Developing Future Indigenous Climate Leaders
Summary
The Coral & Ice Exchange is a program
envisioned by the Canadian organization
Students on Ice Foundation (SOI) and
Micronesian organization Island Research
& Education Initiative (iREi) and supported
by many other dedicated partners.
The program is inspired by the fact that
climate change, which has been described
as the single greatest threat to humankind,
is the most tangibleeven existential
problem in polar and tropical regions. This
has profound effects on people native to
the Arctic region and low-lying tropical
islands. In the Arctic, global warming is
much more pronounced than in the rest
of the globe; in the Pacific, coral atolls
and other low-lying islands could be
obliterated by sea level rise. The Coral
& Ice Exchange program aims to bring
together students from these two parts of
the worldvery distant from each other but
facing similar challenges of geography and
socioeconomics.
In this way, we wish to develop a network
of high-potential students to exchange
both traditional and scientific knowledge
as well as their experiences in the context
of climate change. The pilot will consist of
selecting a group of three students from
Micronesia to send aboard the 2017 SOI
Arctic Expedition to take place August
8 23, 2017. Should the pilot be deemed
successful by participating stakeholders,
a small group of Inuit students will then be
selected to travel to Micronesia.
The objective of bringing Micronesian
students to the Arctic and Inuit students
to tropical islands is to expose and
educate them to the characteristics of
vulnerability and resilience shared by their
societies. This reciprocal exchange creates
a circular experiential dynamic beneficial
to all stakeholders and creates a group of
young people possessing a unique and
direct understanding of climate change,
empowered to become indigenous leaders
in their communities and abroad, and
able to work across cultures for a more
sustainable future.
Co ra l & CORAL

I ce? ...represents
the warm seas
of tropical islands.

ICE

...represents the
freezing cold waters
of polar regions.

N
owhere are the effects of climate change more evident than on tropical islands
and in polar regions. The indigenous people living there are habituated to life
in climate extremes. Their resilient cultures integrate climate adaptations and
a wealth of Traditional Knowledge acquired over millennia. Today, as different
as those places are from each other, they share challenges and exhibit vital
similarities. This is particularly true in the context of climate change, where polar ice melting
in the north and coral reefs being afflicted in the south are driven by the same root cause,
one that has people in both places severely challenged today and worried about tomorrow.
Different places...
Climate change is a global threat, but not
all regions and communities are affected
in the same way or with the same severity.
Some of the most affected people in the
world are indigenous people of small
tropical islands and the polar regions.
A village on a coral-bound island
in the tropical Pacific Ocean...
Global Temperature Rise
Human activities cause concentrations
of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other
greenhouse gases (GHG) to increase.
These gases trap heat in the atmosphere and
cause our planet to warm up.
A community on the banks of a
glacial bay in the cold Arctic...
Which picture reminds you of home?
Regardless of where you live,
global climate change affects us all.
Warming Oceans
The atmosphere and the ocean
are closely interrelated. The
heat added to the atmosphere is
transfered to the ocean and causes the
water to warm up all over the world.
...shared challenges
Environments in tropical islands and polar and subpolar regionsas well as societies
indigenous to those areasare highly sensitive to climate change and share features of
vulnerability and resilience. Whether you live in the tropics or near the Earths poles, you
will recognize the points below as relevant to you and your home:

1 A continuing, deeply-rooted
connection of the people to
their environment
2 A body of local and
traditional knowledge
that is incorporated to varying
3 A history of resilience and
a demonstrated ability to
adapt to outside influences and
degrees into daily life and perturbations over generations
decision-making

4 Reliance on sustenance
economies based on
fragile natural resources on
5 High unemployment and
below average educational
attainment
6 High cost and difficulties
in transportation and
communication
land and the sea

7 Various degrees of loss

of traditional authority
and changes in community
8 Limited markets, lack of
local economic control, and
overdependence on imports
9 Changes in traditional diet
and lifestyle, exacerbated
by climate change, leading to
structure lead to a range of major health problems and
social problems, especially resulting in the worlds highest
among young people rates of obesity, diabetes, and
other health problems

