Shared Arctic Variables are co-defined taking into account global, regional, indigenous and local voices and interests, hence the ”shared” in their name. Ideally the point is to share knowledge and identify gaps and needs, from all mentioned perspectives, to better our understanding of variety of Arctic themes ranging f.ex. from Wildfire to Sea Ice and Permafrost.

The figure illustrates the guiding principles for SAV, highlighting the equal input of Arctic Indigenous communities (red), regional and local stakeholders (blue), and global networks (green). Source: SAON ROADS

The Wildfire SAV is being developed in Arctic PASSION together with the Arctic wildfire preparedness project which supports local efforts in Finland. The adoption of Wildfires as an SAV is still in the early stages. Along with two other SAVs – permafrost and sea ice – the process is being coordinated, in collaboration with SAON, by Arctic PASSION, which will demonstrate how ROADS and SAVs can be put into action. Adriana Ford of the Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires has written an excellent article on the topic of 'What is a Shared Arctic Variable, and why have Arctic wildfires been proposed as one?' The history of wildfires as a SAV is documented here and updated regularly. 

Arctic PASSION partners, led by Ilka Matero from SIOS Knowledge Centre, have also recently published the paper 'sea ice as a proposed theme to define a Shared Arctic Variable', and recently participated in a session 'Roadmap for Arctic Observing and Data Systems (ROADS) - Shared Arctic Variables' at the Arctic Circle Assembly 2022 in Reykjavik, Iceland. The project's director, Michael Karcher, had particular focus on the development Shared Arctic Variables, and the session also included Lauren Divine and Margaret Rudolf as speakers. 

Michael Kacher discussing SAVs at the Arctic Circle Assembly 2022 ROADS session. Photo: Lisa Grosfeld. 

Panl discussion with Michael Krcher, Alice Bradley, Lauren Divine and Margaret Rudolf. Photo: Jan Rene Larsen

Heidi Sevestre moderates a panel discussion on 'wildfires' as a SAV at the Arctic Circle Assembly 2022's ROADS session. Photo: Lisa Grosfeld.