Magazine Highlights September 2019

THE NEW COLD WAR

By Neil Shea, photos by Louie Palu

THE MELTING ARCTIC: The drastic and immediate effects of climate change in the Arctic have led some to question if this could be the beginning of the next Cold War. A once-impenetrable polar ice cap is slowly melting, and will eventually expose oil and gas reserves and Canada’s Northwest Passage. While the borders are settled, nations and corporations are now seeking a share of trillions of dollars’ worth of minerals — including gold, diamonds and rare earth metals — petroleum, natural gas, and fish, as well as access to potentially cost-saving new shipping lanes. This feature explores the looming tensions between Russia, China and the U.S. over the Arctic.

• AVAILABLE:

-Interviews with journalist Neil Shea and photographer Louie Palu
-Detailed graphics that show new shipping routes that have emerged due to the melting ice
-Photos of Arctic militants

By Neil Shea, photos by Ronan Donovan

PREDATORS OF THE TUNDRA: Scientists are attempting to study a large population of Arctic wolves, and have uncovered drastically different behaviors in them than their relatives, southern gray wolves. Their unique behaviors, such as the formation of “super packs” and females visiting multiple den sites — some belonging to other packs — are just some fascinating behaviors scientists have unearthed about these mysterious creatures. This feature explores how wolves have evolved to survive the extreme environment of the Arctic.

• AVAILABLE:

-Interviews with author Neil Shea
-Photographs of Arctic wolves by National Geographic Explorer Ronan Donovan
-Interviews with photographer and Explorer Ronan Donovan

TUNE IN: KINGDOM OF THE WHITE WOLF premieres Sunday, Aug. 25, 8-11 p.m. EST on Nat Geo WILD.

By Craig Welch, photos by Katie Orlinsky

• MELTING PERMAFROST: Arctic permafrost is thawing much faster than expected. With this sudden change in the environment comes some odd negative side effects: several Arctic forests are collapsing into craters, and carbon gases that had been trapped in permafrost for centuries are being released into the atmosphere. This feature explores the chaos plants and animals are experiencing due to climate change and the massive risks it poses for the planet.

• AVAILABLE:

-Images of landscapes impacted from the thawing Arctic region, including villages in immediate risk of sinking
-Interview with award-winning journalist Craig Welch and award-winning photographer Katie Orlinsky
-Graphics depicting the estimated carbon content in the Arctic’s melting permafrost and the revolution of the Arctic’s landscape

By Jennifer Kingsely, photos by Esther Horvath

• THE ARCTIC OCEAN: In Greenland, researchers from around the world document the warming arctic. Their work here focuses on climate change implications in one of the most remote locations in the world: Station Nord. This feature explores the research these scientists are doing together, and the sense of community it has garnered.

• AVAILABLE:

-Images from one of the most remote locations in the world, the Station Nord
-Interviews with journalist Jennifer Kingsely and science photographer Esther Horvath

Story and photos by Acacia Johnson

THE ARCTIC OCEAN: For nearly 5,000 years, the Inuit have relied on the rich sea ice Canadian ecosystem for food and travel. As climates warm and the sea ice thins, elders can no longer predict safe travel routes, and animal migration patterns are changing in unpredictable ways. This feature explores how the Inuit have been effected by climate change, and documents the camping trips they take to pass on hunting skills and other important cultural values to future generations.

• AVAILABLE:

-Images from Inuit family camping trips
-Interviews with photojournalist Acacia Johnson