Interview with Dr. Frithjof C. Küpper, Biologist

What program is the Total Foundation supporting?
A program to characterize the biodiversity of microalgae and their diseases in a relatively unknown region of the Canadian Arctic*. No inventory of this aspect of biodiversity existed, because the waters in question had not been studied much until now. So the Total Foundation’s support was essential. We spent three weeks in the field and now we’re working on our samples, assessing videos and photos.

To what end?
We’re trying to detect the impact of climate change on ecosystems. From there, we will attempt to prepare forecasts and scenarios. The stakes are high: the survival of our civilization depends on having rich biodiversity and on our ability to use it responsibly and sustainably.

Will the findings of your field study be shared with the general public?
We hope so! We’re trying to popularize our findings for children and adults in the Inuit province in which we conducted our fieldwork. The topic of biodiversity has remained too academic. Now that we’re in the International Year of Biodiversity, things might change!

* Cape Hatt/Ragged Channel, north of Baffin Island