Since 1988, Paul Shepson has dedicated his career to studying the Arctic's natural atmosphere and the lives of its inhabitants. As a dean and distinguished professor at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS), Shepson has spent considerable time in various parts of the Arctic. His journey began when a friend invited him to join an expedition to Ellesmere Island in the Canadian Archipelago.
Shepson's research is documented on the website Arctic Stories, which he created with his wife Jody and environmental author Peter Lourie. The site serves as a tribute to traditional ways of life now threatened by climate change. "I started out with a very esoteric interest in atmospheric chemistry," Shepson said, reflecting on how his initial curiosity evolved into a lifelong passion.
His work eventually led him to Utqiagvik, Alaska, one of the northernmost towns globally. "It's a fascinating place," he remarked about Utqiagvik's unique blend of scientists, locals, and industry workers.
The intersection of tradition and technology among Arctic communities intrigued Shepson. He observed that while locals maintain traditional hunting methods using handmade umiaqs, they also employ modern tools like GPS for navigation. "So these very traditional methods are supported with a high degree of technical savvy," he noted.
Shepson's travels aimed to capture stories from local people about their experiences living in such an environment. Contrary to his expectations, residents did not express anger towards outsiders affecting their lands but instead showed resilience towards climate change challenges.
Climate change impacts are evident in the region, particularly concerning sea ice reduction affecting wildlife like bowhead whales and polar bears. "If you remove the ice, lots of mammals may die in this very sensitive ecosystem," Shepson warned.
Despite these challenges, Shepson emphasized that Arctic residents share common aspirations with people elsewhere. "They're just people," he said, highlighting their connections to both modern society and their cultural roots.
Reflecting on his experiences, Shepson expressed hope that future generations will continue documenting these stories: "These people are connected to the point of helping each other survive."
Although funding constraints have paused further updates on Arctic Stories since 2022, Shepson remains optimistic about passing on this mission: "I've been richly blessed with the opportunity to be part of that."