Weather

WEATHER

Text about climate…..

[image type=”rounded” src=”https://www.yr.no/stasjon/eklima/99840/graf/aar.eng.png” width=”100%” align=”center” alt=”yr.no”] [gap size=”50px”] [live-weather-station-textual device_id=’xx:00:00:00:00:01′ module_id=’xx:00:00:00:00:01′ measure_type=’loc_altitude’ element=’device_id’ format=’raw’ fx=’none’ color=’#000000′ speed=’2000′] [live-weather-station-map id=”1″] [columnize]

CLimate
Most native settlements in Canada, Greenland, the US and Russia do not want to deal with large numbers of tourists, like those visiting Svalbard and Churchill. Even if successfully developed and delivering high economic value, such a high degree of tourism would not fit into the daily lives of many in Arctic settlements. However, small-scale ecotourism, as in the settlement of Kaktovik, could be a better model for establishing new opportunities for polar-bear-viewing tourism in the Arctic.

Sustainable tourism, of which ecotourism is a part, has three main aspects. It is environmentally friendly, meaning the activities offered minimise any damage to the environment and, ideally, try to benefit the environment through protection and conservation. Sustainable tourism is also culturally sensitive, seeking to benefit and respect – not harm – social and cultural life in visited communities. Last, it is economically responsible, in that it does not simply begin and then rapidly die away because of bad business practices; it continually contributes to the economic well-being of the local community.

Ecotourism is a sector of tourism focused on nature-oriented travel and the principles of sustainability. The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people and involves interpretation and education.’ Accordingly, ecotourism does not only focus on viewing animals and conservation, but it should also have a positive impact on local communities.

Ecotourism should minimise harmful physical, social and psychological impacts, both to the animals observed and the local settlements hosting tourist activities. Small groups, short tourist seasons, and operators using local and certified guides help to implement the low-impact philosophy. All visitors should be educated during the visit to build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.

Ecotourism is only possible if the hosting local settlement has a positive attitude toward the activity. Efforts should be taken to provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts, in order to maintain good relationships. For example, a large group of tourists invading a small settlement is usually not a positive experience if it has not been arranged and agreed upon in advance. Smaller groups of tourists typically merge more easily with a host settlement. Limiting the tourist season to a few weeks, like they do in Kaktovik, can also be important for maintaining ‘normal life’ most of the year.

The best way to please a host settlement is to generate financial benefits for both the private tourist companies and local people. Transport operators, guides, hotels, restaurants and shops can benefit directly from tourist activity, whether through permanent or seasonal jobs. This can have a positive effect on individuals and families involved in the industry. However, those who are not involved in tourism may only be exposed to the negative effects and envy their neighbours earning money from the industry. Implementing tourist tax and visitor fees may be the best way to resolve such conflict.

Small-scale ecotourism should also produce direct financial benefits for conservation activities in the area. Small groups with few visitors may limit the potential for collecting money for conservation, but polar-bear-viewing trips are generally quite expensive and attract people with higher incomes than do typical mass-tourist destinations. Together, international tour companies and donations from visitors should be able to support local conservation projects or polar bear safety patrols. Tourists are usually willing to support local conservation initiatives, as long as they are invited to participate in them.

All activities in remote settlements with vulnerable ecosystems, wildlife and culture should be designed and operated with low-impact facilities and infrastructure. Arctic settlements are not good areas for irreversible construction, large hotels or activities associated with high levels of pollution. The footprint from small- scale ecotourism should be as small as possible and include visitors respecting the rights and spiritual beliefs of the indigenous people and local partners. If well-conducted, small-scale ecotourism may become important for more remote Arctic settlements in the near future.

[/columnize] [gap size=”100px”] [content_band style=”color: #000;” bg_color=”#f6f6f6″ border=”all” inner_container=”true”]

Learn more about polar bears
The information on this webpage is from Chapter 4.5 in the Polar Bears & Humans book. If you want to learn more about polar bears and conservation, order a copy of the book, and support the Polar Bears & Humans project.

[/content_band]

[responsive_text selector=”.h-resp” compression=”0.95″ min_size=”32px” max_size=”54px”][responsive_text selector=”.p-resp” compression=”2.5″ min_size=”16px” max_size=”21px”][responsive_text selector=”.x-counter > span” compression=”2.5″ min_size=”14px” max_size=”18px”][responsive_text selector=”.x-counter > .number-wrap” compression=”0.85″ min_size=”32px”]