In July, rising waters of the Beaufort Sea overtook the gravel spit of Qikiqtaruk, forcing Canadian scientists to rush to save historic whaling buildings from flooding. Despite moving structures inland, experts like conservation carpenter Stephan Biedermann stress that these are only temporary fixes. The urgency of the situation reflects the increasing impacts of climate change on Arctic heritage sites, as the relentless advance of the ocean poses questions about long-term preservation strategies amid growing stress for conservation teams.
Aerial video of old single-storey whaling sheds with the sea lapping at the wooden struts supporting them. "We bought ourselves some time," says Stephan Biedermann, a conservation carpenter. But these are just short-term solutions."
The relentless march of ocean waters inland has raised thorny questions about how to preserve vulnerable elements of Qikiqtaruk's Arctic heritage. There is a stress you feel in the work, knowing there is a growing sense of urgency.
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