Arctic climate change
Observations, whether from satellites, sensors, or from people who live in the Arctic tell the same story – the Arctic climate is changing.
Overview
Climate change is faster and more severe in the Arctic than in most of the rest of the world. The Arctic is warming at a rate of almost twice the global average.Summer sea ice is disappearing
The sea ice that is a critical component of Arctic marine ecosystems is projected to disappear in the summer within a generation.Watch: the record-breaking sea ice melt of 2012:
The Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the world
Why? Shiny ice and snow reflect a high proportion of the sun's energy into space. As the Arctic loses snow and ice, bare rock and water absorb more and more of the sun’s energy, making it ever warmer. This is called the albedo effect.
A small temperature shift can have enormous implications
Even an increase of 2°C could be too much. A slight shift in temperature, bringing averages above the freezing point, will completely alter the character of the region.
- As snow and ice melt, the ability of the Arctic to reflect heat back to space is reduced, accelerating the overall rate of global warming.
- Some Arctic fisheries will likely disappear.
- We are likely to see more forest fires and storm damage to coastal communities in the Arctic.
- Glaciers, sea ice and tundra will melt, contributing to global sea level rises.
- A warmer Arctic could halt the Gulf Stream, which brings warmer water and weather to north-western Europe.
Acidic oceans threaten Arctic life
Due to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the world's oceans are 30% more acidic now than before the industrial revolution. Cold oceans, like those in the Arctic, are acidifying twice as fast as average. Acidic water interferes with the development of coral reefs and the shells of oysters, crabs, snails and plankton, just to name a few.- Learn more: Download The Circle: Arctic ocean acidification (PDF)
By the numbers
1 metre
Expected rise in sea level by 2100, due to melting ice5°C
Air temperature increase over the last 100 years.14%
Decrease in Arctic sea ice extent since the 1970s.2040
Summer sea ice likely limited to the northern coasts of Canada and Greenland2080
Arctic summer sea ice is expected to disappear completely.2100
Arctic temperatures as high as 7° C above pre-industrial levels*
Based on current international pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Copenhagen Accord.
Why it matters
Arctic change affects everyone
Climate change in the Arctic is not just a local problem - it's a global problem. The feedbacks from the Arctic are increasing global sea levels, they are predicted to change global climate and precipitation patterns, and the effects of climate change on Arctic species are likely to be felt globally.What WWF is doing
The Last Ice Area
One stretch of ice is projected to remain when all other large areas of summer ice are gone. This is the Last Ice Area. We're working with Inuit organizations, communities, and governments in Greenland and Canada to plan for the future of this region.RACER project
We're identifying and mapping the places that will be most resilient to climate change and assisting in the development and implementation of adaptation strategies for species, ecosystems, and cultures in coping with a changing climate in the Arctic.Supporting research
We fund field-based projects in the Arctic to understand the effect of climate change on people, species and landscapes.What you can do
Learn what the WWF office in your country is doing about climate change and how you can get involved:
- Canada (English, also available in French)
- Denmark (Danish)
- Finland (Finnish)
- Netherlands (Dutch)
- Norway (Norwegian)
- Russia (Russian)
- Sweden (Swedish)
- United Kingdom (English)
- United States (English)
Arctic climate change news
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Positive steps on dirty Arctic fuel at world shipping meeting, but climate discussion lacks urgency
There were mixed results from the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) meeting on shipping in London this week.
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World shipping meeting must tackle climate and toxic fuel
The meeting of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) presents the opportunity to take action against the particularly polluting fuel, at a time when shipping in Arctic waters is increasing ...
