Integrated Arctic Observing System

H2020-BG9. The environment in the Arctic region is now changing significantly due to increased air and water temperature, thinning and decrease in the area of sea ice, melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet, thawing permafrost and changes in atmospheric and ocean circulation. Such changes have global and regional implications including extreme weather, sea level change, coastal erosion, natural hazards and changes in the ecosystem. Moreover, these changes impact severely on people´s living conditions in the Arctic. Exploitation of living and non-living resources, marine transportation and other human activities are expected to increase with additional impact on the vulnerable environment and communities. In order to ensure sustainable development in the Arctic it is necessary to collect more data and build up knowledge on its climate and environment.