Why the Arctic ?

The Arctic tundra represents about 4% of the total landmass on Earth. Most of it is located in the northern parts of Russia and Canada, with smaller areas in Alaska and Scandinavia. The tundra is treeless and most of the ground is frozen throughout the year (permafrost), due to the very cold climate. The land is covered by a blanket of snow for up to 9 months of the year. The Arctic is a fragile environment. Plants and animals have to survive extreme cold temperatures during winter, and have difficulties coping with any additional stresses or disturbances.

 

The tundra in summer, East-European Russian Arctic.  
Photo P. Kuhry
 
 
The tundra in winter, East-European Russian Arctic
Reindeer-herders in the East-European Russian Arctic
  The tundra is often considered a vast wilderness. Although sparsely populated, however, it has sustained traditional lifestyles for hundreds to thousands of years, such as reindeer-herding in parts of Eurasia and hunting / fishing throughout the Circumpolar North. A recent development is large scale industrialisation for the exploitation of non-renewable resources like minerals and hydrocarbons. This is especially prevalent in parts of northern Russia and Alaska. Industrialisation has resulted in the creation of some large Arctic towns, especially in Russia, and brings about the added risk of environmental pollution. Pollutants are also transported from industrialised regions at middle latitudes to the Arctic due to global atmospheric circulation patterns.

 
 

An oil field in the tundra, East-European Russian Arctic. 
Photo. P. Kuhry
 
 
A coal mine near Vorkuta, East-European Russian Arctic
The coal-burning power plant in the town of Inta, East-European Russian Arctic
 
 Despite its remoteness, several processes in the Arctic play a key role in global climate. Hence, any changes in the environment due to climate changes and pollution not only affect the Arctic itself but also have global consequences.

 

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