On the frontlines of an effort to save Arctic ice … by drilling into the ocean

In May, researchers from the U.K. company Real Ice were wrapping up their second winter of tests near Cambridge Bay, Nvt. Their big idea? To drill holes into the Arctic ice and pump seawater to the surface to make the sea ice thicker and potentially combat the effects of global warming. 

Real Ice says their goal is to ensure that sea ice remains in the Arctic year-round, giving humanity more time to adapt to and mitigate against climate change. And residents in the largely Inuit community say thicker, longer-lasting ice could help preserve their traditions and way of life. 

We sent reporter Chloe Williams and photographer and videographer Gavin John up to Cambridge Bay to learn more, and they came back with some incredible stories and visuals — that’s why we’ve got an extra special longform video to share.

You can also learn more about this fascinating experiment by reading Chloe’s deep dives into Real Ice’s plan — and what it means to the people who depend on the ice.

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