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Future Arctic: Field Notes from a World on the Edge
In one hundred years, or even fifty, the Arctic will look dramatically different than it does today. As polar ice retreats and animals and plants migrate northward, the arctic landscape is morphing into something new and very different from what it once was. While these changes may seem remote, they will have a profound impact on a host of global issues, from international politics to animal migrations. In Future Arctic, journalist and explorer Edward Struzik offers a clear-eyed look at the rapidly shifting dynamics in the Arctic region, a harbinger of changes that will reverberate throughout our entire world.
Future Arctic reveals the inside story of how politics and climate change are altering the polar world in a way that will have profound effects on economics, culture, and the environment as we know it. Struzik takes readers up mountains and cliffs, and along for the ride on snowmobiles and helicopters, sailboats and icebreakers. His travel companions, from wildlife scientists to military strategists to indigenous peoples, share diverse insights into the science, culture and geopolitical tensions of this captivating place. With their help, Struzik begins piecing together an environmental puzzle: How might the land’s most iconic species—caribou, polar bears, narwhal—survive? Where will migrating birds flock to? How will ocean currents shift? And what fundamental changes will oil and gas exploration have on economies and ecosystems? How will vast unclaimed regions of the Arctic be divided?
A unique combination of extensive on-the-ground research, compelling storytelling, and policy analysis, Future Arctic offers a new look at the changes occurring in this remote, mysterious region and their far-reaching effects.
Future Arctic reveals the inside story of how politics and climate change are altering the polar world in a way that will have profound effects on economics, culture, and the environment as we know it. Struzik takes readers up mountains and cliffs, and along for the ride on snowmobiles and helicopters, sailboats and icebreakers. His travel companions, from wildlife scientists to military strategists to indigenous peoples, share diverse insights into the science, culture and geopolitical tensions of this captivating place. With their help, Struzik begins piecing together an environmental puzzle: How might the land’s most iconic species—caribou, polar bears, narwhal—survive? Where will migrating birds flock to? How will ocean currents shift? And what fundamental changes will oil and gas exploration have on economies and ecosystems? How will vast unclaimed regions of the Arctic be divided?
A unique combination of extensive on-the-ground research, compelling storytelling, and policy analysis, Future Arctic offers a new look at the changes occurring in this remote, mysterious region and their far-reaching effects.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published February 3, 2015
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425 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 7, 2022
Bleak Future
Fracking is already going on in the Arctic. Need I say more? Not really, but I will. If they haven’t begun already, they are also planning to drill for oil.
I often feel that it is a waste of time trying to save our planet and all living things on it, because no matter how hard people try, greed takes over. Furthermore, this is not the kind of book to be reading right now when everything else in America is falling apart.
A Buddhist would just say, “Nothing is permanent, and earths are coming into existence and being destroyed all the time.” In essence, do not think about it. But I do think about it, and I do not wish to bury my head under the sand. Anyway, if I am not thinking about the wildlife in the arctic, I am thinking about the America’s political situation.
So, I just know that you all do not want to hear what is hap
Fracking is already going on in the Arctic. Need I say more? Not really, but I will. If they haven’t begun already, they are also planning to drill for oil.
I often feel that it is a waste of time trying to save our planet and all living things on it, because no matter how hard people try, greed takes over. Furthermore, this is not the kind of book to be reading right now when everything else in America is falling apart.
A Buddhist would just say, “Nothing is permanent, and earths are coming into existence and being destroyed all the time.” In essence, do not think about it. But I do think about it, and I do not wish to bury my head under the sand. Anyway, if I am not thinking about the wildlife in the arctic, I am thinking about the America’s political situation.
So, I just know that you all do not want to hear what is hap
February 28, 2025
It's an interesting alteration of perspective. We're so accustomed to looking at the planet from an equatorial vantage, yet here, at the top of the world, things take on a different edge.
Imagine the Arctic Ocean as a large lake. Around the lake are, let's say, houses. There's the Canadian house, the American house, the Danish house, the Norwegian house, and this massive Russian dacha. There are glaciers on the lake, and predatory animals, and it's been horrifyingly cold out there for so damn long that everyone's pretty much kept to themselves. Only now the glaciers are breaking up, the temperature is getting warmer, and the owners of the houses are beginning to look out the windows in the morning, pondering over their coffee cups.
