arctic
Newsletter
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New study reveals Arctic sea ice complicates shipping routes
Melting sea ice in the Canadian Arctic is paradoxically making shipping routes more hazardous due to the movement of centuries-old thick ice, according to recent research.
In short:
- Melting thinner ice is releasing thick, old ice, creating choke points in the Northwest Passage.
- The study, reflecting actual ship traffic from 2007-2021, shows increased risk on key routes, despite longer shipping seasons in some areas.
- Local coastal communities face increased food and supply costs due to shortened shipping seasons and reliance on costly airlifts.
Key quote:
"It's true that the Arctic sea ice in general is showing significant retreat and melting, and will continue to do so, but our new study shows that it's not a simple story."
— Alison Cook, Scottish Association for Marine Science
Why this matters:
Thick ice obstructing Arctic shipping routes poses economic and logistical challenges for coastal communities, increasing their dependence on expensive airlifts. Additionally, this complicates future plans for using the Northwest Passage as a reliable trade route, affecting global shipping logistics.
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Credit: Gustavo Frazao/Big Stock Photo
Young Indigenous voices address climate change at UN forum
Indigenous youth leaders shared their unique challenges and solutions at this year's United Nations forum on Indigenous issues.
In short:
- This year's United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues focused on listening to Indigenous youth's interests and concerns.
- The young leaders from across the globe expressed a wide array of concerns, from the dual vulnerabilities of Indigenous and LGBTQ+ communities in Greenland due to climate change to struggles for self-determination exacerbated by external political pressures and environmental concerns.
Key quote:
“When we listen to the land, the land will listen to us. It’s a language. Climate change is creating a language barrier.”
— Jakirah Telfer, representative of the Kaurna peoples in Australia.
Why this matters:
Many indigenous communities rely on natural resources for their livelihoods—such as hunting, fishing and agriculture. Changes in climate patterns can lead to resource scarcity, affect food security and disrupt traditional economic activities.
We need to stop compartmentalizing the environment, family and culture as separate problems, argued Diné researcher Kevin Patterson in this 2023 essay.
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Credit: Markus Kammermann/Pixabay
Gray whales face a tough road ahead after a significant die-off
A recent study suggests the dramatic increase in gray whale deaths along the Pacific Coast over the last six years may be due to a critical shortage of food in their Arctic feeding grounds.
In short:
- The gray whale population has suffered a dramatic decline, with more than 700 whales found dead since 2018, raising questions about their survival.
- Researchers pinpoint a drop in Arctic and sub-Arctic food supplies as a primary cause, though the exact reasons for this scarcity remain unclear.
- This die-off provides a crucial data point for understanding and potentially addressing the challenges faced by marine life in changing oceanic environments.
Key quote:
"We didn’t find any evidence of anything that looks like an infectious disease. There were no telltale signs of infection of any kind."
— Padraig Duignan, pathologist at the Marine Mammal Center
Why this matters:
Gray whales along the Pacific Coast have experienced significant die-offs, tentatively attributed to changing Arctic conditions and a decline in their primary food sources. Some researchers have observed a direct correlation between these die-offs and both the levels of Arctic sea ice and the biomass of benthic amphipods, a key food source for the whales.
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Newsletter
Credit: Diaz Misbakhov/Pixabay
Arctic trees multiply as sea ice retreats, signaling an environmental shift
In the Arctic, the expansion of white spruce is accelerating due to increased snowfall linked to sea ice loss, presenting new climate challenges.
In short:
- White spruce trees are encroaching on Alaskan tundra previously too harsh for their growth, exacerbated by the Arctic warming rate which is significantly higher than the global average.
- This 'Arctic greening' alters the local albedo effect, where darker tree areas absorb more sunlight, contributing to permafrost thawing and the potential release of greenhouse gases.
- Research indicates that decreased sea ice leads to more evaporation and snow, which aids young spruce survival, facilitating the northward spread of boreal forests.
Key quote:
"Once it gets to be about waist high, it's going to live. It's the little babies that don't survive."
— Roman Dial, ecologist at Alaska Pacific University
Why this matters:
Increased tree coverage in the Arctic could intensify warming trends and contribute to the escalating release of greenhouse gases from permafrost.
Arctic shorebirds are experiencing climate-related changes as well: The daily rate of eggs stolen from shorebirds' nests in the Arctic is three times higher than it was 70 years ago.
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Newsletter
Credit: GBurba/Big Stock Photo
Arctic rainfall: a new climate challenge
The Arctic faces a new environmental challenge as rainfall increases, impacting wildlife and indigenous communities.
In short:
- Rainfall in the Arctic, once rare, is now more frequent, causing significant ice loss and ecological disruptions.
- These rain-on-snow events are affecting wildlife survival and indigenous people's way of life.
- The increase in Arctic rainfall is a direct consequence of global warming and has far-reaching implications.
Key quote:
“We are trying to keep up with what is going on, but we keep getting surprised.”
— Mark Serreze, director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado
Why this matters:
This shift in Arctic weather patterns is critical as it not only accelerates ice loss and sea level rise but also poses severe challenges to Arctic wildlife and Indigenous communities. Understanding and addressing these changes are vital for global climate change mitigation efforts.
People are flocking to see melting glaciers before they're gone—bringing both benefit and harm.
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Credit: Florence D./Pixabay
Russian collaboration freeze impacts permafrost research
The escalating thaw of Arctic permafrost, a critical factor in global climate change, faces research challenges due to a halt in scientific collaboration with Russia, hindering vital data collection and analysis.
In short:
- The Russian invasion of Ukraine led to a halt in international permafrost research collaborations.
- More than half of the Arctic's permafrost, a significant carbon store, lies under Russian territory.
- Scientists are seeking alternative methods like remote sensing and proxy sites, but the lack of direct Russian data is a significant setback.
Key quote:
"We need specific measurements, in real time, and it has to happen from people in the ecosystem."
— Ted Schuur, Northern Arizona University
Why this matters:
This disruption hampers the global understanding of permafrost's role in climate change. Accurate data on permafrost thaw and greenhouse gas release is crucial for predicting and mitigating climate impacts, emphasizing the need for international scientific collaboration.
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Newsletter
Credit: Jay Ruzesky/Unsplash
Arctic wildlife faces dire challenges amid record heat and ecosystem changes
The Arctic's rapid warming is causing significant shifts in ecosystems, posing severe threats to the region's wildlife.
In short:
- Arctic species are struggling to adapt to the dramatic changes in their habitats due to climate change.
- The loss of sea ice is affecting a wide range of species, from walruses to migratory birds.
- The rapid pace of these environmental changes is outstripping the ability of many species to adapt.
Key quote:
“Species can adapt over time, but they don’t have time, and ecosystems are really complicated. I’m not clear which species will prevail and where.”
— Joel Clement, Arctic climate and policy expert
Why this matters:
This situation in the Arctic is a reminder of the broader impacts of climate change on global biodiversity. It highlights the urgent need for effective climate action to mitigate these changes and protect vulnerable species.
Read: Shorebird egg theft is becoming a big problem in the Arctic. And climate change is behind it.
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