Does the above sound familiar? Would you believe that there are people
in distant places you can hardly imagine whojust like yourecognize
the issues above as extremely relevant to themselves, their environment,
and their future? Would you like to meet people who live so far away yet
share with you so much?
 Polar
areas

Ar
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tic

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 Polar regions are the northernmost and
southernmost parts of our planet. They
have low average temperatures, long
periods of daylight in the summer and
darkness in the winter, and lots of snow
and ice. Plants, animals, and people
living there are adapted to these unique
conditions. Because of climate change, the
polar areas are transforming.

Shrinking Ice Sheets

Ice sheets (vast ice-covered areas
in Antarctica and Greenland)
lock in huge amounts of water
on land. Global warming melts the ice and
releases water into the ocean.

Declining Sea Ice

Sea ice (frozen surface of the
ocean in polar areas) regulates
the Earths climate: it reflects the
suns radiation and cools the ocean. Its
melting increases global warming and has
terrible effects on the polar ecosystem and
livelihood of indigenous people there.

Glacial Retreat
Glaciers (slowly-moving masses
of ice in polar areas and very
high mountains) are also melting.
This adds more water to the ocean.
 Tropical
islands

r o p i c s
T
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nam volorupta nusdae comnima ipicten
imagnisit, vollitaessit experovid molorunt
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ipis esto int omnis di in re, od molese of-
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 Tropical areas are near the Equator. They
are warm throughout the year and lack
strongly pronounced seasons. They get
a lot of sunshine, but can also get heavy
rainfall and very strong storms (typhoons).
Tropical areas have numerous islands,
many of which are built by corals, which
thrive in shallow warm waters. Today, these
islands suffer from climate change.

Sea Level Rise

Ice melting in polar regions adds
water to the ocean and causes
the sea level to rise. This erodes
and floods low-lying islands in the tropics
and can make them uninhabitable.

Ocean Acidification
CO2 added to the atmosphere is
naturally transferred from air to
the ocean. More CO2 makes water
more acidic. It slows down coral growth
and can devastate marine ecosystems.

Extreme Events
Global warming may increase
intensity and frequency of
droughts and typhoons, making
life in the islands even more challenging.
From Micronesia...
Coral & Ice Exchange is
a partnership between
organizations and people
in tropical islands,
specifically the Western
Pacific region of
Micronesia, and in polar
regions, specifically the
Canadian Arctic and
Greenland. It provides
opportunities to high
school students from the
Pacific Islands to travel to the
Arctic and meet peers there.
...to the Arctic
In the Arctic, students from
Micronesia will join students
from Canada and other
countries on an educational
cruise. They will visit
different communities,
coasts, and islands;
make friends and
exchange experiences
and knowledge; learn
from world-class educators
and scientists; and gain
precious insights into our planet
and climate.
...and from the Arctic to Micronesia

This is a two-way opportunity. Students from the Arctic will experience

Micronesia with their peers as hosts.

Students participation in Coral & Ice Exchange involves four principal phases:

1 Students from the

Micronesian nations
of Palau, Federated
States of Micronesia
(FSM), and Republic of
Marshall Islands (RMI)
apply to participate.
One applicant from
each nation is selected.
2 The three
Micronesian
students and two
3 During the cruise
itself, students
from the Canadian
4 After their
participation
in the exchange, the
scientists/educators Arctic will apply to students will share
acting as chaperones participate in the return their experiences with
fly from Micronesia to visit to Micronesia peers and the general
Canada and participate sometime the following public back home and
in the educational winter. continue being involved
cruise. as alumni.

