Research summary
The Arctic is on the cusp of a significant transformation: climate change is causing sea ice to melt, and this is increasing ship traffic in the North as the region’s waters become more navigable. Dr. Jackie Dawson, Canada Research Chair in the Human and Policy Dimensions of Climate Change, is assessing the benefits and risks of this emerging shipping frontier.
She and her research team are focusing on improving our understanding of Arctic shipping trends. They are modelling future traffic scenarios, identifying and evaluating the risks and opportunities related to Arctic shipping, and evaluating policy and adaptation response mechanisms. They are also advancing Arctic marine policy and Indigenous co-governance.