Arctic: A Very Short Introduction

The Arctic is a demanding global attention due to its warming, melting, and thawing, which threatens fundamental state-change. This brings with it the spectre of costly disruption and interference in indigenous lives and communal welfare, as well as the prospect of a new era of great power rivalries. The physical geography of the Arctic is highly varied and variable, and environmental change brings opportunities for indigenous and non-indigenous life-forms to survive and thrive. The Arctic's four million people are not helpless pawns in a game of global geopolitics, and the region is also a resource hotspot and a place where sustainable energy systems are being introduced.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 25 November 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The Arctic region is garnering significant global attention due to its alarming rate of warming, melting, and thawing, which poses a fundamental threat to the Earth's state. This phenomenon is causing unwelcome consequences for the indigenous communities that inhabit the Arctic, disrupting their lives and well-being. Moreover, the melting of sea ice has made the Arctic more accessible and less remote, leading to potential dangers such as the emergence of new great power rivalries involving China, Russia, and the United States.

In response to these developments, submarine and long-range bomber patrols have become commonplace, and new terms like "global Arctic" are being coined to capture the dynamic nature of change. However, it is important to recognize that the reality of the Arctic is far more complex. The Arctic's physical geography is highly diverse and variable, and environmental change presents both opportunities and challenges for indigenous and non-indigenous life forms to survive and thrive.

The Arctic's four million people are not mere pawns in the global geopolitics game. Rather, they are resilient and adaptable individuals who have developed unique ways of life in this challenging environment. The Arctic is not only a resource hotspot but also a potential hub for sustainable energy systems, as evidenced by the growing interest in renewable energy projects in the region.

It is worth noting that a warming Arctic with less ice and permafrost is not a unique phenomenon in Earth's history. Throughout its long history, the Arctic has undergone significant changes due to natural factors such as climate shifts and tectonic activity. These changes have shaped the region's landscape and ecosystems, and they have influenced the lives of its inhabitants.

In this Very Short Introduction, Klaus Dodds and Jamie Woodward provide a comprehensive overview of the Arctic region, exploring its major dimensions and the linkages beyond. They examine the causes, drivers, and effects of cultural, physical, political, and economic change in the Arctic, and they ponder the future of this region. As they demonstrate, the future of the Arctic will have a profound impact on all of us, and it is essential to understand the complexities and challenges that it faces.

The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press is renowned for its concise and accessible introductions to a wide range of subjects. This book is no exception, offering a valuable entry point for anyone interested in learning more about the Arctic and its significance in shaping our world. Whether you are a student, researcher, policymaker, or simply someone who enjoys learning about the natural world, this book will provide you with a solid foundation for understanding the Arctic and its role in the global landscape.

Weight: 150g
Dimension: 111 x 175 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198819288