360: Arctic Thaw—Today's Canary in the Coal Mine
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Guest
Jon Waterman’s immersive explorations of wilderness and environmental issues are distilled within his 17 books, in a mission to inspire readers to protect the planet’s natural wonders.
His book Into the Thaw: Witnessing Wonder Amid the Arctic Climate Crisis is drawn from some of his life’s most profound journeys. By taking risks and tackling difficult issues, his work transcends traditional outdoor yarns and has garnered numerous awards, such as a Literary Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts.
Summary
In this episode, writer and Arctic explorer Jon Waterman shares insights from his decades-long journeys across Alaska’s Arctic wilderness. He paints a sobering picture of climate change’s accelerating impact—melting permafrost, vanishing sea ice, shifting wildlife patterns, and imperiled native villages. As the Arctic warms nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet, Jon calls it “the canary in the coal mine” and urges us to recognize the global implications—and take action.
Three Important Takeaways
The Arctic Is Warming Rapidly
The region is experiencing climate change nearly four times faster than the rest of the globe, leading to permafrost melt, disrupted ecosystems, and rising sea levels.Local Impacts Have Global Consequences
Thawing permafrost releases greenhouse gases like methane, while diminished sea ice alters ocean currents and contributes to extreme weather patterns far beyond the Arctic.Witnessing Wilderness Fuels Urgency and Hope
Despite alarming trends, Jon emphasizes the importance of experiencing nature firsthand to foster a sense of wonder, connection, and responsibility to protect it.
About Jeff
Jeff Ikler is the Director of Quetico Leadership and Career Coaching. “Quetico” (KWEH-teh-co). He works with leaders in all aspects of life to identify and overcome obstacles in their desired future. He came to the field of coaching after a 35-year career in educational publishing. Prior to his career in educational publishing, Jeff taught high school U.S. history and government.
Jeff has hosted the “Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity” podcast for 5 years. The guests and topics he explores are designed to help listeners think differently about the familiar and welcome the new as something to consider. He is also the co-host of the Cultivating Resilience – A Whole Community Approach to Alleviating Trauma in Schools, which promotes mental health and overall wellness.
Jeff co-authored Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. Shifting integrates leadership development and change mechanics in a three-part change framework to help guide school leaders and their teams toward productive change.
Show Credits
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"Getting Unstuck" theme music: Original composition of "Allegro ben ritmato e deciso" by George Gershwin. Arrangement and recording courtesy of Bruno Lecoeur.