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Climate, Climate Change and the Arctic: Environment, Infrastructure, Health and...
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Climate, Climate Change and the Arctic: Environment, Infrastructure, Health and Well-Being

A special issue of Climate (ISSN 2225-1154).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 14301

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Elena Grigorieva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Visiting Researcher, Department of Climate Geography, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10099 Berlin, Germany
Interests: climate change; bioclimate; human health; acclimatisation in extreme climates; climate for agriculture; climate; tourism and recreation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Sigríður Kristjánsdóttir

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Planning and Design, The Agricultural University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
Interests: climate changes and challenges; sustainable planning; urban mophology; arctic and circumpolar development

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nowadays, the climate is changing globally. Climate change in the Arctic has widespread implications for indigenous and non-indigenous people, causing direct and indirect consequences for economic development and livelihoods as well as having significant health implications. Climate change is not only making the northern regions rainier, warmer and cloudier than before; it also increases the variability and likelihood of extreme weather events, including both heat waves and cold spells, which can seriously affect the hunting and fishing activities of the indigenous population.

Currently, the pressures imposed by environmental disasters related to climate change have been exacerbated by challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategic support is needed for the vulnerable Arctic and Subarctic indigenous population, especially senior (elderly) individuals, who need extensive healthcare in a rapidly changing political and economic global environment.

In this context, adaptation strategies within urban planning are of paramount importance and have become critical areas of examination. The Nordic countries have experienced warmer winters, stronger storms and greater precipitation, as the sea-level rises. The management of and planning for larger quantities of water, as well as adaptation of our territorial structures to climate changes require immediate attention. In the last hundred years, the sea level has risen by twenty centimeters and it is expected to rise even more over the next hundred years. This could cause a general change in coastlines. Assuming that those forecasts are exceeded, which has been taking place in recent times, this could imply a 60–70 centimeter increase on a regular basis.

In this Special Issue, we are pleased to invite researchers to join us in a debate of the crucial issues of climate and climate change in the Arctic, looking at their consequences for the environment, infrastructures, health and well-being.

This special issue aims to discuss 1) different aspects of human health and the effects of climate change, including extreme weather events, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic situation, on human health and well-being; and 2) mitigation and different future urban design scenarios to cope with the consequences of climate change. We welcome contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following aspects. Of special interest is the definition of extreme weather events, their spatial and temporal changes in the Arctic environments. What structures and solutions can be considered sustainable and what structures should be abandoned in the future? Different scenarios of future design with natural elements and built elements can be put forward as examples of future solutions in urban planning and design. Moreover, in the context of new challenges for healthcare professionals and families, front-line healthcare experiences and associated values can best inform the strategic directions to support more relevant programs and services for families living in the Arctic and Subarctic communities.

Dr. Elena Grigorieva
Dr. Sigríður Kristjánsdóttir
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Climate is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • climate
  • climate change
  • arctic
  • environment
  • human health and well-being
  • infrastructure
  • planning

