Imagine a vast frozen wilderness three times the size of Texas, silently regulating Earth’s temperature. This is the Central Arctic Ocean (CAO), one of our planet’s most crucial yet vulnerable ecosystems. Right now, it’s sending us an SOS.
The Central Arctic Ocean (CAO) is a critical 3-million-square-kilometer ecosystem in international waters, bordered by the exclusive economic zones of six countries. This unique marine environment, currently experiencing unprecedented sea ice retreat, serves as an essential habitat for rare species and plays a crucial role in global climate regulation.
Global Choices is proposing a 10-year moratorium to protect the CAO from harmful commercial activities before they can cause irreversible damage.
Want to know how we’ll protect the Arctic? Dive in below ↓
Why Should You Care About Arctic Ice?
Picture the Arctic as Earth’s built-in air conditioning system. As unprecedented sea ice retreat continues, we’re not just losing ice – we’re potentially unleashing a chain reaction that could reshape our world. This isn’t just about polar bears; it’s about preventing a climate domino effect that could impact everything from your local weather to global food security.
The proposed Moratorium for the Central Arctic Ocean and Ice Shield (CAOIS) is grounded in Indigenous wisdom and scientific understanding of interconnected ecosystems. It serves as a proactive, precautionary measure to protect this critical environment.
A Bold Solution: The 10-Year Moratorium
We can’t plant ice, but we can protect what remains. That’s why Global Choices has proposed a groundbreaking 10-year moratorium to shield the Central Arctic Ocean from harmful commercial exploitation. Think of it as pressing the pause button – giving us precious time to understand and preserve this critical ecosystem before it’s too late.
What Would This Moratorium Actually Do?
The plan takes a strong stance against destructive activities that threaten the Arctic’s delicate balance such as:
- Deep-sea mining
- Oil and gas exploitation
- Seismic blasting
- Radioactive waste dumping
- Nuclear weapons testing
- Commercial transpolar shipping
Our 6-Point Action Strategy: Making Protection Possible
1. Building Legal Foundations
Our Arctic Legal Defense Fund is building the foundational legal architecture for Arctic protection. Through collaboration with international attorneys, emerging legal scholars, and experts from institutions including Cambridge and Singapore Universities, we’re developing comprehensive legal pathways for lasting protection.
Through a consultative process involving NGOs, high-level advocacy and expert bilateral meetings, endorsement documents have been drafted for States, corporations, international NGOs, Indigenous First Nations and scientific institutes to sign and declare their support.
2. Advancing High-Level Advocacy
Our leadership team is actively engaging with key decision-makers at the United Nations and national governments worldwide. Through strategic diplomatic initiatives and policy discussions, we’re building the necessary coalition to secure the Arctic’s future as Earth’s vital temperature regulator.
3. Quantifying Global Impact
The economic implications are significant: Arctic-related climate impacts resulted in estimated losses of $250-300 billion in 2023 alone. Our comprehensive assessment examines three critical dimensions:
- Economic Capital: Analyzing impacts on financial systems, infrastructure resilience, and global trade
- Natural Capital: Evaluating biodiversity preservation, ocean health, and food security
- Social Capital: Addressing implications for Indigenous communities, cultural heritage, and global stability
4. Bridging Science and Understanding
We’re dedicated to translating complex Earth Systems science into clear, strategic insights. Our approach emphasizes the interconnected nature of global climate systems and the Arctic’s pivotal role in maintaining planetary balance. These systems are profoundly interconnected. When one falters, it effects all the others.
Our research and additional materials are publicly available on Global Choices’ resource library here.
5. Developing Next-Generation Leadership
The Arctic Angels network unites 70 exceptional young women leaders from 40 nations, ages 13-29, who are driving Arctic protection initiatives. Through structured mentorship and specialized training, we’re cultivating informed, passionate advocates for environmental preservation.
6. Catalyzing Global Action
Our Arctic Ice Force network, spanning nine international hubs, transforms individual concern into collective impact. This coordinated initiative demonstrates that meaningful Arctic protection requires—and benefits from—diverse global participation.
The Imperative for Action
The Arctic stands at a critical juncture—not as a remote wilderness, but as an essential component of Earth’s climate stability. The proposed 10-year moratorium presents a crucial window for developing evidence-based, comprehensive solutions to this pressing environmental challenge.
We invite you to join this vital initiative. Together, we can ensure the preservation of Earth’s natural climate regulator for future generations.
