ArcSolution brings together researchers and local communities to address pollution and health challenges in the Arctic. In addition to recorded webinars, written summaries are now being published to make the content more accessible. This article covers Webinar #2 (15 January 2026), where Arja Rautio and Roland Kallenborn explained how One Health approaches help us understand the links between human, animal and environmental health in the Arctic.
Segment 1 – Arja Rautio: The One Health Concept with Examples from the Arctic
Professor Arja Rautio, Director of Arctic Health at the University of Oulu and a UArctic Chair, introduced the One Health concept and explained why it is particularly relevant in the Arctic.
- Holistic perspective: Rautio stressed that One Health connects human health with the health of animals and ecosystems. In the Arctic, climate change, melting permafrost and increasing tourism affect both exposure to contaminants and the spread of zoonotic diseases.
- Integrated risk factors: She emphasised that permafrost thaw and global pollution can release “old” contaminants, while increased mobility and tourism change exposure patterns. This calls for models that integrate environmental data, health monitoring and climate data.
- Examples from the Arctic: Rautio cited One Health in practice, such as the One Arctic, One Health initiative under the Arctic Council and university projects that study plastic pollution, heavy metals and zoonoses in partnership with local communities.
- Role of social sciences and Indigenous knowledge: She noted that the One Health approach must include social science perspectives, language, gender issues and Indigenous knowledge to build trust and ensure that research aligns with local priorities.
- Need for collaboration: Rautio emphasised that research, governance and communities must collaborate to identify risks and devise solutions, which requires long‑term relationships and open data sharing across disciplines.
Key takeaways from Segment 1
- One Health views the health of people, animals and the environment as interdependent.
- Climate change and growing tourism in the Arctic influence both contaminant exposures and zoonotic diseases.
- Indigenous knowledge and social sciences are essential for building trust and understanding local contexts.
- Projects like One Arctic, One Health show how interdisciplinary collaboration can produce practical solutions.
Segment 2 – Roland Kallenborn: The One Health Approach in ArcSolution
Professor Roland Kallenborn, scientific coordinator of ArcSolution and an expert in organic environmental chemistry, described how the project applies One Health principles to tackle pollution and health issues in the Arctic.
- Sources of pollution and challenges: Kallenborn noted that local conditions—such as inadequate infrastructure, waste burning and insufficient water supply—as well as globally transported pollutants (microplastics, per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other organic contaminants) put pressure on Arctic ecosystems and human health.
- Locally adapted solutions: He criticised earlier technology‑focused interventions that failed to consider local realities. ArcSolution works on circular solutions like producing biochar and biogas from biowaste; biochar can be used as fertiliser or for water filtration, while biogas provides local energy and reduces waste.
- One Health perspective: Kallenborn explained that ArcSolution considers human health, lifestyle and animal health as dependent on environmental quality and food safety. By studying the links between air, water and food contamination and health effects in humans and wildlife, the project aims to design effective measures.
- Participation and knowledge sharing: He highlighted that solutions must be co‑developed with local experts and communities. The project engages people in Greenland, Svalbard, northern Norway and Sápmi to identify key contaminants and design tailored interventions. The aim is to build small‑ to medium‑scale systems that communities can manage themselves.
- Building capacity: ArcSolution also serves as a training platform; several PhD and postdoc projects focus on waste treatment, drinking‑water cleaning and reducing emissions from biomass.
Key takeaways from Segment 2
- ArcSolution links human, animal and environmental health through the One Health lens.
- Pollution in the Arctic arises from both local waste management and globally transported chemicals.
- Sustainable interventions such as biochar and biogas production offer local benefits and reduce waste.
- The project prioritises community participation in Greenland, Svalbard, northern Norway and Sápmi.
- Training and recruiting young researchers is crucial for long‑term impact