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 2417 KiB  
Article
Indigenous Subsistence Practices of the Sakha Horse Herders under Changing Climate in the Arctic
by Lena Popova
Climate 2024, 12(9), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090134 - 3 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1120
Abstract
This article provides, firstly, an overview of Arctic traditional horse herding as one of the Indigenous subsistence practices of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). It discusses the origins, characteristics, and spiritual and material importance of Sakha horses and horse herding practices to inform [...] Read more.
This article provides, firstly, an overview of Arctic traditional horse herding as one of the Indigenous subsistence practices of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). It discusses the origins, characteristics, and spiritual and material importance of Sakha horses and horse herding practices to inform the overall understanding of this traditional subsistence activity, which remains largely unexplored. Secondly, by conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews with Indigenous Sakha horse herders, this study explores the ways in which Indigenous subsistence practices are evolving and reacting to the climate and environmental changes. Results show that climate change is altering the local ecosystem and introducing new challenges to communities in Central Yakutia. Local herders describe climate change as a complex interplay of diverse transformations rather than a singular phenomenon. While historical adaptation strategies relied on the flexibility of traditional practices, today, this flexibility is often hindered by non-climatic factors. This article further discusses adaptability of Indigenous practices to climate change and offers recommendations for their development, particularly traditional horse herding. Future research related to climate change and Arctic Indigenous communities should encompass deeper and broader aspects, covering historical, cultural, social, and economic contexts and the worldviews of Indigenous peoples, distinct from Western perspectives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate, Climate Change and the Arctic: Environment, Infrastructure, Health and Well-Being)
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9 pages, 1919 KiB  
Communication
Emergence of Arctic Extremes
by James E. Overland
Climate 2024, 12(8), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12080109 - 27 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1453
Abstract
Recent increases in extreme events, especially those near and beyond previous records, are a new index for Arctic and global climate change. They vary by type, location, and season. These record-shattering events often have no known historical analogues and suggest that other climate [...] Read more.
Recent increases in extreme events, especially those near and beyond previous records, are a new index for Arctic and global climate change. They vary by type, location, and season. These record-shattering events often have no known historical analogues and suggest that other climate surprises are in store. Twenty-six unprecedented events from 2022, 2023, and early 2024 include record summer temperatures/heatwaves, storms, major Canadian wildfires, early continental snow melt, Greenland melt, sea temperatures of 5–7 °C above normal, drought in Iceland, and low northern Alaskan salmon runs. Collectively, such diverse extremes form a consilience, the principle that evidence from independent, unrelated sources converge as a strong indicator of ongoing Arctic change. These new behaviors represent emergent phenomenon. Emergence occurs when multiple processes interact to produce new properties, such as the interaction of Arctic amplification with the normal range of major weather events. Examples are typhon Merbok that resulted in extensive coastal erosion in the Bering Sea, Greenland melt, and record temperatures and melt in Svalbard. The Arctic can now be considered to be in a different state to before fifteen years ago. Communities must adapt for such intermittent events to avoid worst-case scenarios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate, Climate Change and the Arctic: Environment, Infrastructure, Health and Well-Being)
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17 pages, 2627 KiB  
Article
Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Seasonal Sea Ice Extent of Hudson Strait, Canada, 1971–2018
by Slawomir Kowal, William A. Gough and Kenneth Butler
Climate 2024, 12(7), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12070103 - 15 Jul 2024
Viewed by 971
Abstract
The temporal and spatial variation in seasonal sea ice in Hudson Strait is examined using time series and spatial clustering analyses. For the period from 1971 to 2018, a time series of sea ice breakup and freeze-up dates and ice-free season length at [...] Read more.
The temporal and spatial variation in seasonal sea ice in Hudson Strait is examined using time series and spatial clustering analyses. For the period from 1971 to 2018, a time series of sea ice breakup and freeze-up dates and ice-free season length at twenty-four grid points were generated from sea ice charts derived from satellite and other data. These data were analyzed temporally and spatially. The temporal analyses indicated an unambiguous response to a warming climate with statistically significant earlier breakup dates, later freeze-up dates, and longer ice-free seasons, that were statistically linked to coincident regional surface air temperatures. The rate of change in freeze-up dates and ice-free season length was particularly strong in the early 2000s and less so in the 2010s. There was evidence that breakup date behaviour was not only coincident with regional temperatures but likely with temperature and ice conditions of the previous year. Later freeze-up dates were directly linked to earlier breakup dates using detrended time series. Spatial clustering analysis on the Hudson Strait gridded sea ice data revealed distinctive signatures for Ungava Bay, Frobisher Bay, and for grid points close to the shore and a clear linkage to the underlying circulation of Hudson Strait. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate, Climate Change and the Arctic: Environment, Infrastructure, Health and Well-Being)
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18 pages, 3886 KiB  
Article
Extremely Cold Climate and Social Vulnerability in Alaska: Problems and Prospects
by Elena A. Grigorieva, John E. Walsh and Vladimir A. Alexeev
Climate 2024, 12(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12020020 - 2 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3399
Abstract
Cold exposure remains a significant public health concern, particularly in the Arctic regions prone to extremely cold weather. While the physical health impacts of cold exposure are well documented, understanding the social vulnerability aspects is crucial for effective mitigation and policy development. This [...] Read more.
Cold exposure remains a significant public health concern, particularly in the Arctic regions prone to extremely cold weather. While the physical health impacts of cold exposure are well documented, understanding the social vulnerability aspects is crucial for effective mitigation and policy development. This study investigates the multifaceted dimensions of social vulnerability in the face of cold temperatures across various communities in Alaska. Alaska, renowned for its extreme cold temperatures and harsh environmental conditions, poses unique challenges to its residents, particularly in the context of social vulnerability. Drawing on a combination of quantitative data analysis and qualitative insights, we examine the factors contributing to social vulnerability, including demographic, economic, geographic, and infrastructural elements, in terms of the Extremely Cold Social Vulnerability Index, for seven Public Health Regions in Alaska. The Universal Thermal Climate Index in two very cold categories (<−27 °C) was used to identify cold exposure. Factors such as income, housing quality, health status, and resilience of the population play crucial roles in determining an individual or community’s sensitivity to, and ability to cope with, cold temperatures. Our analysis reveals that social vulnerability in Alaska is not uniform but varies significantly among regions. The research findings highlight the importance of considering factors of both sensitivity and adaptivity in understanding and addressing social vulnerability, thereby informing the development of targeted strategies and policies to enhance the resilience of Alaskan communities. As cold temperatures are projected to continue to challenge the region, addressing social vulnerability is essential for ensuring the well-being and safety of Alaska’s diverse populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate, Climate Change and the Arctic: Environment, Infrastructure, Health and Well-Being)
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15 pages, 772 KiB  
Article
Under the Surface: Climatic and Societal Challenges in Marine Spatial Planning in the Westfjords of Iceland
by Maria Wilke and Sigríður Kristjánsdóttir
Climate 2023, 11(8), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli11080172 - 17 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2172
Abstract
As the global climate is changing dramatically, the Westfjords of Iceland are facing a multitude of challenges, including changing weather patterns, sea level rise, and invasive species. In order to cope with the recent climatic changes—many of which present great uncertainties to livelihoods—strategies [...] Read more.
As the global climate is changing dramatically, the Westfjords of Iceland are facing a multitude of challenges, including changing weather patterns, sea level rise, and invasive species. In order to cope with the recent climatic changes—many of which present great uncertainties to livelihoods—strategies must be developed to plan and adapt for the future. Iceland has recently launched marine spatial planning (MSP) endeavours, and one of the first planning processes has been conducted in the Westfjords. MSP presents opportunities for authorities, stakeholders, and the public to come together to forge a sustainable path ahead for marine areas that are under increasing pressure from human activities. However, MSP comes with its own considerable challenges as it attempts to engage stakeholders and the general public in decisions about an ‘invisible’ space largely beneath the surface of the sea. In this paper, the uncertainties of the environmental changes will be explored in conjunction with the multitude of societal challenges to coastal and marine planning in the Westfjords to establish Iceland’s unique context for MSP and to make recommendations for its development. Data from the planning documents as well as from semi-structured interviews and a workshop conducted in the Westfjords will be analysed and discussed. The results show both an urgent environmental need to take action to adapt to ongoing climate change effects and a complex societal structure that favours those who already have power and influence over others. Our recommendations include reforming the Icelandic MSP process with a view to strengthening the public participatory channels as well as the transparency, trust, and accessibility of the process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate, Climate Change and the Arctic: Environment, Infrastructure, Health and Well-Being)
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Review

