Nuclear icebreaker Yamal (Photo: Wikimedia Creative Commons – Wofratz)
As the Arctic Ocean becomes increasingly ice free it is tempting for many countries to exploit the region for hitherto inaccessible resources like oil and natural gas. Energy companies apply for drilling permits and shipping companies are eagerly looking for newly opened routes through the Arctic.
What about the people living in the Arctic?
Human Societies living in the Arctic are already, and will increasingly be, severely affected by ice melting due to rapid climate change (AMAP 2012). Their traditional lifestyles and culture are wholly dependent on the on the Arctic environment.
Find out more:
- NSIDC (National Snow and Ice Data Centre
- AMAP. (2011) Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost in the Arctic (SWIPA): Climate Change and the Cryosphere. Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), Oslo, Norway. Xii + 538pp.
- AMAP, 2012. Arctic Climate Issues 2011: Changes in Arctic Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost. SWIPA 2011 Overview Report. AMAPs 2011 assessment of the Arctic Cryosphere (the SWIPA assessment) updates information presented in the 2004/5 Arctic Climate Impact Assessment.