Suffolk Reporter

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's journey began with an invitation from a friend to visit Ellesmere Island in the Canadian Archipelago. "I had a friend who was already doing work in the Arctic, and he asked me if I wanted to go," Shepson recalled.

Shepson's experiences are chronicled on the website Arctic Stories, which he developed alongside his wife Jody and environmental author Peter Lourie. The site serves as a testament to a way of life now endangered by climate change. "I started out with a very esoteric interest in atmospheric chemistry," Shepson said, describing how his research evolved over time.

His work eventually led him to Utqiagvik, Alaska, one of the northernmost towns globally. There, he observed a blend of scientific inquiry into climate change and traditional practices among the Inupiat Eskimos. "It’s an intriguing confluence of people with different objectives and perspectives," Shepson noted.

The intersection of tradition and technology in these communities fascinated Shepson. He described how locals use both handmade umiaqs for hunting bowhead whales and modern tools like GPS for navigating sea ice conditions. "So these very traditional methods are supported with a high degree of technical savvy," he explained.

Shepson's mission included documenting local stories about life in the Arctic and human impacts on this environment. Contrary to his expectations, residents did not express anger towards outsiders affecting their lands but rather viewed climate change as another challenge to adapt to. "They deal with the harshest aspects of the natural world," Shepson remarked.

Climate change poses significant threats to Arctic wildlife due to diminishing sea ice, affecting species like bowhead whales and polar bears. Despite this reality, Shepson remains committed to preserving these stories for future generations. "Your grandchildren will probably never get to see that world," he lamented.

Although funding challenges have paused further expeditions since 2022, Shepson hopes others will continue this important work. Reflecting on his experiences, he expressed admiration for the community's resilience: "These people are connected to the point of helping each other survive."

Shepson sees parallels between his own roots in New York's Finger Lakes area and those living in remote Arctic regions: "There’s something about home that brings people back." His journey underscores both personal connection and broader environmental concerns as intertwined narratives worth capturing.