Episode 11: Arctic Part 2

Send a textIn this episode of the podcast, I have continued talking about the Arctic. This episode is a little longer than the previous episodes. I have talked on the following topics:France's Importance in the ArcticBackgroundKey issues and challenges ahead in the ArcticPrioritiesInternational Polar Years France's main scientific interests in the arctic.PermafrostEconomic opportunitiesProtecting the arctic marine environments The European Union and the arcticArctic Facts“France will do everything that it can, here in the Far North of the planet, to take action, mobilize its researchers and its businesses, to enable us to preserve this part of the world, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful.”“France will never think that the Arctic Ocean can be treated like any other ocean in terms of the level of environmental precautions. We are calling for the implementation of special, more stringent environmental safety standards in the Arctic where French operators are present.”Additional InfoSize of the Arctic: mainland and sea area located inside the Arctic Circle (66.33° north latitude): 20.946 million km²(approx. 38 times larger than metropolitan FranceSize of the Arctic Ocean: 14.2 million km²Canada and Eurasian Basins, Siberian Seas (Kara, Laptev, and East Siberian seas), the Chukchi Sea, Beaufort Sea, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, Baffin Bay, and Hudson Bay. Maximum depth of the Arctic Ocean: > 5,400 metres (Litke Deep)(approx. 60% of the area of the Arctic Ocean is less than 200 metres deep).Minimum extent of summer sea ice (11 September 2015): 4.4 million km²(4th lowest extent of sea ice in the satellite record)Maximum extent of winter sea ice (March 2015: 14.4 million km²(Sea ice extent in March 2015 was the lowest in the satellite record)Extent of permafrost (frozen ground): Approximately 24% of the land mass in the northern hemisphere and a large, poorly mapped, part of the ocean floor on the continental shelves of the Arctic seas.Follow me on Twitter for daily climate change news: https://twitter.com/realyashnegiSuggestions are always welcome: [email protected] the show