The Arctic: Past or Prologue?

The article discusses social, ecological, and economic factors contributing to the transition of Arctic environments into unknown futures. The author argues that policies concerning the future of the Arctic region can no longer be determined in relation to short-term political and economic interests, adding that economic instability and the challenges of limiting the impacts of climate change necessitate change. Topics include the changes in the Arctic region as a result of distant human activity, the ineffectiveness of scientific data in influencing personal and policy decisions, and how the world may have to deal with when shaping the Arctic's future history.