“Why Care?” Webinar Series
“Why Care?” Webinar Series
“Why Care?” Webinar Series
“Why Care?” Webinar Series
“Why Care?” is a discussion series hosted by the AYO that explored the four key issues in the Arctic Ocean: climate change, biodiversity loss, marine pollution, and governance & coastal communities. Each of the four online events in 2025/26 posed the simple but powerful question Why care? to a panel of Arctic and Indigenous youth, experts from research and industry, and other relevant stakeholders in an open round-table debate.
These discussions were followed by an interactive exchange with the audience, creating space for dialogue, learning, and connection. Through the “Why Care?” series, the AYO aims to raise awareness, connect enthusiastic Youth across the Arctic, and ensure that youth perspectives are heard & meaningfully included in discussions shaping the future of the Arctic Ocean.
The series was moderated by International Ocean Governance Expert Sebastian Maria Karl Heinrich Kopf.
Webinar’s in the Series
Webinar’s in the Series
Vol. 1 – Climate Change and the Arctic Ocean
On April 30th 2025, the AYO Working Group hosted its first installment of the “Why Care” Webinar Series about the importance of the Arctic Ocean and Climate Change!
About the Webinar:
The aim of the Webinar was to explore the critical importance of the Arctic Oceans and which impacts climate change change has on the biodiversity and health of the Arctic Ocean. A great panel of Arctic Indigenous youth, experts from marine industrial sectors and research engaged in a discussion with each other and the audience about how they experience climate change in the Arctic Ocean.
Our speakers were:
- Delphin Ruché – Director of Rissa Citizen Science, Keynote;
- Edna Lyberth – Youth, Coastal perspective;
- Anna Lauenburger – Youth, Researcher;
- Maiyuraq Nanouk Jones – Indigenous youth, Scholar;
- Samantha Mcbeth – Industry perspective.
Watch the recording!
Vol. 1 – Climate Change and the Arctic Ocean
On April 30th 2025, the AYO Working Group hosted its first installment of the “Why Care” Webinar Series about the importance of the Arctic Ocean and Climate Change!
About the Webinar:
The aim of the Webinar was to explore the critical importance of the Arctic Oceans and which impacts climate change change has on the biodiversity and health of the Arctic Ocean. A great panel of Arctic Indigenous youth, experts from marine industrial sectors and research engaged in a discussion with each other and the audience about how they experience climate change in the Arctic Ocean.
Our speakers were:
- Delphin Ruché – Director of Rissa Citizen Science, Keynote;
- Edna Lyberth – Youth, Coastal perspective;
- Anna Lauenburger – Youth, Researcher;
- Maiyuraq Nanouk Jones – Indigenous youth, Scholar;
- Samantha Mcbeth – Industry perspective.
Watch the recording!
“Why Care?” Webinar Series
“Why Care?” Webinar Series
“Why Care?” is a discussion series hosted by the AYO that explored the four key issues in the Arctic Ocean: climate change, biodiversity loss, marine pollution, and governance & coastal communities. Each of the four online events in 2025/26 posed the simple but powerful question Why care? to a panel of Arctic and Indigenous youth, experts from research and industry, and other relevant stakeholders in an open round-table debate.
These discussions were followed by an interactive exchange with the audience, creating space for dialogue, learning, and connection. Through the “Why Care?” series, the AYO aims to raise awareness, connect enthusiastic Youth across the Arctic, and ensure that youth perspectives are heard & meaningfully included in discussions shaping the future of the Arctic Ocean.
The series was moderated by International Ocean Governance Expert Sebastian Maria Karl Heinrich Kopf.
Webinar’s in the Series
Webinar’s in the Series
Vol. 1 – Climate Change and the Arctic Ocean
On April 30th 2025, the AYO Working Group hosted its first installment of the “Why Care” Webinar Series about the importance of the Arctic Ocean and Climate Change!
About the Webinar:
The aim of the Webinar was to explore the critical importance of the Arctic Oceans and which impacts climate change change has on the biodiversity and health of the Arctic Ocean. A great panel of Arctic Indigenous youth, experts from marine industrial sectors and research engaged in a discussion with each other and the audience about how they experience climate change in the Arctic Ocean.
Our speakers were:
- Delphin Ruché – Director of Rissa Citizen Science, Keynote;
- Edna Lyberth – Youth, Coastal perspective;
- Anna Lauenburger – Youth, Researcher;
- Maiyuraq Nanouk Jones – Indigenous youth, Scholar;
- Samantha Mcbeth – Industry perspective.
Watch the recording!
Vol. 2 – Biodiversity Loss in the Arctic Ocean
On September 11th 2025 at 4 pm (GMT), the AYO Working Group continued its “Why Care” Webinar Series and hosted a second event on Biodiversity Loss in the Arctic Ocean!
