Eleanor Barraclough, historian and author, shares insights on the Viking Age's adaptation to Arctic climate changes. Duncan Depledge discusses the geopolitical race for Arctic resources, highlighting interests from the US, Russia, and China. Elder Olufsen, CEO of a mining company in Greenland, weighs in on balancing exploitation with indigenous rights. The discussion intertwines past Norse settlements with today's challenges, stressing the urgency of understanding the effects of climate change on both history and modern geopolitics.
The Arctic is warming nearly three times faster than the global average, significantly impacting local ecosystems and Indigenous communities facing rapid environmental changes.
Historical narratives like that of the Vikings serve as crucial lessons on adaptation and resource scarcity, informing contemporary geopolitical interests in the Arctic region.
The heightened global interest in Arctic resources by major powers like the US, Russia, and China underscores the necessity of prioritizing local voices and Indigenous knowledge in resource management discussions.
Deep dives
Climate Change and the Arctic
The Arctic region has experienced significant warming, nearly three times faster than the global average since 1979. This accelerated change is not only diminishing sea ice but also impacting the local ecosystems and human communities that rely on these environments. Indigenous peoples, such as the Inuvialuit, report dramatic alterations in coastline due to erosion linked to climate shifts, highlighting the urgent need for broader awareness of the implications these changes carry beyond the Arctic itself. Ultimately, what happens in the Arctic is intricately tied to the overall health of the planet's climate, making it a critical area for scientific observation and policy consideration.
Historical Context of Arctic Exploration
Historical exploration of the Arctic, particularly by the Vikings, serves as a framework for understanding current geopolitical interests in the region. During periods of milder climates, such as the Middle Ages, the Vikings expanded northward, establishing settlements in Greenland amidst favorable conditions. However, as climate patterns shifted, these communities faced the harsh reality of extreme weather and resource scarcity, leading to their eventual decline by the 15th century. This historical narrative offers insight into the complexities of adaptation and survival in the Arctic, drawing parallels to contemporary challenges facing local populations.
Geopolitical Stakes in the Arctic
The Arctic has emerged as a strategic site for global powers, evidenced by military posturing and interests in critical mineral resources. Recent U.S. attention, particularly during Trump's administration, to potential acquisitions and resource exploitation highlights the competitive dynamics at play among nations, particularly Russia and China. This rush for resources, including rare earth minerals, is compounded by the historical geopolitical landscape surrounding the region, which had previously de-emphasized military presence in favor of environmental considerations. As stakeholder interests clash, local communities often find themselves sidelined in the pursuit of broader strategic ambitions.
Emerging Wildlife Changes
The changing climate is ushering in significant shifts in Arctic wildlife populations and habitats, a phenomenon referred to as 'shrubification,' where taller shrubs replace traditional grass-dominated ecosystems. Species such as the moose, beavers, and others are migrating north as their habitats adapt to warmer temperatures, introducing new ecological dynamics. Beavers, once rarely found in the Arctic, are now building dams with non-traditional materials like rocks and mud, significantly impacting local ecosystems and raising concerns among Indigenous peoples for travel routes and hunting practices. These transformations serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of wildlife and the environment, necessitating effective management strategies.
Local Voices and Future Considerations
Focusing on the local perspective reveals a resilience among Arctic communities, which possess a profound understanding of their environment and a willingness to adapt to change. Increased interest from international mining companies brings both economic potential and environmental concerns, raising questions about how these developments can coexist with traditional lifestyles and conservation efforts. It's essential for local voices to take the forefront in discussions about resource management and environmental stewardship, ensuring that Indigenous knowledge shapes the future of Arctic governance. The ongoing evolution of the region illustrates the importance of integrating scientific research with community insights to tackle the complex challenges ahead.
For the Arctic, 2024 was the second-warmest year on record, with temperatures rising much faster than the global rate. The region's resources- oil, gas, iron ore, uranium, even diamonds and the rare earth metals used in electric cars- suddenly seem accessible. That's caught the attention of China, Russia and the US, with President Trump, eager to mount a hostile takeover bid for Greenland.
In the first of a new series of Rare Earth, physicist Helen Czerski and environment journalist, Tom Heap consider the impact of this sudden global interest on the people, wildlife and landscape of the far north.
It's not the first time that climate change has determined the fate of the region. For 500 years the Vikings occupied Greenland, using it as a base for their discovery of North America. By the late 14th century temperatures were falling, their crops failing and supply ships from Scandinavia struggling to make it through the expanding icepack. Communications faltered and then stopped completely. Historian, Eleanor Barraclough joins Tom and Helen to explore the fate of the last Norse Greenlanders- one of the great mediaeval mysteries and a warning of the power of a changing climate.
They're also joined by Duncan Depledge from Loughborough University and the Royal United Services Institute who fills them in on the military and political backdrop to the Arctic Goldrush. In 2007 Russian explorer, Artur Chilingarov led a submarine expedition to the North Pole where he planted a Russian flag on the seabed. It was a blatant land grab by the Putin regime and a warning of Russian expansionism to come. The other Arctic nations are responding, with Denmark ploughing cash into the defence of Greenland as the United States and China stake their own claims to the riches of the frozen north that isn't quite as frozen as it was.
The impact of climate change on the region's wildlife is so often encapsulated by the image of a polar bear on an ice floe, but ecologist Helen Wheeler of Anglia Ruskin University is more interested in the northward march of the beaver. These landscape engineers are actually moving ahead of the treeline, using rocks and mud to dam the rivers of the far north. The dams are blocking travel routes of Inuit hunters and fishers and may even be helping to raise the temperature of Arctic lakes.
Producer: Alasdair Cross
Assistant Producer: Toby Field
Rare Earth is produced in association with the Open University
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
