Nature and Cultural Environments in the Arctic

Challenges in the Arctic Some of the last fairly pristine areas in the World are found in the Arctic, and many cultural heritage sites in this magnificent nature tell us a fascinating story of the ability of man to survive in this cold and rough region throughout the ages. Today one of the most urgent environmental challenges in the Arctic is to ensure that activities such as exploitation of the natural resources, tourism, out-door life, and research are conducted in a sustainable manner in order to protect the pristine areas, the biodiversity, and the unique cultural environment. The Nordic Action Plan to Protect the Natural and Cultural Heritage of Arctic - Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard was adopted in 1999 to promote sustainable development in the Arctic. The intention was to protect natural and cultural environments through an overall effort, and this holistic approach may be seen as pioneering in an international context. The action plan initiated nine very diverse projects that have now been carried through. The results are described in this booklet.