| Summary: | The fragile ecological systems of the Arctic are in danger. In mining and smelting, large amounts of soot, nitrous gasses, and sulphur dioxide are released. Through the food chain, toxic organic pollutants and heavy metals build up in the organisms of animals and people. Climate change is putting additional stress on ecological systems. Invasive species threaten biological diversity. The EU member-states of the European Union contribute to the environmental pollution in northern polar region. To a large extent, its ecological footprint in the Arctic can be traced back to the import of goods and services from the region. The EU should concentrate its environmental efforts in an environmental strategy for the Arctic.
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