I'll bet there's some oil under that water, say some, or natural gas. And if there's land beneath all that ice, odds are good some of it's mine-able. Gold, maybe. Precious metals, industrial metals; iridium, palladium, copper, ore. Others posit the profits available through establishing shipping lanes across that lake; lanes that would save them all those nautical miles going around the Americas or Africa or India to get to the other side of the world. Who owns the acreage under all that snow? Who owns the waters? These are, suddenly, quite intriguing questions from a financial perspective.
Edward Struzik writes about these things, and also a good many others. Having spent the bulk of the last thirty-five years "exploring the circumpolar Arctic by foot, ski, dog team, bush plane, helicopter, canoe, kayak, sailboat, and icebreaker," he's seen enough to know what he's talking about. He has published in several prestigious journals and is currently a fellow at Queen University in Kingston, Canada. Here is his slender and intrepid book; a book in which all he asks, all he asks, pragmatist that he is, is for the owners of those metaphorical lake houses to start picking up pens and drafting treaties. Because we're going to need them.
Several chapters are directed toward environmental concerns; the altering states of wildlife, native peoples, weather systems and, of course, climate change. What surprised me most were the migrations of southern species to the Pole, and the fact that a few of them are interbreeding. (The polar bear/grizzly hybrid is not a pretty thing.) For me, it was all very oh-my-gosh the future is here...and in such an indisputable way.
A well-written book by a man who knows his icecap. Highly recommended.
Imagine the Arctic Ocean as a large lake. Around the lake are, let's say, houses. There's the Canadian house, the American house, the Danish house, the Norwegian house, and this massive Russian dacha. There are glaciers on the lake, and predatory animals, and it's been horrifyingly cold out there for so damn long that everyone's pretty much kept to themselves. Only now the glaciers are breaking up, the temperature is getting warmer, and the owners of the houses are beginning to look out the windows in the morning, pondering over their coffee cups.
I'll bet there's some oil under that water, say some, or natural gas. And if there's land beneath all that ice, odds are good some of it's mine-able. Gold, maybe. Precious metals, industrial metals; iridium, palladium, copper, ore. Others posit the profits available through establishing shipping lanes across that lake; lanes that would save them all those nautical miles going around the Americas or Africa or India to get to the other side of the world. Who owns the acreage under all that snow? Who owns the waters? These are, suddenly, quite intriguing questions from a financial perspective.
Edward Struzik writes about these things, and also a good many others. Having spent the bulk of the last thirty-five years "exploring the circumpolar Arctic by foot, ski, dog team, bush plane, helicopter, canoe, kayak, sailboat, and icebreaker," he's seen enough to know what he's talking about. He has published in several prestigious journals and is currently a fellow at Queen University in Kingston, Canada. Here is his slender and intrepid book; a book in which all he asks, all he asks, pragmatist that he is, is for the owners of those metaphorical lake houses to start picking up pens and drafting treaties. Because we're going to need them.
Several chapters are directed toward environmental concerns; the altering states of wildlife, native peoples, weather systems and, of course, climate change. What surprised me most were the migrations of southern species to the Pole, and the fact that a few of them are interbreeding. (The polar bear/grizzly hybrid is not a pretty thing.) For me, it was all very oh-my-gosh the future is here...and in such an indisputable way.
A well-written book by a man who knows his icecap. Highly recommended.
June 11, 2021
Amazing book about the past, current and future state of the Arctic. A bit focused on Canada and the US, but that makes sense since the author is Canadian. Well researched and engagingly written.
Some of these things are tough to read, but it's the truth. This book is not as much about the consequences for nature, but more about the people and politics. Even though I am usually not really into politics, I loved the stories and the author really worded it well. It's also a pretty quick read, and left me thinking.
I definitely recommend this one to biologists, nature lovers and lovers of the Arctic!
Some of these things are tough to read, but it's the truth. This book is not as much about the consequences for nature, but more about the people and politics. Even though I am usually not really into politics, I loved the stories and the author really worded it well. It's also a pretty quick read, and left me thinking.
