The arctic as a problem area

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Abstract
In this overview of the present socio‐economic situation in the Arctic the author specifically confines his attention to the Arctic per se using the treeline (on land) and the maximum extent of sea ice as the southern boundary. A brief review of resource potential emphasizes the low phytomass production and the vast seasonal variations in nutrient supply between summer and winter in terms of both terrestrial and marine resources. A survey of “traditional”; economic activities of the various indigenous groups in the Arctic differentiates between the pre‐European activities and the various modifications made to those activities through the impact of early adjustments to external economic influences, e.g., whaling, trapping, etc. Trends in population and settlement patterns are then examined, with particular emphasis on the recent concentration of population into settlements, which has affected almost every aspect of the Arctic. Discussion of positive and negative impacts of various development projects, e.g., mining, on the indigenous population is followed by an analysis of the related topic of environmental aspects of development projects. Fluctuations in the fortunes of the various types of exploitation of renewable resources are analyzed. And finally the widespread movement toward self‐determination among the indigenous peoples is assessed and the conclusion is reached that many of the recent land‐claims settlements are far from being as satisfactory (from the point of view of the indigenous people) as they might at first appear, and may need to be renegotiated. The concluding argument is that in view of the drastic increases in the indigenous populations the various market‐oriented branches of the economy cannot hope to provide the answers to all the problems of the Arctic and that expansion and intensification of traditional activities (possibly in association with renegotiation of land claims) will definitely be necessary in the future.