About the Webinar:
The aim of the Webinar was to explore the phenomenon and impacts of biodiversity loss in the Arctic Ocean from different angles. For this purpose, a panel of Arctic Indigenous youth, locals and scientists shared their knowledge with each other and the audience and explored the concepts of biodiversity and ecosystems from within and outside of the Arctic.
Our speakers were:
- David N. Thomas – Professor of Arctic Ecosystem Research, Keynote;
- Miyuki Daorana – Indigenous youth, Anthropologist;
- Priscilla Frankson – Indigenous youth, Scholar.
Watch the recording!
Vol. 2 – Biodiversity Loss in the Arctic Ocean
On September 11th 2025 at 4 pm (GMT), the AYO Working Group continued its “Why Care” Webinar Series and hosted a second event on Biodiversity Loss in the Arctic Ocean!
About the Webinar:
The aim of the Webinar was to explore the phenomenon and impacts of biodiversity loss in the Arctic Ocean from different angles. For this purpose, a panel of Arctic Indigenous youth, locals and scientists shared their knowledge with each other and the audience and explored the concepts of biodiversity and ecosystems from within and outside of the Arctic.
Our speakers were:
- David N. Thomas – Professor of Arctic Ecosystem Research, Keynote;
- Miyuki Daorana – Indigenous youth, Anthropologist;
- Priscilla Frankson – Indigenous youth, Scholar.
Watch the recording!
Vol. 3 – Marine Pollution in the Arctic Ocean
On November 19th 2025 at 4 pm (GMT), the AYO Working Group hosted its third event of the “Why Care” Webinar Series about Marine Pollution in the Arctic Ocean!
About the Webinar:
The third webinar focused on the issue of marine pollution in the Arctic Ocean. From its origin and legal classification to impacts and solutions under the international framework – a panel consisting of Youth, activists and researchers illustrated vividly and discussed with the audience why we should care about marine pollution.
Our speakers were:
- Eva van der Marel – Associate Professor for Law, Keynote;
- Charla Basran – Marine mammal researcher;
- Johanna Franke – Youth, Marine plastic pollution activist;
- César Soares de Oliveira – Youth, Legal researcher.
Watch the recording!
Vol. 3 – Marine Pollution in the Arctic Ocean
On November 19th 2025 at 4 pm (GMT), the AYO Working Group hosted its third event of the “Why Care” Webinar Series about Marine Pollution in the Arctic Ocean!
About the Webinar:
The third webinar focused on the issue of marine pollution in the Arctic Ocean. From its origin and legal classification to impacts and solutions under the international framework – a panel consisting of Youth, activists and researchers illustrated vividly and discussed with the audience why we should care about marine pollution.
Our speakers were:
- Eva van der Marel – Associate Professor for Law, Keynote;
- Charla Basran – Marine mammal researcher;
- Johanna Franke – Youth, Marine plastic pollution activist;
- César Soares de Oliveira – Youth, Legal researcher.
Watch the recording!
Vol. 4 – Governance & coastal communities in the Arctic Ocean
On January 12th 2026 at 4:30 pm (GMT), the AYO Working Group concluded its “Why Care” Webinar Series with its fourth event on governance & coastal communities in the Arctic Ocean!
About the Webinar:
The fourth and final webinar highlighted the various dimensions of governance and the role of coastal communities in the Arctic Ocean. In the round-table debate, the youth panelists from the Arctic and beyond emphasized the need to include voices of Youth, especially Indigenous Youth, into current governance systems that rather prevent than promote inclusion & equity.
Our speakers were:
- Deniz Vural – Youth, Arctic Coastal Dynamic researcher;
- Laura Wilmot – Youth, Indigenous Law researcher;
- Natalia Serrano Burbano – Youth, Indigenous Law researcher;
- Natalie Noksana – Indigenous Youth, Inuvialuit harvester and activist.
Watch the recording!
Vol. 4 – Governance & coastal communities in the Arctic Ocean
On January 12th 2026 at 4:30 pm (GMT), the AYO Working Group concluded its “Why Care” Webinar Series with its fourth event on governance & coastal communities in the Arctic Ocean!
About the Webinar:
The fourth and final webinar highlighted the various dimensions of governance and the role of coastal communities in the Arctic Ocean. In the round-table debate, the youth panelists from the Arctic and beyond emphasized the need to include voices of Youth, especially Indigenous Youth, into current governance systems that rather prevent than promote inclusion & equity.
Our speakers were:
- Deniz Vural – Youth, Arctic Coastal Dynamic researcher;
- Laura Wilmot – Youth, Indigenous Law researcher;
- Natalia Serrano Burbano – Youth, Indigenous Law researcher;
- Natalie Noksana – Indigenous Youth, Inuvialuit harvester and activist.