Arctic

Natural Environmental Swings Cause Up To Half Of Arctic Sea Ice Loss

10:42am March 14, 2017

by Christopher Joyce

Researchers say 30 percent to 50 percent of the ice loss is due to natural variation in temperature and humidity, while human-caused warming is responsible for the rest.

Walruses rest on the shores of the Chukchi Sea, the vast majority of which was designated off-limits to drilling on Tuesday.

Obama Designates Atlantic, Arctic Areas Off-Limits To Offshore Drilling

6:07pm December 20, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

"These actions, and Canada's parallel actions, protect a sensitive and unique ecosystem that is unlike any other region on earth," the White House said in a statement.

Temperatures are up and ice cover is down in the Arctic this year. Scientists say climate change is altering the region faster than other parts of the planet.

Arctic Is Warming At 'Astonishing' Rates, Researchers Say

6:39pm December 13, 2016

by Christopher Joyce

Scientists meeting in San Francisco issue their 2016 report card. "The Arctic as a whole is warming at least twice as fast as the rest of the planet," one says, and it is getting progressively worse.

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The Chukchi Sea is seen near Shishmaref, Alaska, in July 2015.

No New Federal Oil And Gas Leases In The Arctic Ocean For The Next Five Years

6:19pm November 18, 2016

by Rebecca Hersher

The Obama administration has removed Arctic locations from planned oil and gas leases for the next 5 years. Ten of the 11 approved lease areas are in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Daldykan River in Siberia has recently turned red, and the cause is not yet known.

A Siberian River Has Mysteriously Turned Blood Red

8:20pm September 08, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Alarmed Russians are sharing photos on social media of the red Daldykan River, located above the Arctic Circle. The Russian government thinks a pipeline leak from a local factory could be to blame.

The Crystal Serenity, pictured here in Seward, Alaska, is the largest cruise ship to traverse the Northwest Passage, traveling from Alaska to New York City.

In Warmer Climate, A Luxury Cruise Sets Sail Through Northwest Passage

6:38am August 27, 2016

by Rachel Waldholz

Climate change is opening up the Arctic to luxury cruises, including an Alaska-to-New York voyage. The vacation destination takes advantage of warming oceans but raises safety and ethical concerns.

Sea ice melts off the beach of Barrow, Alaska, where Operation IceBridge is based for its summer 2016 campaign.

As July's Record Heat Builds Through August, Arctic Ice Keeps Melting

6:33pm August 19, 2016

by Christopher Joyce

July 2016 was Earth's hottest month on record. And Arctic ice has shrunk this year almost as much as it did in 2012 — the most severe melt to date.

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The Arktika is the world's largest, most powerful icebreaker.

Russia Launches World's Biggest, Most Powerful Icebreaker

11:35am June 16, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The 568-foot-long Arktika is powered by two nuclear reactors and capable of breaking through ice 13 feet deep. Russia's interest in the Arctic is rising along with global temperatures.

Nuuk, Greenland's capital, hosted about 2,000 people for this year's Arctic Winter Games. It was the biggest event ever held in Greenland.

At Arctic Winter Games, Biathlons, Stick Pulls And Sledge Jumps

4:26pm March 12, 2016

by Rebecca Hersher

At the Olympics of Inuit sports, athletes from Greenland, Alaska, Canada and Russia face off in games like the finger pull and Alaskan high kick. But collaboration is more important than competition.

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Obama Plays Defense On Climate Change Ahead Of Alaska Trip

1:50pm August 30, 2015

by Domenico Montanaro

President Obama pushed back against what some see as the irony of him expanding oil exploration while talking up climate change.