Arctic

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The Arctic, home to the endangered polar bear, is far more than an icy landscape of glaciers; it plays a crucial role in stabilizing global climates, including the tropics. Svalbard, one of the planet's last untouched wilderness areas, lies halfway between Norway and the North Pole and has become a frontline witness to climate change. Since 1970, average annual temperatures in Svalbard have risen by over 4°C, and Arctic sea ice has decreased by nearly 30% in the last three decades—visible signs of a rapidly changing environment. Located just 1,200 kilometers from the North Pole, the small town of Ny-Ålesund stands as the world’s northernmost settlement and a global center for climate research, drawing scientists from around the world, including India, to study the accelerating ice melt.

 

Since 2008, Indian scientists have been conducting pivotal research in the Arctic through their permanent research station, *Himadri*. Here, they work to understand the intricate hydrological changes within Arctic fjords and the surrounding environment, implementing long-term monitoring programs to capture these complex processes.

I had the honor of joining the Indian Arctic team, documenting their scientific activities over the course of a month. During this time, I participated in the first sailing expedition to the higher Arctic and had the opportunity to capture the deployment and retrieval of the IndARC mooring—a critical instrument for understanding Arctic dynamics.

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