The frozen regions of the Arctic have become global hotspots – not only for geopolitical reasons, such as the interests of the US, Russia or China – but also because of the growth of tourism in these extreme areas. Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago north of the Arctic Circle, is one of the most attractive destinations for travelers seeking adventures at the ends of the earth.
Home to the world's northernmost airport with regular flights, Longyearbyen, Svalbard is more accessible than you might think. However, climate change is already taking its toll. Built on permafrost (a strip of land that remains permanently frozen), the airport's runway sinks in the summer as the frozen ground thaws, jeopardizing the airport's normal operations.
Meanwhile, the local community of about 2,500 people has moved from a reliance on coal – although present in large quantities on the island – to cleaner energy. After the closure of the coal-fired power plant in 2023, Longyearbyen is now powered by an oil-fired power plant, while a new biogas plant is expected to come into operation by the end of 2025, writes A2 CNN. This will further reduce carbon emissions, helping to meet Norway's environmental goals.
Despite four months of total darkness during the winter, Svalbard has had a solar plant since 2015 that works quite well during the summer, when there is 24 hours of sunlight.
Today, tourism has replaced the mining industry as the main source of income. Visitors come to see the Northern Lights, go on dog sledding adventures, or explore the Arctic wilderness. But this requires special care: the dangers from polar bears and extreme weather conditions mean that traveling only with trained guides is recommended.
With only 500 rooms available for tourists and a clear focus on nature conservation, Svalbard is trying to balance development with protecting one of the most pristine environments on Earth. (A2 Televizion)
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