The presence of cruise ships in Arctic waters is a relatively recent development. Climate change and the melting of Arctic sea ice has opened up marine routes traditionally inaccessible to vessels without icebreaking capabilities, a boon to the cruising industry. Nowhere is this more significant than the Northwest Passage, a travel lane north of Canada that has become more and more ice-free in recent years.

With this growth in use comes growing concerns about the environmental and social impacts of these cruises. These effects include possible oil spills, black carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels, and how cruising could change the lives of indigenous people in the area. Two possible avenues exist to fix these problems; amending existing legislation meant to combat marine pollution or create a new agreement within the Arctic Council for the same purpose. Both would help mitigate the problems associated with the growth of cruising in the Northwest Passage.

For more information on the Northwest Passage and possible solutions, watch the video below!

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