The Changing Arctic Environment
The Arctic Messenger

An accessible, engagingly written book on Arctic environmental change and cooperation by an author intimately involved in Arctic science and policy.

David P. Stone (Author)

9781107094413, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 16 February 2015

374 pages, 23 b/w illus. 3 tables
23.5 x 15.7 x 2.7 cm, 0.72 kg

'Happily, The Changing Arctic Environment uses no 'twelve cylinder words' as the late John Bayly, a well-known Canadian lawyer, referred to technical writing. This book is written for the public and opinion makers who influence the development and implementation of public policy. Chapters address radioactivity, acidification and Arctic haze, ozone depletion, persistent organic pollutants (including pesticides and insecticides), mercury, and climate change. At the end of each chapter is an often engaging summary - The Long and the Short of It - to reinforce earlier conclusions. There is an autobiographical tinge to this book, and Stone gives the nod to his many colleagues and collaborators …' Terry Fenge, Arctic Review on Law and Politics

This accessible and engagingly written book describes how national and international scientific monitoring programmes brought to light our present understanding of Arctic environmental change, and how these research results were successfully used to achieve international legal actions to lessen some of the environmental impacts. David P. Stone was intimately involved in many of these scientific and political activities. He tells a powerful story, using the metaphor of the 'Arctic Messenger' - an imaginary being warning us all of the folly of ignoring Arctic environmental change. This book will be of great interest to anyone concerned about the fate of the Arctic, including lifelong learners interested in the Arctic and the natural environment generally; students studying environmental science and policy; researchers of circumpolar studies, indigenous peoples, national and international environmental management, and environmental law; and policymakers and industry professionals looking to protect (or exploit) Arctic resources.

1. Personal beginnings
Part I. The Changing Arctic: 2. The Arctic messenger
Part II. Working Together: 3. The Arctic messenger gains a voice: the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme
Part III. What Is the Present State of Knowledge?: 4. Radioactivity
5. Heroic efforts
6. Acidification and Arctic haze
7. Stratospheric ozone depletion
8. Persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals (including mercury)
9. Conducting marine science in the Arctic
10. Climate change in the Arctic
Part IV. What Does This All Mean?: 11. Thoughts on education, the training of Arctic scientists and Arctic research
12. The long and short of it: has the Arctic message been noticed?
13. Epilogue: keeping the Rovaniemi flame alive.

Subject Areas: Social impact of environmental issues [RNT], Conservation of the environment [RNK], Environmental management [RNF], Environmentalist thought & ideology [RNA], The environment [RN], Geography [RG], Earth sciences [RB], Environment, transport & planning law [LNK]