Arctic Thaw : Climate Change and the Global Race for Energy Resources

by Stephanie Sammartino McPherson

As the Arctic experiences increasingly drastic ice melt, a treasure trove of previously inaccessible resourcesespecially oil and natural gasare exposed. From oil tankers to military bases, the Arctic has never before hosted so many warring interests . . . and the stakes have never been so high.

Genres: Nonfiction

64 pages, Library Binding

First published August 1, 2014

About the author

Stephanie Sammartino McPherson wrote her first children's story in college. She enjoyed the process so much that she's never stopped writing. A former teacher and freelance newspaper writer, she has written twenty-eight books and numerous magazine stories. She especially enjoys writing about science and the human interest stories behind major discoveries.

Stephanie and her husband, Richard, live in Virginia but also call California home. They are the parents of two grown children.

Reviews

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was very interesting, giving myself new knowledge of the arctic, who owns it, and what resources are there. I never actually knew much about the arctic because on spread out maps of the world, there is not a clear image of the arctic. If you want to learn all about the quickly melting land, read this short yet enjoyable book.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and good information! I found it really interesting since I don't know much about the Arctic. The author presents some of the current political/legal issues and the positives and negatives of Arctic oil drilling and excavation of rare earth metals. One negative effect that people might not be aware of is the potential disruption and confusion of fish and sea mammals by seismic surveys conducted before oil rigs are even built. Anything that effects the sea life, particularly whales, which indigenous people still hunt, can have an effect on not just the indigenous people but the entire ecosystem. There is a lot to consider!

This is a great introduction to the subject for anyone interested in climate change, energy resources, and the Arctic, in general. It was published in 2015 so it is still fairly current. After reading this book, I intend to read more on these topics.

[Carol Surges · Rating 5 out of 5]

The realities of climate change are becoming ever more apparent even to the skeptics around the world but nowhere more than in the Arctic where the last decades have brought changes that were unimaginable barely a lifetime ago. In spite of that, most people have little awareness of what’s happening at the North Pole. Meanwhile the region’s native peoples and animals are living the effects, finding their lives and livelihoods crumbling like the glaciers. Arctic Thaw goes a long way to fill the information gap. The importance of the Arctic is explained along with the race to quickly stake claims to the newly uncovered and accessible wealth of energy resources buried there. Naturally, the countries that line the Arctic Circle are asserting their sovereignty but countries as far away as India and China are showing an interest as well. All this and more is succinctly and clearly described in an unsensationalized and balanced accounting of the politics, posturing and plotting going on around the world to gain access to the Arctic’s untold riches. Difficult decisions need to be made on how to tap the area’s energy supplies while protecting the delicate habitats and maintaining the status of the native inhabitants. The handsome, ice blue color scheme includes well chosen photographs, relevant sidebars, multiple maps charting maritime areas and trade routes, source notes and additional resources. This title offers an excellent introduction to the many issues related to exploiting this fresh energy source in a fragile environment.

[Kirsten Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arctic Thaw discusses many of the political and ecological issues that surround the North Pole and the Arctic Ocean. The author describes how rising global temperatures have caused the polar ice cap to melt considerably. In addition, interest from nations surrounding the Arctic circle (Canada, Russia, Denmark, and the U.S.), as well as from faraway countries like China and multinational companies like Chevron and Shell, has been growing. These countries hope to stake a claim on the Arctic region so that they can control its potential goldmine natural resources, specifically oil. While McPherson does touch on the effects on the wildlife and ecosystem of this region, she mainly focuses her attention on how the Arctic thaw affects trade routes and the native Inuit people.

I was surprised to find this book to be so interesting. Previous to reading Arctic Thaw, I really had very little interest in the topic of Arctic thaw and knew nothing about the political maneuvering going on in that region. It was interesting to consider the situation from other perspectives. Nevertheless, our climate change materials in our collection are probably the least-touched section of the library, so I doubt that many teens could be convinced to pick this one up. It's just not a topic that gets middle and high school students excited.

Ages 12 and up

[Belann · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is really enjoyable to read young adult books on important topics. You are able to get a good overview of the topic without being bogged down in too many details. The Arctic Thaw was a good example of this kind of informative reading. In this time of climate change with the resultant arctic thaw, countries are clamoring to be first to explore the possibilities for oil and natural gas deposits in this region. In 2007 Russia put a flag on the ocean floor beneath the ice at the North Pole, causing an uproar among nations. Some feel it should be accessible to all, other countries in closer proximity feel they should have a greater stake in the possible economic success of the region, but who will be looking out for the people or animals of the region and the impact such a development and possible disasters from the development will have on them? The author balances all of these views with pictures and maps of the region. Truly informative.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you think about the Arctic you probably see an icy expanse with polar bears hunting seals and the occasional ice breaking ship making its way through the treacherous waters. In reality the Arctic ice is melting with little hope of renewal to previous levels. This is opening up the Arctic to all kinds of things from ship traffic to oil wells. Nations around the north pole are trying to stake their claim on these new areas and resources and environmentalists and native peoples are concerned for the Arctic way of life. Arctic Thaw does a fabulous job of explaining what is happening in the Arctic and providing information on what may happen in the future. It is a well-balanced look at an area that has seen little exploration or development.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.

[Lin Lin]

Climate change and global warming are no longer debatable, they are realities. The impact of such environmental changes on the increasing demand for energy poses threats as well as opportunities for human survival and development. Should we ignore our carbon footprint? Should we pretend that we are doing well until we hit the irreversible point, the point of destruction of the earth? Hard to imagine, but individual decision always matters.

[Becket · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each chapter begins with an action-oriented narrative, which means that Arctic Thaw does a better job than most climate change-related nonfiction to actually engage teen readers.

[Pamela Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great info about confusions over the Artic and the ice and who is in control there. Poor polar bears! Real issue is money and mining for oil. phew!

[Cynthia Shutts · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Christian G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the book Arctic Thaw, it takes place around the arctic ocean and the north pole. it talks about many topics. For example, it talks about how harvesting the Arctic’s energy will cost the world more than just money. It is causing the release of carbon dioxides into the air causing greenhouse gases to hold heat. Therefore, causing global warming. It also talks about how glacial ice is melting, therefore; retreating causing there to be more water. Also, different countries are trying to find different strategies to gain control over the Artic. Even though, The Artic is considered a gold mine there are many dangers in trying to take it out. For example, drilling out the oil can cause many horrible effects on the earth and in our lives. I really like the style of this book. The style of the Arctic Thaw is cool because it has many different beautiful illustrations that let you see exactly what the book is talking about.