Why monitor the Arctic Ocean? Services to society from a sustained ocean observing system
This document addresses the increasing vulnerability in the Arctic Ocean, the growing stress of climate change for environment and peoples, and the further pressures created by industrial infrastructure and shipping, as well as the risks threatening them such as extreme weather events and mobile free-floating ice. It points out to the lack of knowledge that thwarts efforts to detect, predict or manage the interrelated physical, biological and social impacts of climate change, making sustainable development almost impossible; and calls for a coordinated observing system to be created for the Arctic Ocean and its coasts, in order to provide baseline data and ensure sustained monitoring.