We are proud to announce that Arctic Reflections has been selected as one of the projects funded by the United Kingdom’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) under its groundbreaking Exploring Climate Cooling programme. This marks a major milestone in our mission to slow down Arctic sea ice loss through responsible and science-driven innovation.
With £56.8 million allocated to 21 high-potential projects, the ARIA programme aims to accelerate research into safe, scalable climate interventions. Arctic Reflections will receive support to further develop and test its Arctic Ice Thickening methodology—a pioneering approach that aims to preserve Arctic sea ice by pumping sea water from below the ice on top of the ice during winter where extreme cold temperature will make it freeze rapidly. The surface area of Arctic summer sea ice has halved over the past decades. Preventing further loss is crucial, as the Arctic ice acts as the world’s refrigerator—its natural white surface reflects most incoming solar energy back into space, helping to keep the planet cool.
Arctic Reflections is part of a £9.9 million consortium consisting of University of Cambridge, University of Manchester, University College London, Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, University of Washington, Arizona State University and Real Ice, led by Shaun Fitzgerald of the Cambridge Centre for Climate Repair. This collaboration with several leading universities means we can validate the effectiveness of ice thickening through a combination of large scale modeling, small scale modeling, lab experiments and controlled field experiments. These field experiments will happen in close collaboration with local Arctic communities.
“We’re very happy and honored to be among the projects funded by ARIA,” said Fonger Ypma, CEO of Arctic Reflections. “This support allows us to deepen our scientific understanding and work transparently with public institutions to determine the viability and safety of ice thickening as a climate cooling measure. I am especially proud that the programme also funds our pioneering work on strengthening of naturally formed ice arches, as a potential way to limit sea ice export out of the Arctic.”
Arctic Reflections shares ARIA’s commitment to bold research, open data, and responsible innovation. The funding will contribute to a further set of field tests in the Canadian Arctic, aimed at validating the radiative cooling impact of artificial ice thickening, while maintaining the highest standards for environmental safety.
While reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains the most important way to combat climate change, it is unfortunately no longer sufficient on its own. As the world approaches key climate tipping points, we believe it is vital to explore responsible avenues to preserve Arctic sea ice. Arctic Reflections looks forward to contributing to this global effort with rigor, humility, and hope.
More information on the Exploring Climate Cooling programme by ARIA can be found here.
