The Arctic Ahead

Arctic wildlife and Arctic peoples have faced rapid and dramatic environmental changes

In recent years, Arctic wildlife and Arctic peoples have faced rapid and dramatic environmental changes related to global climate change. While the region has always experienced fluctuations, the changes taking place now are happening at an unprecedented pace and scale. The Arctic is recognized as one of the fastest-warming regions on the globe. Air and sea temperatures are rising, tundra fires are occurring more frequently, ocean waters are becoming more acidic, seasonal sea ice cover is diminishing, permafrost is thawing, and coastal erosion is increasing. These changes are already being felt in the U.S. Arctic and are predicted to continue far into the future.