By Mr Nikolaj Bock European Environment Agency · 2021. 5. 25. · European Environment Agency -...

European Environment Agency

Environmental challenges in the Arctic

ByMr Nikolaj Bock



• The European Environment Agency and the Arctic

• What are the main trends & issues?• Climate change• Arctic pollution• Biodiversity

• Arctic challenges• Hydrocarbons & minerals• Shipping (incl. Tourism)• Changing living conditions

• Summary of environmental challenges

Outline


- Established by European Council Regulation (1210/90)- Operational in Copenhagen, Denmark since 1994- Annual budget 2009 of approx. 40 MEuro- Approx. 180 staff members


- EEA has 32 member countries + 6 cooperating countries in the West Balkans.

- EEA is an EU institution

- EEA is dedicated to providing sound, independent information on the environment for decision makers (EC/EP/MS) and the public.

- EEA is coordinating the European Environment Information and Observation Network (EIONET) - A network of 900 experts from 38 countries across Europe in more than 300 national organisations.

European Environment Agency32 Member countries6 Cooperating countries in Western Balkans

EEA Arctic relevance: Of the 32 EEA member countries:- 5 are member countries in the Arctic Council - 6 are permanent observes in the Arctic Council- European Commission (+EEA) has ad hoc observer status in AC


EEA & the Arctic

1997 2004

2010: State and Outlook of the Environment Report


The Arctic - AntarcticaWater surrounded by land - Land surrounded by water

Source: UNEP GRID-Arendal

http://maps.grida.no/library/files/storage/base_arctictopo_001.png

http://maps.grida.no/library/files/storage/6a_antarcticabasemap.png


Arctic human population: 4 MillionArctic penguins: 0

Antarctic human population: 0Antarctic penguins: 20 million pairs

Source: UNEP GRID-Arendal Source: British Antarctic Survey


Changes in deep water formation (thermohaline circulation) is influenced by sea ice and fresh water


Increased uptake of heat in the Arctic

As the ice cover decays, highly reflecting ice/snow is replaced by highly absorbing ocean, resulting in more solar heat absorption and more melting.






Distribution of old (thicker) and young (thinner) ice in February

Old New


Changes in Arctic September ice thickness

1958-76 average ice thickness 3.02 mFrom submarine data

1993-96 average ice thickness: 1.62 mFrom submarine data

2003-07 average ice thickness: 1.43 mFrom satellite data

Kwok & Rothrock, GRL, 2009


Climate model predictions

2015

2035

Based on work by: Polar Science Center, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington



The area of the Greenland ice sheet where there is at least one day of surface melting in the summer increased to a new record extent in 2007

Source: Steffen, K.; Nghiem, S. V.; Huff, R. and Neumann, G., 2004.


e


Transportation of pollutants into the Arctic

Air – the fast route Rivers, oceans & sea ice

Source: AMAP


PCB and DDT in Ringed seal


Highest PCB levels are found in maternal blood from communities that depend on traditional diets that include marine mammals.

PCB contamination in Arctic people


Effects of Climate Change in the Arctic:

Vegetation zones in the Arctic change Altered bird migration

http://maps.grida.no/library/files/storage/vegetation_distribution_of_the_arctic_and_sub_arctic_large.jpg


Effects of Climate Change in the Arctic:

Altered fish migration


Arctic biodiversity

• Retreating ice• Migratory patterns• Invasive species

• Changing vegetation• Pollution• Land degradation


Hydrocarbons + Minerals


Energy infrastructure on permafrost

Blue: Electrical transmission linesYellow: Pipelines Red: Bilibino nuclear power station

Source: Nature


Arctic Shipping


North West Passage

2004 20052004 2005 2006

2007 2008 2009

2006

2007


Northern Sea route2007

2008

2009


Increasing Arctic Tourism

Cruise ship arrivals in Greenland ports and harbors2003 – 2008

Year Arrivals Numberof cruiseships

Averagenumber ofarrivals/ships

Average passenger capacity/ships

2003 164 14 13 490

2004 195 24 8 468

2005 115 25 5 714

2006 157 28 6 546

2007 222 35 6 671

2008 375* 39* 10* 641*

* Estimates for 2008


Changing living conditions for the Arctic population

• Fisheries• Rein deer herding• Oil/Gas exploration• Mineral exploration• Snow/ice cover• Tourism• Infrastructure (energy/transport)


External pressures


Governance in the Arctic

• UNCLOS• Fisheries• IMO• Indigenous Peoples rights


The challenges facing the Arctic:

• Climate Change (change in snow/ice cover + permafrost)• Long range pollution (air/ocean currents)• Exploitation or damage to natural resources• Overharvesting of certain key fish stocks• Mismanagement of areas of Arctic forest and unsustainable

logging practices • Pollution from mining activities and metal ore processing plants• Impacts of infrastructure developments • Operational accidents in the oil and gas sector• Land fragmentation• Loss of biodiversity• Overall quality of surface and marine waters• Pressure from increasing tourism


Thank you for your attention!

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By Mr Nikolaj Bock European Environment Agency · 2021. 5. 25. · European Environment Agency -...

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