I definitely recommend this one to biologists, nature lovers and lovers of the Arctic!
February 27, 2017
This author is a 'journalist and explorer' according to this book but that doesn't begin to cover what is on his Linked In page. My recommendation would be to provide more background on the author so that we can see that he does indeed know his topic.
The book follows major patterns of change now visible and being studied by a wide range of Arctic scientists, from ecologists to fire scientists.
As the continent of North America warms and dries we see more wildfires; these are now spreading to the tundra and major tundra fires are expected to become frequent, by fire scientists. Permafrost is shrinking and shrubs are invading river deltas that dry up from lack of glaciers to feed them. Opportunist species such as coyotes are moving northwards, and some species will bring diseases or outcompete the threatened native Arctic wildlife. Reindeer and caribou are greatly reducing in numbers, so the indigenous people who subsist on them have no choice but to import and buy meats.
Change is not itself new or bad as the Arctic snow melt is uncovering bones of camels and beavers, and fossil redwood stands. But the precipitate rush of this change is giving species no time to adapt, and hungry nations are clamouring to seize upon land and ocean opening up to exploitation. Carefully managed extraction of fuels or minerals can provide jobs but outsiders frequently bring problems and cause environmental issues, and use industrial methods like factory ships and open-cast mining; besides which the sea level is rising.
We also get a strong look at the residues left by extraction firms, from mines to oil sands; the methods used require and contaminate immense amounts of freshwater which have to be left in holding ponds and never returned to the environment. Struzik tells us that along the Athabasca River, over one thousand trillion litres are being stored in concrete ponds up to 200 feet deep, covering about 200 square kilometres. A breach would be catastrophic.
What the Arctic Circle areas will look like into the future is being studied and conferences are held, such as the International Polar Conference in Montreal. Policy makers have to be well informed, given that Struzik expects a permanent summer seaway through the North Passage as early as 2040. Climate shift is causing many issues, and we all need to be prepared.
I can recommend this book to anyone studying ecology, the environment or geopolitics at late secondary or third level. For others who just want to inform themselves, the text is peppered with terms used by the interviewees such as boreal forest and mid-latitude marine environment, so a basis in the terminology is required to understand the contents easily (but readers can Google new words). The author was out in the field helping with fish and bird studies, so his impressions as well as the science are provided, making this a very human story and including the native dwellers' opinions.
Also recommended: Our Ice Is Vanishing by Shelley Wright; Meltdown in Tibet by Michael Buckley; The Price of Thirst by Karen Piper.
The book follows major patterns of change now visible and being studied by a wide range of Arctic scientists, from ecologists to fire scientists.
As the continent of North America warms and dries we see more wildfires; these are now spreading to the tundra and major tundra fires are expected to become frequent, by fire scientists. Permafrost is shrinking and shrubs are invading river deltas that dry up from lack of glaciers to feed them. Opportunist species such as coyotes are moving northwards, and some species will bring diseases or outcompete the threatened native Arctic wildlife. Reindeer and caribou are greatly reducing in numbers, so the indigenous people who subsist on them have no choice but to import and buy meats.
Change is not itself new or bad as the Arctic snow melt is uncovering bones of camels and beavers, and fossil redwood stands. But the precipitate rush of this change is giving species no time to adapt, and hungry nations are clamouring to seize upon land and ocean opening up to exploitation. Carefully managed extraction of fuels or minerals can provide jobs but outsiders frequently bring problems and cause environmental issues, and use industrial methods like factory ships and open-cast mining; besides which the sea level is rising.
We also get a strong look at the residues left by extraction firms, from mines to oil sands; the methods used require and contaminate immense amounts of freshwater which have to be left in holding ponds and never returned to the environment. Struzik tells us that along the Athabasca River, over one thousand trillion litres are being stored in concrete ponds up to 200 feet deep, covering about 200 square kilometres. A breach would be catastrophic.
