'Out of time': Scientists sound alarm ahead of White House Arctic meeting

Agroup of international experts is urging science ministers at the first White House Arctic Science Ministerial meeting to take immediate steps to mitigate drastic climate change impacts in the Arctic.

The meeting, which takes place today in Washington, D.C.,will bring together key science leaders from around the worldas well as Indigenousrepresentatives to discuss Arctic research, monitoringand data-sharing.

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In anticipation of themeeting, the Columbia Climate Center hosted aworkshop in July in partnership with the World Wildlife Fundand other NGOs, whichproduced a white papercalled'A 5 C Arctic in a 2 C World.'

Paris deal will not be enough

"We've run out of time," says Peter Schlosser, the centre'sdirectorand lead author of the paper.

Simply implementing the Paris Agreement on climate change which was hashed out in a major international conference inlate 2015will not be enough, he argues.

So far,191countries havesigned the agreementand61 haveratifiedit.ButSchlosser warns thatArctic temperatures are still likely to increaseby as much as 5 C.

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This change could have significant consequences for people, weather systems, landscape, wildlife and economies in theArctic and throughout the rest of the world.

"What happens in the Arctic doesn't stay in the Arctic," says Brad Ack, the World Wildlife Fund's senior vice president for oceans.

The paper warns that changesin the Arctic are already happening at an acceleratingrate, meaning significant loss of glaciers,ice sheets, sea ice and permafrost over the next 20 to 30 years.

What's more alarming is that these changes will continue beyond 2050, the paper notes.

"This is not just an abstract contemplation," says Schlosser.

He pointsto global sea level rise, increase in greenhouse gas levels, changes to ocean circulation and mid-latitude weather, already being observed.

Which Arctic do we want?

The study suggests that some groups are welcoming opportunities that come with the opening of waterways and melting of permafrost for shipping, oil and gas and mineral extraction.

But that's not the case across the board.

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Alaska's Vera Metcalf from the Eskimo Walrus Commission says for Indigenous communities the answer is clear.

"We want the Arctic to remain a very healthy environment with healthy people and communities," says Metcalf, adding that the impact of climate change is already being seen and felt in Alaska.

New species have appearedand migration patterns for others have changed, she says.

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Irregular weather has made hunting and travelling on sea ice unsafe and inaccessible at times, cutting off routesto traditional food supplies.

Some people have suggested that the best way to cope with these changes is to relocate communities likeMetcalf'sfrom their traditional lands.

"We are not leaving our homes," saysMetcalf."To me that's unimaginable."

A plan is needed

Without a strategy there is no way to implement effective adaptation and mitigation plans, saysSchlosser.

The group isoffering a set of recommendations calling for global action on new green energy systems.

Schlosser says a new Arctic strategy needs increased investment in research, as well asmore technical and financial support for communities struggling to adapt to climate change.

The scientists would also like to seeimproved observation systemsthat can detect environmental changes much earlier.