LONGYEARBYEN - A REMOTE ARCTIC SETTLEMENT WHICH CHANGED FUNCTIONS

This remote settlement on the Svalbard Islands began as a coal mining operation. When coal mining dwindled as a function the settlement re-invented its purpose by adding other functions. It's a fascinating story of survival in a challenging environment. This unit supports the theme of sustainability. It also provides a cross curriculum theme with the history of settlement. Students gain some awareness of climatic change by recognising that coal deposits exist in what is now a cold and vegetation-depleted environment. This is the first in the series on remote settlements in the Arctic regions (3 still operational and 1 abandoned). Each one has a link with sustainability. This material has been used as a cold climate awareness study in primary school studies. It can also be used at lower-mid-secondary studies in geography/environment/history studies. Be ready for cold experiences.