Washington Post: Despite federally funded efforts to protect shorelines, many Inuit villages above the Arctic Circle are facing significant challenges caused by warming temperatures. Since the 1970s, the surface area of summer sea ice has shrunk by 40%. The ice loss has reduced the ability of the local villagers to successfully hunt whales and seals and store the collected meat, blubber, skin and bones. The Inuit rely on those traditional sources of food and material because imported goods are expensive: In some areas, such as Kotzebue, a gallon of milk can cost $10. As a result, many villagers have had to move, and entire villages have been forced to relocate.
For the UNESCO section chief, “striking a balance between global coherence and respect for national ownership and cultural diversity is both essential and complex.”
May 13, 2026 01:46 PM
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