Early 2017 a August 2017 a Early 2018 a Future

 why
?
For experience...
This exchange is for you if you are interested
in learning about the world, getting to know
other cultures and environments. It is especially
directed to students who want to build a better
understanding of climate change and help their
community better adapt to it. This experience
will make you a more informed and effective
citizen in the struggle to address the impacts of
climate change at home.
...and for the future
We have created this opportunity because we
believe that giving you a chance to experience
how climate change affects people in other
parts of the world and to share with them
how it affects your own community will create
long-term benefits in both Arctic and island
societies. What you gain in this experience will
empower you to help your community better
adapt to climate change and together build a
sustainable future.
Application
& selection in Micronesia
February through April, 2017
Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the
Republic of Marshall Islands
Between February and April 2017, high school
students in Micronesia contact the coordinator
in their country (see the last page) to request
more information and application forms. iREi
and partners select the best from among the
applicants and invite them for interviews and
consultation. Participants are selected by April.
when
? ?
Expedition
& selection in the Arctic
August 8 August 23, 2017
Canada
and Greenland
Around August 3, Micronesian participants
fly to Canada. On August 8, they embark on
the expedition through the Canadian Arctic
and Western Greenland. At that time, Arctic
students will apply for latter consideration to
visit Micronesia. On August 23, the journey
ends in Greenland. From there, the participants
fly to Ottawa and onward to their homes.
where
 what how
? ?

Arctic expedition program

The 2017 Arctic Expedition will bring together more than 100 Canadian and international students
with inspiring scientists, elders, artists, musicians, politicians, business leaders, authors and
innovators. Immersed in nature and engaged in cross-disciplinary activities, students will be
inspired, motivated, educated and challenged.

After several days of pre-expedition activities in Ottawa, students and staff will fly to Resolute Bay, in
the Canadian province of Nunavut to board the expedition vessel there. They will set sail to explore
the communities, coasts, fiords, bays and islands of the Canadian Arctic before crossing the Davis
Strait to explore the western coast of Greenland. The expedition will explore the eastern entrance
of the Northwest Passage with visits to Pond Inlet, Beechey Island, and the breathtaking Sirmilik
National Park. In Greenland, students will explore a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Illulisat Icefjord,
before sailing south to the quaint fishing town of Itilleq. The expedition will end in Kangerlussuaq,
where participants will board a charter flight back to Ottawa. Each day will be filled with exploration,
discovery, presentations, workshops, hands-on research, hikes and lots of adventure!
Micronesian visit program
About 6 months after the expedition, we will welcome three students from the Arctic to visit
Micronesia. The Micronesian visit will last about two weeks. The specific island(s) to be visited and
the details of the program are yet to be determined.

In general, the visitors from the Arctic will be immersed in Pacific Island nature and culture. This
will include outdoors activities such as hiking in rainforests, snorkeling around coral reefs, and
kayaking through mangrove swampsall accompanied by local environmentalists and with the
special focus on observing impacts of climate change and sea level rise. We will observe evidence
of climate changespecifically coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and coral bleachingand
explore impacts on island communities and ways that Pacific Islanders are reacting to and adapting
to these changes. There will also be workshops, presentations, and meetings with local students
and youth, as well as opportunities to meet scientists, educators, holders of indigenous ecological
knowledge, and traditional and elected leaders, to exchange experiences and learn from each other.
Organizing partners

Students on Ice
Foundation

who
?
Island Research &
Education Initiative

Strategic partners Program team

Geoff Green, Founder, Executive Director &
Expedition Leader, Students on Ice

Danko Taborosi, Founder & Director,

Island Research Education Initiative (iREi)

Milbry Polk, Founder WINGS WorldQuest &

Board Member of The Explorers Club

David Prieto, Sustainability Consultant &

Member of The Explorers Club
contact to apply
Palau
Destin Penland
Students on Ice (SOI) destinrp@gmail.com
680-488-8130
expedition@studentsonice.com
FSM
Paulina Yourupi
paulina@islandresearch.org
Island Research & 691-320-5212
Education Initiative (iREi) RMI
Tamara Alefaio
irei@islandresearch.org conservation@ourmicronesia.org
692-625-7279