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Arctic Yearbook 2015
The Arctic becomes global and more complicated, since dramatic changes, such as sea ice loss, are
projected to occur in Arctic ecosystems and influence the rest of the world with extreme weather
events and unpredictable consequences. Arctic sea ice has decreased 14% between 2010 and 2012
since the 1970s (Tilling et al. 2015). The changes in the Arctic Ocean are so profound and 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. That’s why sound adaptation strategy against
climate change in the Arctic is needed for the global community as well as for the Arctic region.
Figure 2: Sustainability Indices of Arctic Council members (US=1.00). Economy index indicates GDP per capita based
on purchasing power parity (PPP). Energy index refers to use of primary energy (kg oil equivalent per capita) before
transformation to other end-use. Emission indicates carbon dioxide emissions (metric tons per capita) stemming from
burning of fossil fuels and manufacturing. Security index and life expectancy at birth explain military expenditures (% of
GDP) and the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at time of birth were to stay
the same throughout its life, respectively (based on World Development Indicators 2011).
economy
1.5
1
life expectancy at
birth
0.5
RUS
energy
USA
CAN
0
FIN
SWE
NOR
emission
security
Climate change triggers irreversible changes. 95% of the change in the climate is caused by CO2. And
CO2 emissions come from energy use, mostly fossil fuel. The Arctic has huge potential to supply oil
and gas, although challenges to Arctic resource recovery comprise two sides of the same coin.
Balancing opportunities and obstacles is key in developing Arctic oil and gas. Although the external
cost in present value seems to be high in the case of Arctic oil drilling, the timing of Arctic oil recovery
depends on two markets: the global oil market and the carbon market.
Figure 3: CO2 Emissions (metric tons per capita) based on World Development Indicators.
Kim