Jon Waterman Documents Arctic Climate Crisis in 'Into the Thaw'
Jan 22, 2025
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Jon Waterman, a seasoned mountaineer and former Denali National Park ranger, shares his extensive experiences in the Arctic. He discusses how climate change has dramatically altered the landscape over four decades, including permafrost thawing and its impact on local ecosystems and indigenous communities. Waterman emphasizes the urgent need for awareness and advocacy. He also recounts a humorous bear spray incident, illustrating the delicate balance of interacting with wildlife. His insights call for a deeper connection to nature and highlight the broader implications of these changes.
Jon Waterman's transformative experiences in the Arctic highlight its rich wildlife and landscapes while underscoring alarming climate consequences observed during his visits over decades.
The dramatic thawing of permafrost in the Arctic is releasing greenhouse gases and altering ecosystems, significantly threatening both wildlife populations and Indigenous communities reliant on the land.
Deep dives
John Waterman's Transformative Arctic Journey
John Waterman's initial journey to the Arctic in 1983 profoundly impacted him, as he experienced its vast landscapes and rich wildlife firsthand. During his week-long stay at the Noatak River in Gates of the Arctic National Park, he witnessed caribou and grizzlies, which changed his perspective on nature and led to a lifelong connection with the region. Returning in 2021 with his son, Waterman noted the dramatic environmental changes that had occurred over the decades, including unexpected warm temperatures that reached nearly 90 degrees. His experiences underscore the idea that the Arctic is not only a place of personal transformation but also an indicator of broader climate changes affecting the planet.
The Thawing Permafrost and its Consequences
Permafrost thawing is a significant issue in the Arctic, releasing carbon dioxide and methane as ancient plant matter decomposes, which intensifies global warming. This thawing leads to visible changes in the landscape, such as landslides and sinkholes, which affect local ecosystems. Waterman observed that streams and rivers are experiencing alarming color changes due to minerals leaching from the thawed permafrost, indicating a previously unseen level of environmental degradation. Such transformations threaten aquatic life, drinking water sources for nearby villagers, and the delicate balance of the Arctic ecosystem.
Impact on Wildlife and Indigenous Communities
The impact of climate change on wildlife populations in the Arctic is concerning, with species like caribou experiencing drastic decreases in numbers. Historically, caribou populations fluctuated cyclically, but current trends show a consistent decline, affecting predators reliant on them, such as wolves and bears. Indigenous communities like the Inupiat have lived in the Arctic for millennia and are now facing the necessity to relocate due to rising sea levels and flooding. Their resilience and adaptability are commendable, yet they bear the brunt of climate change despite contributing the least to its causes.
A Call to Action Amid Climate Crisis
Waterman's book emphasizes the urgent need for awareness and action against the rapid climate changes affecting the Arctic. He calls for local and global communities to recognize their role in addressing climate issues and the cultural impacts created by displacement within Indigenous populations. The story of the Arctic serves as a warning for the rest of the world, as changes in this region will have far-reaching consequences. The urgency to educate, vote wisely, and adapt to these shifts is paramount as we navigate a rapidly changing environment.
Mountaineer Jon Waterman first journeyed to the High Arctic in 1983, intent on learning all he could about the strange land with grizzlies and caribou, sea fossil-filled mountains and night skies with “saffron clouds and beams of viridescence.” Waterman has returned more than 20 times since then, and in a new book he documents the environmental changes he witnessed. We talk to him about the world above the Arctic Circle and how the climate crisis is transforming it. His book is “Into the Thaw.”
Jon Waterman, author, “Into the Thaw: Witnessing Wonder Amid the Arctic Climate Crisis”; former Denali National Park ranger. His other books include National Geographic’s “Atlas of the National Parks" and "In the Shadow of Denali."