The FAO defines blue growth as: “as economic growth and social development emanating from living resources of the oceans and inland waters and from related activities in the coastal zones, which minimize environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and unsustainable use of living aquatic resources.” An international and interdisciplinary team of researchers is currently exploring various perspectives linked to this concept and this session will bring together a series of talks that all focus on better understanding the definition, dynamics, and mechanisms of blue growth in the context of the Arctic. Specifically, the session will i) clarifying what blue growth is ii) characterize some of the dynamics and mechanics of blue growth and iii) and describe its significance to current ocean governance.  The session will end with a panel discussion.

Speakers:

• Anne Marie Eikeset CEES, University of Oslo: Green Growth Based on Marine Resources: an Introduction to the GreenMAR Project
• Simon A. Levin, Professor Princeton University (video message)
• Thorsten Blenckner, Stockholm Resilience Center: Blue Growth in the context of Arctic Resilience.
• Susa Niiranen, Stockholm Resilience Center: Global Connectivity and Cross-Scale Interactions Create Uncertainty for Blue Growth of Arctic Fisheries
• Matilda Valman, Post-doctoral Researcher, Stockholm Resilience Center: A sea of many colours. Comparing ideas and practices of Blue growth
• Brynhildur Davidsdottir, Professor Environment and Natural Resources, University of Iceland: Governance strategy for Blue Growth; Challenges and Opportunities – the Road Forward

Chair

• Nils Christian Stenseth, Professor CEES University of Oslo.