Arctic
Climate change is happening two to four times faster in the Arctic than the rest of the world.
Why the Arctic matters
Arctic wildlife has evolved to live in a cold climate. Their lives are timed to match snow and ice melt, freeze-up, and other natural rhythms. But despite the cold and many months of darkness, the Arctic region boasts highly productive ecosystems both on land and in the Arctic Ocean.
This rich underwater and shoreline environment is facing major changes, including a loss of sea ice and increased ship traffic and development pressures.
Threats in the Arctic
Underwater noise
The Arctic has long been one of the quietest environments on Earth thanks to a thick covering of ice. But this is changing as climate change causes ice to recede or thin out. Ship traffic, both cruise and cargo, is growing. As a result, noise and traffic is increasing and creating a more challenging environment for marine mammals.
Climate change and the Arctic
Climate change is happening two to four times faster in the Arctic than the rest of the world. It’s dramatically altering the Arctic environment and impacting all wildlife.
On land, warmer temperatures lengthen the growing season, allowing shrubs and trees to move further north. Melting permafrost causes lakes to drain, and softens and eroding the normally ice-covered coastlines. This reduces critical bird and fish habitat.
Wildlife normally found further south, like grizzly bears, foxes, and a variety of fish, are moving further north because of the earlier and more extensive snow and ice melt. This means they’re competing with their Arctic counterparts.
Industrial development in the Arctic
There’s more oil and gas development happening in the Arctic, both on land and in the ocean.
High-value mineral resources could lead to large-scale mining in new areas, as well as new roads and year-round shipping.
Our solutions
Conservation planning across borders
We are working with our colleagues in the Russian Federation, United States, and Canada, as well as Indigenous governments and communities in Alaska and Canada, to address conservation challenges across Arctic Beringia.
Our goal is to change land-use and conservation planning approaches so that they take a more holistic approach to protecting key areas and reducing development impacts instead of relying on piecemeal project approvals that can lead to steadily growing cumulative impacts.
Reducing underwater noise
We’re working with Inuvialuit communities to see how the noise from ships might affect marine life in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas.
Underwater sound monitoring equipment allows us to track the presence of whales and seals in the Beaufort Sea and to monitor ship noise and soundscape changes over time.
We’re using our findings to suggest safer practices, like slowing down ships or avoiding certain areas at certain times, to the Arctic Council and the Canadian government.
Monitoring changes in the Arctic
We are monitoring ecological changes and ecosystem health in the Arctic marine environment through methods like measuring the diets of local ice seals.
To do this, we work closely with our local Inuvialuit partners on a community- based monitoring approach, one of the ways in which we show our deep respect for their traditional knowledge.
Projects
Assessing seal diet and health
We are working with Inuit in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region to assess seal diets and contaminants as indicators of a changing Arctic ecosystem.
Documenting the impacts of underwater noise
Addressing impacts from shipping and climate change in the western Arctic
Stories and op-eds
What does it take to turn knowledge into action alongside communities?
In conservation, knowledge has the most power when it moves – across communities, decision makers, and practice.
Focus on Fellows: Brandon Laforest
We spoke with 2012 Weston Fellow Brandon Laforest, now Lead Specialist in Arctic Conservation at WWF Canada, about his journey in conservation, his research on polar bears, and the important role of mentorship in shaping his career.
Can AI successfully detect Ringed Seal barks in an ocean of acoustic data?
A young scientist uses artificial intelligence to help protect the ArcticMedia coverage
New research about the effects of underwater noise and climate change on western arctic marine animals
Silence on ocean noise while Arctic development races ahead
Colony of 'penguins of the North' in N.W.T. threatened by Arctic shipping, researchers say
Press releases