What the Arctic Circle areas will look like into the future is being studied and conferences are held, such as the International Polar Conference in Montreal. Policy makers have to be well informed, given that Struzik expects a permanent summer seaway through the North Passage as early as 2040. Climate shift is causing many issues, and we all need to be prepared.
I can recommend this book to anyone studying ecology, the environment or geopolitics at late secondary or third level. For others who just want to inform themselves, the text is peppered with terms used by the interviewees such as boreal forest and mid-latitude marine environment, so a basis in the terminology is required to understand the contents easily (but readers can Google new words). The author was out in the field helping with fish and bird studies, so his impressions as well as the science are provided, making this a very human story and including the native dwellers' opinions.
Also recommended: Our Ice Is Vanishing by Shelley Wright; Meltdown in Tibet by Michael Buckley; The Price of Thirst by Karen Piper.
April 19, 2015
Excellent read and absolutely a must read for anyone interested in ... well the future of life on the planet. I have been watching the progress of Shell's Polar Destroyer... oops, I mean Polar Pioneer as it makes its way northward to begin drilling the Arctic and so this book was a highly relevant read at this time.
The connections between *everything* are mind boggling and brought out well in this book, not just connections in the ecosystem, but also connections between politics and potential future disputes over territory (E.g. Denmark, Canada and Russia all trying to claim the shelf under the geographic north pole, and several non-Arctic countries claiming an economic interest in the area).
I guess what got me the most about the book is despite the rhetoric we hear from the US and China, the fact is that all the Arctic Council countries are investing heavily in energy exploration in the Arctic, which confirms for me that they really have no interest in ramping down fossil fuels any time soon (I can buy that they *are* interested in renewables, but primarily as a way to give us *more* options in energy (for more energy use!!), rather than less). That's pretty clear. One thing about Canada: at least they don't lie about their intentions - Stephen Harper is very clear about his disdain for people who are worried about climate change and the environment. Perhaps it's better for us that he be honest about it rather than lie about it like leaders of other countries do.
Finally, I also noticed that the primary concern on MOST people's minds seems to be "How can we extract resources from the land and the ocean." There are a solid but small minority who are interested in saving species, saving habitat, and preserving some semblance of nature just for nature's sake. But it's clearly a minority. For example: the book provides several examples of scientists trying to re-establish species in a habitat, initially fighting local groups, but then leading to support by local groups only AFTER it's clear that burgeoning population of that species will lead to being able to hunt that species (e.g. the wood bison).
While the author clearly has an agenda to try to "save" the Arctic in terms of reducing species loss and adapting/mitigating climate change where possible, and reducing habitat destruction by inevitable resource extraction, overall the book seemed extremely fair and balanced (although, given how little I know about this topic, who am I to judge).
The connections between *everything* are mind boggling and brought out well in this book, not just connections in the ecosystem, but also connections between politics and potential future disputes over territory (E.g. Denmark, Canada and Russia all trying to claim the shelf under the geographic north pole, and several non-Arctic countries claiming an economic interest in the area).
I guess what got me the most about the book is despite the rhetoric we hear from the US and China, the fact is that all the Arctic Council countries are investing heavily in energy exploration in the Arctic, which confirms for me that they really have no interest in ramping down fossil fuels any time soon (I can buy that they *are* interested in renewables, but primarily as a way to give us *more* options in energy (for more energy use!!), rather than less). That's pretty clear. One thing about Canada: at least they don't lie about their intentions - Stephen Harper is very clear about his disdain for people who are worried about climate change and the environment. Perhaps it's better for us that he be honest about it rather than lie about it like leaders of other countries do.
Finally, I also noticed that the primary concern on MOST people's minds seems to be "How can we extract resources from the land and the ocean." There are a solid but small minority who are interested in saving species, saving habitat, and preserving some semblance of nature just for nature's sake. But it's clearly a minority. For example: the book provides several examples of scientists trying to re-establish species in a habitat, initially fighting local groups, but then leading to support by local groups only AFTER it's clear that burgeoning population of that species will lead to being able to hunt that species (e.g. the wood bison).
While the author clearly has an agenda to try to "save" the Arctic in terms of reducing species loss and adapting/mitigating climate change where possible, and reducing habitat destruction by inevitable resource extraction, overall the book seemed extremely fair and balanced (although, given how little I know about this topic, who am I to judge).
