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# Arctic dreams
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/article-2483jsp/
- Published: 2005-05-04T23:05:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-17T11:52:16.000Z
- Author: Caspar Henderson
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 19:17, #ImagesUploaded

In May 2003 I travelled to the far northern islands of [Svalbard](http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm%5Fhtm/svalbard.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) with a group of scientists, artists, musicians and writers. We went to look at the effects of climate change, which is happening in the Arctic faster than anywhere else (see [here](http://www.acia.uaf.edu/?ref=opendemocracy.net) and [here](http://www.lrb.co.uk/v27/n01/print/byer01%5F.html?ref=opendemocracy.net)).

One of the most striking things for me was the sounds of the place, including those made by animals, whose future is increasingly uncertain as climate change gathers pace. I [wrote](https://www.opendemocracy.net/articles/View.jsp?id=1244): 

“Through a hydrophone in the sea comes a series of long whistles that start high and descend, very gradually – ever so slowly – right down the scale. They sound like a cross between The Clangers and fireworks or artillery, but more gentle and sweet. It is bearded seals. This sound is suspended in a deep, vast, echoing underwater world, where crustaceans rustle and click in the far distance.”

You can hear some of those seals, recorded by the composer Max Eastley.

[Click here to listen](#)

You will also hear the sound of the Arctic wind, moderated through Aeolian flutes (simple tubes strapped to the rigging of the schooner *Noorderlicht*).

[Click here to listen](#)

And here too are photographs, taken in March 2005 by expedition leader David Buckland on his third journey to this ever-changing landscape.

![1_Noorderlicht-landscape_Bu.jpg](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3f/80/3f804bea-4b2d-4ddf-9ff0-6ec7d0afa5fa/content/images/2026/04/1_Noorderlicht-landscape_Bu_CHTw7Pm-1776425896675.jpg)

1\_Noorderlicht-landscape\_Bu.jpg

![2_Noorderlicht-in-ice_Buckl.jpg](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3f/80/3f804bea-4b2d-4ddf-9ff0-6ec7d0afa5fa/content/images/2026/04/2_Noorderlicht-in-ice_Buckl_yZ0OjwU-1776425896747.jpg)

2\_Noorderlicht-in-ice\_Buckl.jpg

![3_Shaddow-figure_Buckland.jpg](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3f/80/3f804bea-4b2d-4ddf-9ff0-6ec7d0afa5fa/content/images/2026/04/3_Shaddow-figure_Buckland_eA87Bpb-1776425896779.jpg)

3\_Shaddow-figure\_Buckland.jpg

![5_Bleak-peaks_Buckland.jpg](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3f/80/3f804bea-4b2d-4ddf-9ff0-6ec7d0afa5fa/content/images/2026/04/5_Bleak-peaks_Buckland_uur8SDG-1776425896833.jpg)

5\_Bleak-peaks\_Buckland.jpg

![4_morning-ice_Buckland.jpg](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3f/80/3f804bea-4b2d-4ddf-9ff0-6ec7d0afa5fa/content/images/2026/04/4_morning-ice_Buckland_NNkHXad-1776425896777.jpg)

4\_morning-ice\_Buckland.jpg

![7_Antonys-Ice-Man_Buckland.jpg](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3f/80/3f804bea-4b2d-4ddf-9ff0-6ec7d0afa5fa/content/images/2026/04/7_Antonys-Ice-Man_Buckland_x335gvk-1776425896860.jpg)

7\_Antonys-Ice-Man\_Buckland.jpg

And here too are [photographs](https://www.opendemocracy.net/articles/View.jsp?id=1294), taken by expedition leader David Buckland in 2003 on his third journey to this ever-changing landscape in March 2005

This article appears as part of **openDemocracy**‘s online debate on the politics of climate change. The debate was developed in partnership with the British Council as part of their [ZeroCarbonCity](http://www.britishcouncil.org/science-zerocarboncity.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) initiative – a two year global campaign to raise awareness and stimulate debate around the challenges of climate change.