The Last Ice Area
As the climate warms, Arctic sea ice is disappearing. Almost every summer, the amount of remaining ice gets smaller. That summer ice is vitally important to a whole range of animals from tiny shrimp to vast bowhead whales, and to local people. One stretch of ice is projected to remain when all other large areas of summer ice are gone. This is the Last Ice Area.
For some animals, the disappearance of the ice might mean that they change their behaviours, but not all animals will be able to adapt. These animals will need to move, or they’ll disappear.
We must leave enough space around critical habitat areas for the animals that live there to survive the challenge of changing conditions.
Wildlife and ice
For some animals, the disappearance of the ice might mean that they change their behaviours, but not all animals will be able to adapt. These animals will need to move, or they’ll disappear.We must leave enough space around critical habitat areas for the animals that live there to survive the challenge of changing conditions.
Where is the Last Ice area?
This map shows the extent of summer sea ice projected for 2040, as viewed from the north pole. The prediction is for a fringe of ice to remain in Northeast Canada and Northern Greenland when all other large areas of summer ice are gone.
Polar Bears
Polar bears need ice to survive. The ice acts as a hunting platform for the bears, and is also vital to their prey species.
Learn more about polar bears
Learn more about polar bears
People and ice
As the ice disappears, the livelihoods, cultural values and ecosystem services northern peoples rely upon come under threat.
As sea ice declines:
We’re looking for ways to manage shipping and industrial activities in the Arctic. We understand that Northerners want economic development. We want to work with them to ensure development is sustainable.
Learn more about oil and gas in the Arctic
© Peter Ewins / WWF-Canada
As sea ice declines:
- Shores along Arctic communities are eroding, threatening entire coastal communities
- Ice trails that northern peoples have followed for centuries are no longer as predictable or safe as they have been in the past
- Arctic cultures have traditionally relied on the seasonal abundance of animals that live on and around the ice
- Weather conditions are more unpredictable
Habitat and ice
The loss of sea ice opens up larger parts of the Arctic Ocean to shipping and drilling for oil and gas. These activities are likely to add further stresses to arctic ecosystems already stressed by climate change.We’re looking for ways to manage shipping and industrial activities in the Arctic. We understand that Northerners want economic development. We want to work with them to ensure development is sustainable.
Learn more about oil and gas in the Arctic
© Peter Ewins / WWF-Canada
What is WWF doing?
The Arctic is changing. WWF is planning for a future where the Arctic will look quite different, and finding ways to manage those changes for the benefit of both animals and people.
We’re working to persuade people and governments of the urgent need for major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, so that the coming changes will remain manageable.
We're planning to work with local Indigenous people and governments to work out the most appropriate management for the area.
We're not planning to move polar bears or any other animals to the area. We think that some populations of ice dependent animals will likely move themselves to the area.
We’re working to persuade people and governments of the urgent need for major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, so that the coming changes will remain manageable.
We're planning to work with local Indigenous people and governments to work out the most appropriate management for the area.
We're not planning to move polar bears or any other animals to the area. We think that some populations of ice dependent animals will likely move themselves to the area.
Other species
Narwhals, walruses, seals and many other Arctic animals rely on sea ice.
Learn more about Arctic species
Learn more about Arctic species
The view from the North