September 17, 2018
The author does a thorough job of showing how the Arctic is changing due to human activity. Using indicators such as: the frequency and intensity of storms; the sudden increase in cross-species breeding, and polar bear and caribou population drops, Struzik warns us of the profound impact we are having on what once was a pristine ecosystem.
Future Arctic is a cautionary tale, warning how government inaction combined with corporate greed and short-sightedness is inexorably altering the Arctic.
Anyone with an interest in Arctic affairs will enjoy this book.
Future Arctic is a cautionary tale, warning how government inaction combined with corporate greed and short-sightedness is inexorably altering the Arctic.
Anyone with an interest in Arctic affairs will enjoy this book.
July 31, 2018
A topic that I knew very little about before opening this book, I now consider to be very well versed. This book details biological, environmental, economical & political issues regarding the Arctic and its boundaries. A great read for anyone interested in the future of our world.
Read
March 13, 2021A well-written, thoughtful assessment of the arctic situation based on long, first-hand experience.
March 29, 2016
“Future Arctic” by Edward Struzik, excellent on its own, is also a good complementary read to a book like Kennedy Warne’s “Let Them Eat Shrimp.” Both are about “underdog” ecosystems, one cold, the other quite warm, both stressed by climate change, vulnerable to exploitation of their respective resources, and, as is sadly often the case, the people living there are marginalized by outside interests. Struzik presents a wide range of the challenges the Arctic is already facing, and what we need to be thinking about when planning for what lies ahead. Much is unknown about this part of the globe, and predicting how climate change will shape it, and the rest of the world as a result, is far from easy. However, some of the best science being conducted is helping us prepare, and when made as clear as it is in this book, there is no reason to not take seriously the knowledge and modeling that can help us prevent or minimize the effects of future disasters.
The Arctic has a fascinating biodiversity, given some natural history here. Large mammals include musk oxen and wood bison, caribou or reindeer, and the species that makes the best symbolization of the fate of the Arctic: polar bears. In the sea are narwhals, beluga and bowhead whales, though Orcas may be moving north. For fish, Pacific salmon species are also showing up where they have never been seen before, like the tropical fauna washing up on the continental U.S. west coast. Peregrine falcon chicks are freezing from the higher frequency of rainfall, and there are too many geese eating the hard-to-recover vegetation. With increases in hybridization, there is a need for genetic monitoring as ice melt and other habitat shifts bring species together after a long separation. Disease is taking a toll, and could get much worse, given the lack of immunity from similar previous isolation.
Included in the beginning of this book is a map that stands out for a few reasons. We are used to seeing the world map like a flattened orange peel. Here, the North Pole is at center, with Canada, Alaska, Russia and Scandinavia encircling. Not only is the view different, the names are – and they may remain so, but as territory “opens up,” international politics and boundaries will likely be more contested. The map is handy as a reference, since there are enormous areas that usually receive so little attention elsewhere. There are some places mentioned, though, that I couldn’t find. My point is that the map is another symbol of the future Arctic.
Lessons must be learned from mistakes made in other parts of the world, to prevent disasters like the potential for the biggest oil spill ever. Published only a year ago, this book will be an important guide for those with interests in this northern region. Already there are some significant changes, with Canada’s new Prime Minister dedicated to addressing climate change responsibly. President Obama has shared these concerns, and we can only hope that the U.S. will elect a new president who not only accepts the science but takes appropriate action. “Future Arctic” is a great primer on these truly global issues.
Note: I received this book courtesy of Island Press in exchange for an honest review. For more reviews, follow my blog at http://matt-stats.blogspot.com/
The Arctic has a fascinating biodiversity, given some natural history here. Large mammals include musk oxen and wood bison, caribou or reindeer, and the species that makes the best symbolization of the fate of the Arctic: polar bears. In the sea are narwhals, beluga and bowhead whales, though Orcas may be moving north. For fish, Pacific salmon species are also showing up where they have never been seen before, like the tropical fauna washing up on the continental U.S. west coast. Peregrine falcon chicks are freezing from the higher frequency of rainfall, and there are too many geese eating the hard-to-recover vegetation. With increases in hybridization, there is a need for genetic monitoring as ice melt and other habitat shifts bring species together after a long separation. Disease is taking a toll, and could get much worse, given the lack of immunity from similar previous isolation.
