Polar ecosystems and global warming “Despite the fact that a relatively small percentage of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions originate in the Arctic, human-induced changes in Arctic climate are among the largest on earth.” Source: ACIA Overview Report. 2004. Impacts of a Warming Arctic: Arctic Climate Impact Assessment. Cambridge University Press. QUESTIONS What evidence is there that Arctic climates are currently warming? What will be the magnitude of future changes? Will these be spatially uniform? What will the ecological, social and economic impacts be? TASKS Prior to the tutorial, review the “conclusions” section of the ACIA report, plus any of the specific sections in the report that deal with your topic, and talk to the group on: Emissions scenarios and predicted changes in global temperature (TA) Current and future climate changes in each of the subregions of the Arctic (1 student per region), and Impacts of these climate changes on: a) the physical environment, (same student as above) b) biodiversity, (1 student per region) c) economic activities (1 student per region) d) society (1 student per region) What are the current uncertainties in these predictions? (TA) What opportunities may arise from these changes? (ALL) How would you disseminate these results to local people? (ALL)