The North Pole Marathon wrapped up on July 13, but this annual race is about more than endurance—it’s a frontline scientific mission to document and combat climate change in the Arctic. This year’s event, organised by Runbuk, doubled as a platform for the North Pole Forum, a scientific initiative that brought together Arctic experts, policymakers, and industry leaders aboard the French icebreaker cruise ship Le Commandant Charcot. The vessel not only transported runners to and from the race but also served as a floating laboratory, collecting critical data on the Arctic’s rapidly changing environment.
Peter Damisch, a veteran Arctic explorer leading the ship’s scientific expedition, emphasised the value of the data being gathered. “We’ve been collecting precious scientific data, including water samples from both the pole and along the voyage,” he said. This real-time information is crucial for understanding the region’s delicate ecosystem and the accelerating effects of climate change.
The Forum’s discussions went beyond pure science, tackling governance, global cooperation, and even the insurance industry’s role in mitigating climate risks. Jennifer Spence, director of the Arctic Initiative program, stressed the importance of international collaboration. “Scientific cooperation is very important. And that means working across boundaries because the types of data that we need to understand what’s happening and what the impacts are going to be, aren’t things that one individual country can do on its own,” she said. Spence highlighted Russia’s significant Arctic coastline—nearly 50% of the region—and called for expanded cooperation with other Arctic nations to tackle climate change collectively.
The environmental crisis in the Arctic isn’t just an ecological concern; it’s reshaping industries, including insurance. Rob Schinek, CEO of Bolttech insurance services, discussed the sector’s challenges in adapting to climate change. “The big challenge for us is to continue to find new ways to give customers access to protection and new ways to make sure that the protection is actually going to be not at the cost of the insurance companies where they lose money so that others get protection. It’s a balancing act,” he said. Schinek’s remarks underscored the broader economic and social implications of Arctic warming, from melting ice caps to hurricanes and wildfires.
The urgency of these discussions is underscored by the latest data. A 2025 World Meteorological Organisation report revealed that the Arctic is warming three times faster than the global average, a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability and the need for immediate action. The North Pole Marathon and its accompanying Forum serve as a microcosm of the broader fight against climate change—one that demands collaboration, innovation, and a shared sense of responsibility. As the Arctic continues to warm, the lessons learned from this unique event could shape global efforts to preserve one of the planet’s most critical environments.