Included in the beginning of this book is a map that stands out for a few reasons. We are used to seeing the world map like a flattened orange peel. Here, the North Pole is at center, with Canada, Alaska, Russia and Scandinavia encircling. Not only is the view different, the names are – and they may remain so, but as territory “opens up,” international politics and boundaries will likely be more contested. The map is handy as a reference, since there are enormous areas that usually receive so little attention elsewhere. There are some places mentioned, though, that I couldn’t find. My point is that the map is another symbol of the future Arctic.
Lessons must be learned from mistakes made in other parts of the world, to prevent disasters like the potential for the biggest oil spill ever. Published only a year ago, this book will be an important guide for those with interests in this northern region. Already there are some significant changes, with Canada’s new Prime Minister dedicated to addressing climate change responsibly. President Obama has shared these concerns, and we can only hope that the U.S. will elect a new president who not only accepts the science but takes appropriate action. “Future Arctic” is a great primer on these truly global issues.
Note: I received this book courtesy of Island Press in exchange for an honest review. For more reviews, follow my blog at http://matt-stats.blogspot.com/
November 16, 2015
Struzik's book is a fascinating look at a world so few of us know. He describes developments in the Arctic with a harrowing clarity and his condemnation of the Harper government's inaction is damning. His passion for the place really comes through.
Struzik really emphasizes the long view. Even though he presents the horrors that climate change will wreak and is already wreaking on the flora, fauna, and people living in the region, he is emphatic in continually stressing that extinctions have happened quite often in the region, and it has changed dramatically before. It's not really a book about the "Future Arctic" since Struzik focuses on the present dangers much more than what the future will look like. It's more a book about the fact that the Arctic is changing dramatically and we will have to wait and see just by how much.
The one odd stylistic choice is the frequent repetition of similar data and phrasing between chapters. It almost feels as though the book were stitched together from various articles published at different times. But I don't think it detracts from the book's point at all, it's just a bit jarring at times.
The book is a breezy and terrifying read, but in the end it's surprisingly hopeful. The resiliency of life is a big theme, and while you're depressed at the destruction humanity has wrought, you're amazed too to watch the profound changes that the region is making to try to adapt at a breakneck speed.
Struzik really emphasizes the long view. Even though he presents the horrors that climate change will wreak and is already wreaking on the flora, fauna, and people living in the region, he is emphatic in continually stressing that extinctions have happened quite often in the region, and it has changed dramatically before. It's not really a book about the "Future Arctic" since Struzik focuses on the present dangers much more than what the future will look like. It's more a book about the fact that the Arctic is changing dramatically and we will have to wait and see just by how much.
The one odd stylistic choice is the frequent repetition of similar data and phrasing between chapters. It almost feels as though the book were stitched together from various articles published at different times. But I don't think it detracts from the book's point at all, it's just a bit jarring at times.
The book is a breezy and terrifying read, but in the end it's surprisingly hopeful. The resiliency of life is a big theme, and while you're depressed at the destruction humanity has wrought, you're amazed too to watch the profound changes that the region is making to try to adapt at a breakneck speed.
March 2, 2016
“Just the tip of the iceberg” is a painfully apropos metaphor for the state of climate change and how the Arctic and Antarctic zones of the planet serve as a sort of scrying stone for what the future may hold. While some evidence may be hard to come by for the current state of the world, what is happening in the Arctic is undeniable fact melting before our very eyes.
Edward Struzik is a hardcore explorer and journalist who has traveled across the limits of the Arctic and in Future Arctic paints a very moving picture about where it is headed. Along with plenty of research about the state of things, Struzik also provides lots of anecdotal evidence from the native peoples of the region recounting how their world has changed. The author even travels far into the past to a time when the region was warmer and how its flora and fauna fared.
