Strategies in cold environments.

Describe international agreements in the Arctic.

Can influence what happens in cold environments.

For example, a global ban on whale hunting was introduced by the whaling convention in 1986, which has increased the number of bowhead whales in the Arctic by 3% each year.

The Arctic council,1996, was established to promote cooperation and environmental protection, but also not harm the economies of indigenous peoples.

Describe national agreements in the Arctic.

These sometimes struggle due to conflicting interests.

Whilst in office, Obama banned oil exploration (some of which was taking place in 12 miles of ANWR) to maintain the ‘integrity’ of the Alaskan wilderness.

Describe the role of NGOs in affecting the arctic.

Supports interests of people who otherwise may not be heard.

The Inuit Circumpolar council (ICC) is a non profit organisation that represents indigenous people from Nunaunt and other northern regions.

Throughout the arctic circle, Inuit NGOs have frequently taken action to save the environment to protect themselves.

An NGO called ‘greenpeace’ called for global sanctuary and a ban on oil drilling.

How has climate change affected the arctic?

According to NASA scientists, temperatures in Newtok, Alaska, have risen by 4 degrees since the 1960s and can be 10 degrees warmer than normal in winter.

Traditional life for the Yup’ik people is under threat from global warming.

Permafrost in the Alaskan village of Newtok is melting, causing buildings to subside and sink.

Over the next 100 years, temperatures in the Arctic could rise by another 4-7 degrees.

How has ICT helped the development of wilderness areas?

2-way video conferencing is transforming how communities can access education and health services.

EG. In Canada, local governments have collaborated with the company Cisco to allow remote Inuit schools to be taught in real time by teachers in other schools.

The Alaska Native Knowledge Network is an online database that collects and preserves Inuit Culture.

Give an example of global technology companies relocating to cold environments.

Facebook users upload over 350 million new photos each day and 1,000 status updates per second.

Information must be backed up in the company’s data centres.

Energy is used to power the computers and cool them down with fans or AC.

Many have relocated to cooler climates to cool down the machinery