EEA establish further links with the Arctic

The European Environment Commission has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Health in Greenland in an attempt to further understand the effect of European pollution on the Arctic region.

The two organisations committed to exchange personnel, and share knowledge, data and other expertise on environment-related health issues in the region, with particular emphasis on the effects of chemicals and hazardous substances, the human consequences of waste management, and health impacts of climate change.

The UK government has recently been under significant pressure to act over the 'reckless race to the Arctic', as global warming has opened up parts of the region to oil exploration. According to environmental groups, the most stringent laws should be enforced to protect the region against detrimental commercialisation.

Pollutants from Europe can be transported across the Atlantic by ocean currents and atmospheric deposition, which can contaminate certain foods in Greenland. The countries own waste systems will also be reviewed, as the diverse locations of settlements have made it difficult to implement a unified system.

Posted by Lauren Steadman