Future Arctic is certainly bleak at points, but also enlightening as Struzik analyzes various possibilities about how the Arctic will appear transformed by climate change and what it means for the rest of the growingly fragile planet.
Originally written on March 18, 2015 ©Alex C. Telander.
For more reviews, check out the BookBanter site.
Edward Struzik is a hardcore explorer and journalist who has traveled across the limits of the Arctic and in Future Arctic paints a very moving picture about where it is headed. Along with plenty of research about the state of things, Struzik also provides lots of anecdotal evidence from the native peoples of the region recounting how their world has changed. The author even travels far into the past to a time when the region was warmer and how its flora and fauna fared.
Future Arctic is certainly bleak at points, but also enlightening as Struzik analyzes various possibilities about how the Arctic will appear transformed by climate change and what it means for the rest of the growingly fragile planet.
Originally written on March 18, 2015 ©Alex C. Telander.
For more reviews, check out the BookBanter site.
January 4, 2015
Full disclosure: I asked for and received a galley of this title from Island Press through NetGalley.
Struzik mixes journalism and travelogue to investigate all aspects of climate change’s effect on Arctic ecology: from plant life to the seas to native human populations. Using scientific data and observation, he also ponders what Arctic regions will look like in the near future (hence the title of the book). Unsurprisingly, most of it does not bode well for many Arctic species and environments. Longer stretches of warm weather are already changing land and sea at historic rates, opening up new areas to invasive species and human exploitation…and lots of bugs! Personally, I found this a tough read for that reason (it’s not a happy topic), but Struzik as a writer is neither an alarmist nor does he dwell solely on misery—refreshing in literature about climate change—and he sticks to his mostly objective journalist guns throughout. Some of the details and numbers were a little much for my poor humanities brain, but I would happily recommend this book to anyone interested in climate change, Artic issues, or ecology.
Struzik mixes journalism and travelogue to investigate all aspects of climate change’s effect on Arctic ecology: from plant life to the seas to native human populations. Using scientific data and observation, he also ponders what Arctic regions will look like in the near future (hence the title of the book). Unsurprisingly, most of it does not bode well for many Arctic species and environments. Longer stretches of warm weather are already changing land and sea at historic rates, opening up new areas to invasive species and human exploitation…and lots of bugs! Personally, I found this a tough read for that reason (it’s not a happy topic), but Struzik as a writer is neither an alarmist nor does he dwell solely on misery—refreshing in literature about climate change—and he sticks to his mostly objective journalist guns throughout. Some of the details and numbers were a little much for my poor humanities brain, but I would happily recommend this book to anyone interested in climate change, Artic issues, or ecology.
June 9, 2016
I have to admit, this book is hard to get through. It's definitely not my typical genre but I thought I'd give it a whirl. Struzik writes with too much detail and not enough story. It's clear he had so many amazing experiences through his travels across the Arctic but he only briefly mentions them. Some examples: he's caught in a dangerous storm in the middle of a lake, his boat starts sinking in the middle of an expedition, he meets incredible vibrant characters who live unique lives, and he encounters new people and cultures. However, he leaves these stories hanging and doesn't tie up the loose ends. Instead of using these stories to propel his book they only serve to slow things down. If he used these stories to guide his narrative rather than insert them as afterthoughts to the numbers and an obvious agenda, I think I would have liked this book more.
October 26, 2015
Canadian journalist Struzik explores the connections of the Arctic ecosystem and the changes that are happening to its climate and animal populations. He's better with the biology than the politics, since the later chapters dissolve into a blizzard of treaty names and interest books. However, this is a sobering book that points out that we are long past preventing the current wave of climate change, and now have to give serious thought about how to manage it.
September 20, 2015
The future of the Artic is in danger. The ice is melting and species of some birds, bears and other animals could go extinct if they lose their ice. This change will affect the whole world also and some towns on the seaboards will be gone, overtaken by water. But no on listens to this information or really cares except us citizens.
December 17, 2015
If you're interested in conservation or the Arctic, this is probably a great read. For general interest readers it can be dry and boring at times. I preferred the wildlife stuff to the talk about melting icecaps and politics/diplomacy, myself.
September 12, 2015
Excellent read
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews