While the polar night has fallen for a month on Longyearbyen, the snow is not coming. The city has even experienced torrential rainfall episodes, and was therefore surprised by precipitation (+400% in October 2016, according to the IMN). A first in its history. Will the people of the Arctic Circle be forced to get used to a climate revolution? In the meantime, withiut snow, night is darker than ever. November 2016, 5pm.
Lighted by a headlamp, Orjan’s silhouette plunges into the labyrinth of the glacier. The darkness is total, whereas at this time of year, there is always snow to reflect the light. In this region where the rate of warming is the fastest in the world, the inhabitants must accept to see their routine disrupted. Faced with the inevitable influx of tourists, the young guide of 27 has given himself the task of explaining to each visitor how to understand the Arctic, and how to protect it. November 2016, 10.30 am.
In recent years, there has been a real estate crisis in Svalbard. More and more people want to settle there. Some to flee society, others to take advantage of global warming and its business opportunities, such as the increase in tourism. Faced with a lack of space, the inhabitants store their belongings in containers on leaving the city. November 2018, 4 pm.