Pollution and health: The invisible threat

In addition to local emissions, the release and transport of chemical contaminants and heavy metals from around the world are increasingly linked to a…

Plastic pollution: Going with the flow

Marine plastic debris and microplastics (< 5 mm) make up around 75 per cent of the litter in the world’s oceans. They are damaging…

Permafrost thaw: A sleeping giant awakes

Permafrost is ground that remains frozen for two or more years. Globally, these frozen soils hold an estimated 1,500 billion tons of carbon. This…

Ocean acidification: It’s all about CO2

The world’s oceans can absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. The more carbon dioxide that is emitted into the atmosphere, the more the…

Migratory species: Frequent travelers

Many Arctic species, including reindeer, marine mammals and many fish and birds, have adapted to the challenges of extreme weather conditions and scarce resources…

Mercury rising

While mercury is a naturally occurring element, human activity has increased concentrations in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems around the globe. Major sources of emissions…

Invasive species: Hitching a ride

Global trade and transport, both overland and via oceans, is contributing to the unintended spread of species across the globe. In other cases, species…

Cryosphere: The melting continues

Ice, snow and permafrost – the elements that form the cryosphere – are highly sensitive to heat. The cryosphere is changing rapidly due to…

Contaminants: Bad chemistry

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemical contaminants that adversely affect ecosystems, animals and humans. Most POPs are transported to the Arctic from southern latitudes…