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18 pages, 3137 KiB  
Review
Sustainable Strategies to Current Conditions and Climate Change at U.S. Military Bases and Other Nations in the Arctic Region: A 20-Year Comparative Review
by Vinayak Kaushal and Amey Kashyap
Climate 2024, 12(11), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12110177 - 4 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1074
Abstract
Amidst the backdrop of growing great power competition, heightened United States presence via military bases has manifested in the Arctic. However, the then design and implementation have hampered the resilience of these bases in a region warming at nearly four times the rate [...] Read more.
Amidst the backdrop of growing great power competition, heightened United States presence via military bases has manifested in the Arctic. However, the then design and implementation have hampered the resilience of these bases in a region warming at nearly four times the rate of the rest of the globe. Two-thirds of the United States’ 79 military bases in the Arctic remain underprepared against permafrost thaw and rising sea levels despite rampant calls for sustainable strategies. Damages emanating from climate-related failures will continue to cost the U.S. billions of dollars and render crucial infrastructure unusable. The objective of this study is to present a comprehensive literature review of the extent of Arctic warming and its significance for U.S. bases, the negative implications of military infrastructure deterioration, and methods to adapt both existing and forthcoming bases to a rapidly warming atmosphere. Eighty published papers that directly or indirectly referenced U.S. military bases or climate-oriented engineering in the aforementioned contexts were identified and analyzed over a 20-year period from 2004 to 2024. The literature review concludes that warming concerns were often not taken into much account by civil engineers during initial base construction, an oversight that now jeopardizes runways, docks, and highways. Other nations that have a sizeable footprint in the Arctic Circle, such as Canada and Russia, have demonstrated progress by utilizing pile-driven substructures, thawing permafrost before construction, and ventilated crawlspaces. Alternative solutions, such as cooling permafrost via thermosiphons or refrigeration systems, employing spatially oriented foundations composed of specific materials, and preventative measures such as floodwalls and revetments, have also shown considerable promise in simulations and practice. A table illustrating a holistic literature summary of sustainable strategies to current conditions and climate change at U.S. Military Bases in the Arctic region is also developed. Modeling successful engineering concepts and incorporating existing innovations into military infrastructure should be at the forefront of the United States’ sustainable policy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate, Climate Change and the Arctic: Environment, Infrastructure, Health and Well-Being)
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9 pages, 4505 KiB  
Review
Survey on Fungi in Antarctica and High Arctic Regions, and Their Impact on Climate Change
by Masaharu Tsuji
Climate 2023, 11(9), 195; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli11090195 - 20 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2556
Abstract
The Antarctica and High Arctic regions are extreme environments, with average maximum temperatures below 0 °C for most days of the year. Interestingly, fungi inhabit these regions. This review describes the history of fungal surveys near the Syowa Station and the fungal diversity [...] Read more.
The Antarctica and High Arctic regions are extreme environments, with average maximum temperatures below 0 °C for most days of the year. Interestingly, fungi inhabit these regions. This review describes the history of fungal surveys near the Syowa Station and the fungal diversity in this region. In the High Arctic region, I summarize the changes in the fungal communities of the glacial retreat areas of Ny-Ålesund, Norway and Ellesmere Island, Canada, in response to climate change. In addition, the ability of Antarctic and Arctic fungi to secrete enzymes at sub-zero temperatures is presented. Finally, the future directions of Antarctic and Arctic fungal research are provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate, Climate Change and the Arctic: Environment, Infrastructure, Health and Well-Being)
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