As part of International Polar Year, Environment Canada's Biosphère is pleased to present a new exhibit of giant photographs entitled Arctic: Walking on Thin Ice.

Intended to raise awareness about this incomparable environment and the issues it faces, this exhibit comprises 40 photographs that beautifully depict the wilderness, fauna, flora and inhabitants of this vast region, which is unknown and unfamiliar to most people. Marking the beginning of its summer season, the exhibit is presented free of charge in a nature display along the path that links the Biosphère to the Jean-Drapeau metro station, from June 3rd, 2008, to April 30th, 2009.

Arctic: Walking on Thin Ice combines 40 stunning and diverse photographs of the Canadian Arctic, accompanied by information panels that tackle ten conflicting or comparative themes: the richness of the habitat, the harshness of the climate, the impacts of climatic change, territory development, exploitation of natural resources, pollution and scientific research.

Photo: Environment CanadaThe photographs come from groups of researchers, artists and individuals who have made the Great North their passion: ArcticNet, Students on Ice, Environment Canada, the Polar Artists Group, photographer Hans Blohm and explorer Bernard Voyer, who takes a poetic and solitary look to this immense universe in a section that is devoted entirely to him.

The Arctic region stretches over more than 26 million km 2, including 2.6 in Canada, i.e. 26% of Canadian soil. The Canadian Arctic consists mainly of Nunavut and Nunavik (the northern extreme of Quebec), as well as a small part of the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Created in 1882-1883, International Polar Year (IPY) is a recurrent international event in the field of scientific studies on the geophysical and climatological phenomena of the polar regions. For the first time, the fourth edition of the IPY (2007-2009) deals with climate change.