Defining a Shared Arctic Variable (SAV) based on permafrost or 'Living on frozen ground', as part of the Arctic PASSION (‘Pan-Arctic Observing System of Systems: Implementing Observations for societal Needs’) combines scientific observations with novel approaches to bettering our understanding from the point of view of Arctic communities. Arctic PASSION therefore proposes using ‘Permafrost’ as a starting point for one Expert Panel to start developing a proposal for a SAV to the ROADS Advisory Panel.