The Arctic and Antarctic are far from being mere white deserts. In fact they are home to a rich biodiversity, with many species that are still largely unknown, and often with unique features that have enabled them to adapt and evolve in extreme conditions. The polar bear in the Arctic and the emperor penguin in Antarctica are iconic examples. But the polar ocean is also teeming with much smaller marine organisms, equally essential to global food webs, such as krill.

However, climate change and melting ice are having profound effects on these ecosystems. Disruptions in primary production, habitat loss, shifts in species distribution, weakened food chains, and changes in species’ ability to build shells or skeletons (calcification) are just a few of the cascading impacts being observed.

At the same time, increased tourism, international trade, and fishing activities—enabled by newly accessible routes created by retreating ice—are placing additional stress on these fragile environments. For instance, these human activities often bring invasive species, compounding the ecological disruption.

Indigenous communities of the Arctic are particularly vulnerable to these rapid changes. Their livelihoods and food security, which are closely tied with the environment and marine ecosystems, are therefore deeply compromised. The loss of sea ice and thawing permafrost not only endangers hunting and fishing practices but also disrupts vital travel routes and cultural exchanges, challenging the very fabric of Arctic life.