WWF - Helping to protect the Arctic
The Arctic is one of the last and largest wild regions on earth. A vast ocean surrounded by land, it includes the territories of eight countries and stretches from the permanently frozen polar ice cap, across seasonal zones of sea ice, over some of the most bountiful seas in the world, to glacier-filled coastlines and huge plains of tundra and taiga.
Far from being a barren place, the Arctic has large populations of wildlife. Polar bears, arctic foxes and seals live around the sea ice edge, while arctic oceans are home to unique species of whale such as the beluga and narwhal, and huge stocks of fish such as salmon, cod, herring and capelin. The Arctic even contains some of the world's largest cold water coral reefs. On land, reindeer, musk ox, moose, wolf, grizzly bear, arctic hare, wolverines, and lemming roam across tundra and taiga landscapes that also provide breeding grounds for millions of migratory birds each year. The Arctic is home to some 60 different ethnic groups, including 500,000 indigenous people.
But the Arctic is under threat: from climate change, oil and gas development, shipping, over-fishing and toxic pollution.
Issues
Climate change
The impact of climate change in the Arctic is dramatic. Arctic average temperature has risen at almost twice the rate of the rest of the world in the past few decades. Glaciers, sea ice and permafrost are melting, fish stocks, wildlife and vegetation are moving north, while new, more southern species are appearing in the Arctic for the first time. As a result the Arctic as it exists today, and some of the wildlife and people that live there, could vanish by the end of this century.
Industrial development
The Arctic contains some 25% of the world's unexploited oil and gas resources, and it is threatened by oil development and shipping. New pipelines, roads in wild areas, and oil spills can harm wildlife and interfere with the traditional lifestyles of native peoples.
Pollution
The Arctic is also a natural 'sink' for toxic chemicals, which are produced around the world and arrive in the Arctic via wind and water currents. Once there, they build up in people and wildlife, particularly marine mammals such as polar bears. Scientists have already documented negative health effects from toxics on polar bears.
Over-fishing
Fish stocks in some arctic waters are being fished to their limits, while illegal fishing in the Barents and Bering Seas is having bigger and bigger environmental and economic impacts.
WWF Solutions
Green energy
Globally, WWF works with governments globally to get them to cut emissions of greenhouse gases, promote energy saving, and support green energy sources. We also encourage businesses to use innovative technologies to reduce their contribution to global warming. In the Arctic, WWF collaborates with scientists and indigenous communities to study and publicize the impacts of climate change on arctic wildlife and people, and to find ways to help wildlife and arctic communities adapt to climate change.
Protected areas
WWF works with arctic governments and local communities to protect that are important for wildlife and native peoples. We also work to identify and help set aside the most sensitive areas that should be off-limits for industrial development and shipping.
A clean environment
Globally, WWF works with governments and businesses to get better controls on commonly used chemicals, and to ban the most dangerous substances. In the Arctic, we fund research to discover the impact of chemicals on polar bears, and we work with native peoples and scientists to raise awareness about the impacts of toxic chemicals.
Sustainable fisheries
As part of the Marine Stewardship Council, WWF works to certify sustainable fisheries around the world and help consumers choose sustainable seafood. In the Arctic, we work with fisheries organizations and governments to fight illegal fishing, and to help reduce bycatch of seabirds.
WWF in the Arctic
WWF's work in the Arctic is a team effort. Colleagues from Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States work together, across national borders, to conserve this special region of the world. WWF works on the ground in the Arctic, from Alaska to Canada, Scandinavia, and Russia's Far East, and also globally, on issues ranging from climate change to shipping.
WWF's arctic work is coordinated from Oslo, Norway, by the WWF International Arctic Programme. Samantha Smith is the Programme director, and leads a dedicated team of six professionals.
