State learning and role playing : international environmental cooperation in the Arctic Council

Abstract

They say a Greenland shark could live for 400 years. Apparently, the combination of cold Arctic waters and slow motions makes wonders for longevity. While writing this dissertation, one of these fascinating and giant old-timers has hung next to me. Framed, I should say. Having her peeking at me has given a much-needed perspective on time: writing a dissertation takes time, but after all not that much time. (Oh yes, I admit, more than once I have searched high and low for an end in sight.) However, the true reason for the picture on my wall is another, much more important. Imagine, there are sharks currently swimming around that swam already in the preindustrialized era. The speed and the consequences of human-induced climate change are in that comparison even more mind-boggling. For me, writing this dissertation, the Greenland shark has served as a personal memento on just that. And then, all of a sudden, this book was finished. For this, I owe many people a big thank you. First of all, I am grateful to my supervisors, Mikael Spång and Rikard Bengtsson; over the years you have untiringly guided and commented, questioned and suggested, always in a constructive and friendly manner. Mikael, my main supervisor, an additional thanks to you for not only contributing with all your clever thoughts, but for genuinely caring, on different levels, for how the work has proceeded. It has meant a lot to me. A warm thanks to