Why Arctic Routes?
The Arctic is changing rapidly. Warming at four times the global average, the region is losing its sea ice, freshwater ice, snow, and permafrost at unprecedented rates. These transformations are not distant problems; they are already impacting the lives of Indigenous communities, disrupting ecosystems, and creating new, unpredictable hazards.
One of the most immediate and tangible effects is on mobility. Ice roads, snowmobile routes, and safe access to hunting and cultural sites are becoming unreliable and dangerous. Marine mobility is also compromised by increasingly mobile and thinner sea ice during the summer months. The people who live in the Arctic are facing the consequences daily, from food insecurity to fatal accidents.
The Problem
Communities across the circumpolar Arctic rely on the cryosphere for transportation, food access, cultural practices, and economic activity. But the ice is no longer dependable. Thinner, weaker ice, especially white ice, can appear thick enough to support travel, but has a fraction of the load-bearing capacity of black ice.
- Indigenous communities in northern Canada and Alaska have some of the highest per capita drowning rates in the world due to unsafe ice conditions.
- Seasonal transitions ("shoulder seasons") are becoming longer and more unpredictable.
- Current climate tools and ice forecasts are too generalized and not designed for local, real-time decision-making.
Our Mission
Arctic Routes is a transdisciplinary research initiative co-developed with Indigenous partners to respond to these urgent challenges. We aim to:
- Map and forecast safe cryospheric conditions across inland and coastal Arctic regions.
- Develop a real-time dashboard that provides communities with locally relevant snow and ice safety information.
- Co-create knowledge using both Indigenous and Western science to empower communities.
- Support food security, transportation safety, and mental wellness through improved decision-making tools.
Why This Work Matters
This project is grounded in the needs, voices, and priorities of the communities most affected. Our team is motivated by:
- A desire to prevent further loss of life and cultural disconnection.
- The need to provide actionable, community-relevant data in real-time.
- The opportunity to blend traditional knowledge with modern technology to build a safer future.
- A commitment to climate justice and Indigenous self-determination.
“We’re not just studying the Arctic, we’re working with Arctic communities to build resilience, preserve knowledge, and protect lives.”
Our Impact
By the end of this project, we hope to:
- Reduce the number of drownings and accidents due to hazardous ice.
- Provide communities with better tools for mobility planning.
- Strengthen food security and health outcomes in remote Arctic regions.
- Influence policy through evidence-based, community-informed research.
Together, we are working to transform Arctic mobility from a growing risk into a pathway for resilience.
Thank you to our Sponsors and Partners of Arctic Routes
