Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the Arctic

by Mia Bennett, Klaus Dodds

A vital account of the state of the Arctic today—emphasizing the twin dangers of climate change and geopolitical competition

Nowhere is the dual threat of climate change and geopolitical contest felt more strongly than in the Arctic. Sea ice is declining rapidly, wildfires are burning, and permafrost is thawing. All the while, global interest is gathering apace as the region transforms from being a frozen desert into an international waterway.

Mia Bennett and Klaus Dodds examine the state of the Arctic today, showing how the region is becoming a space of experimentation for everything from Indigenous governance to subsea technologies. Growing geopolitical competition is accompanying environmental disruption. Countries including Russia, China, and the United States are investing in the Arctic and consolidating their interests in strategic access, resource exploitation, and alliance-building.

The consequences of this emerging Arctic Anthropocene are global—from rising sea levels due to melting glaciers to tensions between great powers determined to protect their territory and resources, and the well-being of Indigenous Peoples who have fought for centuries for rights and recognition.

Genres: China, Politics, Climate Change

352 pages, Hardcover

Published October 21, 2025

Reviews

[Anatolikon · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like a solid three and a half - well informed discussion but on occasion just a firehose of facts that are probably more than even what a general reader about the contemporary Arctic wants to know. In particular, some of the material on the Arctic Council, scientific groups, and other NGOs are just too much. But strong material on the challenging realities of Arctic conflict, the difficulties for collaborative scientific work since the invasion of Ukraine, and the lives and experiences of the native peoples of the region.

(Yes, I realize that I bought a book about the Arctic and am now complaining that there's too much about the Arctic in it.)

[Justinas Mickus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that could barely feel more urgent: there are bits in it that we saw on the news mere months ago. And yet it is a book that stands of decades of scholarship and groundwork by the authors, a book that brings a comprehensive and thoughtful perspective on the Arctic: its natural dynamics, its many histories, its peoples old and new, and the conflicts that shaped it in the past and may break it in the future. A book so good it can give you a false sense of expertise — yet a book that so clearly loves the Arctic in its complexities that most of its readers — one hopes — will be inspired not to claim expertise but to dig deeper.

[Serafima Andreeva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holistic and historical perspective on Arctic geopolitics, climate, peoples and economy. Would absolutely recommend for Arctic scholars, practitioners or inhabitants. However, I would not call this an introductory book nor an easy read if somebody is completely new to the field due to the dense information, I think the book would benefit from clearer analysis even if some empirical detail would have to be sacrificed. With that said, great critique of capitalism and extractivism and authoritarianism, but despite good critique of Russia and others it would highly benefit from a stronger critical perspective on US expansionism/extractivism/imperialism as well. There are some perspectives on current Trump administration which adress these points but would be strengthened with historical nuances.

Would give this somewhere between 3.5 and 4.

Klaus and Mia have done a phenomenal job in terms of empirical data gathering. Many cases in the chapters could make into whole research papers.

[Ben W · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply informed yet accessible account from two of the Arctic's top scholars. Excellent read for anyone interested in the geopolitical, environmental, economic, and cultural fate of this region!

[Matt Heavner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic perspective and overview of Arctic history and politics. Great pan-Arctic perspective. Dense writing, but well worth it.

[Molly Driver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great critique on drill baby drill. Saw some people say it was dense… they must be stupid :/ this was very clearly explained YEY Arctic!!!!!!!!

[Julie Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was interesting - I don’t think you can read this book and come away thinking there are any simple answers. It also shows how interconnected we are even though the world is so big.