On even the smallest islands, freshwater is necessary to support plants, animals, and any human inhabitants. On developed islands, natural sources of water must also support agriculture, industry, and tourism. Relatively high demand for these uses means that water supply is constrained and may become more limited as climate changes.

The area encompassed by the Arctic Circle is approximately four percent of Earth’s surface area—a little less than the continent of Africa—yet no part of the planet is untouched by this unique and rapidly changing region.

“My dad, he’s a naturalist because he’s an indigenous person. He’s his own biologist, anthropologist, he’s a scientist. He’s got his own Yup’ik degree. He tells my nephews, don’t go out tomorrow, stay home and chop wood because he can look at the weather and next day is a blizzard. He looks every year, I go out with him every year berry picking. He loves nature, that’s where we get our love of nature.”

—Margorie Hastings, Bristol Bay region, New Stuyahok Traditional Council

Decreasing ice = increasing activity