The Arctic is experiencing a profound transformation that will have important impacts on the region and the world as a whole. Driven largely by interacting forces of climate change and increased human activities, the Arctic region is changing rapidly. Warming in the Arctic has increased at twice the global average since 1980. As the region warms, melting sea ice will allow greater human access to the region with the potential for increased maritime transport, greater exploitation of natural resources such as oil and gas, minerals, fisheries, and increased tourism. While this may provide some new economic opportunities for the region, it also presents significant challenges to a once remote area.
