Ocean Science Expedition

Around the time of the expedition, ship traffic through the passage had also noticeably increased, highlighting how accessible this once-impassable route has become due to warming temperatures.

The expedition had several core objectives. At its heart, it aimed to raise awareness of the rapid environmental transformation in the Arctic and highlight the region’s role in the broader climate system. The team gathered scientific data on ocean temperature, salinity, CO₂ levels, microplastics, environmental DNA, and underwater acoustics — capturing not only the scientific signals of change, but also the sensory experience of a melting Arctic. One moment stood out in particular: crossing Disko Bay on the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, as thousands of icebergs crumbled and melted.

The expedition also aimed to bring the climate conversation to the business and finance community, recognising that over half of global GDP depends on nature. By engaging private sector leaders directly, the expedition aimed to show why bold action on climate and nature is not only necessary, but urgent.

Of the 16 Global Tipping Points identified by climate scientists, 6 are either located in the Arctic or directly linked to it. These include the collapse of Arctic winter sea ice, which affects global temperatures and atmospheric patterns, and the loss of the Greenland Ice Sheet, which contributes to sea level rise. The abrupt thaw of boreal permafrost releases large amounts of greenhouse gases and permanently alters the landscape, while the northern expansion of boreal forests, though it may seem positive, can accelerate regional warming and permafrost melt. Two major ocean circulation systems are also at risk: the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), whose weakening or collapse would dramatically alter global climate systems, and the Labrador-Irminger Seas convection, where disruptions in deep ocean currents could further destabilise the AMOC and global weather patterns.

The fact that so many of these tipping points are connected to the Arctic highlights the role of the region as a global climate indicator. Changes in the Arctic climate don’t stay in the Arctic — they influence climate outcomes everywhere.

Travelling through areas tied directly to these tipping points gave the expedition a unique chance to observe these changes up close.

Displaying this visual in the Arctic — a region experiencing some of the most dramatic effects of climate change — reinforced the expedition’s message. The climate crisis is unfolding now, and its effects are clearly visible across the Northwest Passage.

In addition to eDNA, the expedition recorded underwater sounds. These acoustic recordings help scientists detect marine life in places that are hard to access or see, especially in deep or murky waters. Sounds collected during the expedition will contribute to the Global Library of Underwater Biological Sounds (GLUBS), a growing database that helps scientists identify species and track changes in their behaviour, distribution, and abundance over time.

Another important part of the expedition’s research was collecting ocean plastic samples in collaboration with The Ocean Race. These included the first-ever microplastic samples taken in the Northwest Passage. This information is critical for understanding the spread of plastic pollution in remote areas that have rarely been studied.

Together, these data collection efforts aimed to support research and help provide an understanding of how climate change and human activity are affecting Arctic life—and will help scientists, conservationists, and policymakers protect these fragile ecosystems into the future.

Through first-hand observation, scientific data collection, and storytelling, the expedition aimed to bring these facts to the attention of businesses. The message to the private sector is clear: the Arctic is a vital part of the global system that supports both economic and ecological stability—and there is still time to act, at scale and with urgency.