weekend trips, my husband and I hiked Preikestolen, traversed the fjords of southwest Norway by kayak and boat, scaled the mountains on the Flåm railway, and stayed at the southernmost tip of Norway, Lindesnes Fyr. I also had the great fortune to attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo. Hearing the speeches from laureates Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege was a powerful and moving experience. They are an inspiration to us all. 

While I feel I have accomplished a great deal during my Fulbright project, I also feel this work is just beginning. We have laid the groundwork for establishing the current state of knowledge surrounding oceanic blue carbon and have communicated this information to various stakeholders. Now, the next step is to build upon this to continue to advance the science so that, ultimately, these concepts can be incorporated into conservation and climate change policy. 

Upon my return to Alaska, I will share what I learned. I will incorporate blue carbon science, communication, and policy into the curricula of my undergraduate marine biology courses at the University of Alaska Southeast. Living in Juneau, the capital of Alaska, I will apply the communication strategies I learned towards sharing the blue carbon concept with state lawmakers. All in all, my experience at GRID-Arendal has armed me with the knowledge, skills, and connections to continue to advance blue carbon science and communication so that, ultimately, it can be used as a strategy for climate change mitigation.

As I reflect on the five months I spent in Norway, the memories that stand out are hiking through Norway’s amazing natural environment, the sense of accomplishment when we shared our story map with the world, attending the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, and settling into the comfortable pace of life in Arendal. However, the connections I made with the people are what I will value the most. I developed professional relationships and friendships that I hope will last for years to come.