Speakers: Julie Brigham-Grette University of Massachusetts- Amherst Stephanie Pfirman Barnard College James White University of Colorado-Boulder
What is the Polar Research Board (PRB)? A unit of the National Research Council (the operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences): http://dels.nas.edu/prb PRB is dedicated to enhancing understanding of the Arctic and Antarctic, and providing guidance to Congress, federal agencies, and the nation on polar region issues. 2
Find the booklet and interactive at http://nas-sites.org/arctic. 3
An effort initiated by the PRB, to expand public understanding of how Arctic change have effects throughout the world s weather, climate, ecosystems, food supply, and economy illustrating why the Arctic matters to us all. Main components of the effort include (i)creation and dissemination of a booklet and website, and (ii) holding a major public symposium (early 2016). Contributes to the U.S. State Department s public outreach goals for the U.S. chairmanship of the Arctic Council: Conduct a widespread public outreach campaign to educate the U.S. public about why the Arctic matters and its strategic importance for our country; and about climate change impacts in the Arctic and how they are affecting our country. 4
What is the Arctic Council? An intergovernmental forum representing 8 member states (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States) and 6 Arctic indigenous groups. Promotes cooperation, coordination, and interaction among member states and partner communities Advances awareness and action on issues such as sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic. The United States serves as Chair of the Council for the 2015 2017 term (starting April 24 th ). http://www.arctic-council.org/ 5
How did we develop the Arctic Matters booklet? The booklet draws from a large collection of peer-reviewed National Research Council reports, and other national and international reports 6
What does the Booklet Cover? 7
Dispatches from the Front Lines of Climate Change Temperatures are rising: Temperatures are rising twice as fast in the Arctic as compared to the global average. Sea ice is melting: The area of summer sea ice coverage has declined by more than 40 percent since the late 1970s, a trend that has accelerated since 2007. 8
Dispatches from the Front Lines of Climate Change Land ice is melting: Ice is melting at a rapid pace on the land masses that encircle the Arctic Ocean. 1976 2003 Permafrost is thawing: Permafrost has declined over the past 30 years and may eventually disappear across much of the Arctic. 9
Dispatches from the Front Lines of Climate Change Arctic ecosystems are changing: Living creatures found nowhere else on Earth face mounting challenges as ice melts and temperatures change. Life is charging for the people if the Arctic: The Arctic is home to ~ 4 million people -- city dwellers, oil prospectors, hunters and herders, and indigenous groups whose ancestors have lived in the Arctic for millennia. 10
What happens in the Arctic doesn t stay in the Arctic Melting land ice causes sea level to rise. Greenland's ice sheet contains the equivalent of 7 meters (23 feet) of sea level rise. Arctic changes ripple through the oceans and atmosphere. Changes in Arctic ice/snow cover may impact weather thousands of miles away through effects on the jet stream. Changes in the Arctic could also affect the ocean s currents and circulation (in turn, a major driver for weather patterns around the world). 11
What happens in the Arctic doesn t stay in the Arctic The Arctic s living resources affect global health and well-being: 10% of the world s fish catch comes from Arctic and subarctic waters, and ~ half of the U.S. fish catch comes from subarctic waters. Changes in the Arctic marine environment could have important implications for this global food source. 12
What happens in the Arctic doesn t stay in the Arctic Feedback loops accelerate the pace of change. Albedo effects: snow and ice shrinks darker surfaces (tundra, open ocean) absorb more sunlight reflectivity (albedo) of the region decreases, causing more heat to be absorbed and temperatures to rise this causes more snow and ice to melt. Permafrost: Locked within the Arctic s ancient ice and permafrost are vast quantities of carbon. If warming temperatures release this carbon to the atmosphere, it would greatly exacerbate global climate change. 13
What happens in the Arctic doesn t stay in the Arctic Wildfires burn plant material, releasing carbon. The dark charred ground they leave behind increases warming because of the albedo effect. Severe fire can also speed the thawing of permafrost below. 14
Into the Future: Managing Change A more accessible Arctic opens opportunities and risks. Oil and mineral extraction in the Arctic The northern route: shipping and transportation Tourism at the ends of the Earth 15
Into the Future: Managing Change New challenges for communities and governments: The increasing exploration and exploitation of Arctic resources has important geopolitical and economic ramifications far beyond the Arctic Circle. New roles for Arctic residents National security in the far North 16
Resilience in the face of change People living in the Arctic, who have a long history of adapting to fluctuations in their harsh environment, are facing many new challenges but are also finding new ways to survive and thrive. 17
Find the interactive at http://nas-sites.org/arctic 18
Arctic Matters Symposium layman-friendly presentations that illustrate these arctic-global linkages open to the public / webcast early 2016 (date TBD) at the National Academy of Sciences building in DC Planning committee James W.C. White [Chair] Univ. of Colorado Brenda Ekwurzel, Union of Concerned Scientist Karen Frey, Clark University Malte Humpert, The Arctic Institute Geraldine Knatz, Univ. of Southern California Walter Meier, NASA / GSFC Stephanie Pfirman, Barnard College Henry Pollack, University of Michigan Geoff Haines-Stiles, Passport to Knowledge Louis Mead Treadwell Former Lt. Governor of AK Staff: Laurie Geller (lgeller@nas.edu) 19
Ask us Questions! Julie Brigham-Grette University of Massachusetts- Amherst Stephanie Pfirman Barnard College To download the booklet, see the interactive, order hard copies, and sign up for updates: http://nas-sites.org/arctic James White University of Colorado-Boulder