The Arctic, spanning several countries, including Canada, the United States (Alaska), Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, and parts of Greenland, as well as the Arctic Ocean, is one of the regions most threatened by climate change. Since 1979, temperatures in the Arctic have been rising four times faster than the global average.

This region hosts one of the planet's most fragile ecosystems, containing many life forms uniquely adapted to extreme cold. However, human industrial activities are causing significant disturbances. An international research group, in collaboration with American researchers, studied these impacts and published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal on October 21, 2024.

Impact on Over 5% of the Arctic

Researchers used satellite data to measure artificial nighttime light in the Arctic between 1992 and 2013. Their analysis revealed that light pollution affects approximately 5.1% of the Arctic, or over 800,000 square kilometers.

The illuminated areas are primarily concentrated in the European Arctic and in oil and gas extraction sites in the United States, Russia, and Alaska. Notably, populated regions within these illuminated areas account for only 15% of the total light pollution, indicating that the majority is due to industrial activities.

Disrupting Wildlife

Light pollution has numerous negative effects on polar ecosystems and their inhabitants. Increased human activity on permafrost also has far-reaching consequences. Biodiversity suffers; for instance, artificial light can distract animals like Arctic reindeer, hindering their ability to find food or evade predators. The growth of certain plant species is also impacted by this pollution.

While industrial activities have played a significant role in modern human civilization, they come at a high cost to the environment and its living organisms. Therefore, it is essential to promote sustainable practices across industrial sectors to preserve ecosystems and their resources.