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Arctic Meltdown

Mark C. Serreze and Mistia Zuckerman

This specialization starts with an in-depth look at the physical geography of the Arctic and its key climate features, including the ocean's floating sea ice cover, the Greenland Ice Sheet, and patterns of temperature, precipitation, snow cover and permafrost. We will then learn about the remarkable unfolding changes that are transforming the Arctic environment, how they are related to each other, and cascading impacts on terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Attention then turns to the growing economic, strategic, and geopolitical importance of the Arctic in the context of observed environmental changes in the region.

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What's inside

Three courses

Intro to the Arctic

In this course, you will learn about the Arctic as a geographic region, its peoples, and the history of Arctic settlement and exploration. You will also study key features of the Arctic environment, including its climate, weather, ocean, sea ice, lands, and the Greenland Ice Sheet, and the rapid changes being observed.

Polar Peril

This course examines the significant changes in the Arctic environment, including the shrinking sea ice cover, land ice, and permafrost, and their impacts on Arctic ecosystems. It also explores the potential future of the Arctic's climate and environment.

The North Awakens

In this course, you will learn how the changing Arctic environment is tied to its growing economic and strategic importance. After reviewing the peoples of the Arctic and how they are dealing with change, Arctic governance, economies, and national defense, attention turns to marine use of the Arctic, oil and gas exploration, mining, fisheries, and tourism. The course ends with a survey of recent Arctic events.

Learning objectives

  • M​astering arctic geography.
  • U​nderstanding the pronounced and interconnected changes unfolding in the arctic.
  • R​ecognizing intimate connections between the changing arctic, northern economies, peoples, and geopolitics.

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