In the Arctic, where the reliable supply of energy can mean the difference between life and death, one community is leading the way in one of the planet’s most unique renewable energy transitions.
For more than 100 years, the economy of Svalbard, Norway — a group of islands near the North Pole — has revolved around coal mining. But burning coal warms the planet, which contributes to the climate change that is now melting Svalbard’s glaciers.
The Norwegian government has now mandated Svalbard close its last coal mine within two years.
“We’re proud of the mining industry,” said Heidi Theresa Ose, CEO of the coal mining company, Store Norske. “At the same time, we’re now looking into the future and finding new ways to contribute with energy.”
CBS News traveled to the world’s northernmost and fastest-warming community of Svalbard. What scientists are learning there helps Americans understand the changes happening in the United States. As the Arctic warms, it adds to rising sea levels along our coasts and instability in the atmosphere that contributes to our extreme weather events.
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In the Arctic, where the reliable supply of energy can mean the difference between life and death, one community is leading the way in one of the planet’s most unique renewable energy transitions.
For more than 100 years, the economy of Svalbard, Norway — a group of islands near the North Pole — has revolved around coal mining. But burning coal warms the planet, which contributes to the climate change that is now melting Svalbard’s glaciers.
The Norwegian government has now mandated Svalbard close its last coal mine within two years.
“We’re proud of the mining industry,” said Heidi Theresa Ose, CEO of the coal mining company, Store Norske. “At the same time, we’re now looking into the future and finding new ways to contribute with energy.”
CBS News traveled to the world’s northernmost and fastest-warming community of Svalbard. What scientists are learning there helps Americans understand the changes happening in the United States. As the Arctic warms, it adds to rising sea levels along our coasts and instability in the atmosphere that contributes to our extreme weather events.
**Read more:** [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/climate-solutions-arctic-svalbard-norway-fastest-warming-place/](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/climate-solutions-arctic-svalbard-norway-fastest-warming-place/)