The article analyses the most recent environmental debate on Arctic warming. Three main concerns are identified. First, the debate underlines that the ongoing Arctic change is a warning of the planetary crisis to come. Second, it emphasises that this change is a symptom of epochal transition toward the Anthropocene. Third, it regards the change as an outcome of the continuing colonial repression of the extreme North. The main objective of the study on which the article is based was to evaluate these concerns as part of the main historical imaginaries of the Arctic (singled out from related literature). The method utilised was an application of ‘critical reading’ developed by post-colonial researchers. The evaluation revealed that in order to strengthen their message, environmentalists have creatively utilised and developed ancient imaginaries of the Arctic. However, at times, this coupling has in practice resulted in conceptual associations that weaken the environmentalists’ potential in formulating foundational critiques and alternatives. The evaluation of the environmental concerns also helped to sketch the contours of an Arctic development alternative that is grounded on reciprocal localisation and ethno-ecological cooperation.

本文分析了有关北极变暖的最新环境辩论。确定了三个主要问题。首先，辩论强调北极的持续变化是对即将到来的地球危机的警告。其次，它强调这种变化是向人类世时代过渡的征兆。第三，它认为这种变化是对极端北方的持续殖民镇压的结果。这篇文章所基于的研究的主要目的是评估这些关切，作为北极主要历史想象中的一部分（从相关文献中选出）。使用的方法是后殖民研究人员开发的“批判性阅读”的应用。评估显示，为了加强他们的信息，环保主义者创造性地利用和发展了北极的古代想象。但是，有时这种耦合实际上导致了概念上的联系，削弱了环保主义者制定基本批评和替代方案的潜力。对环境问题的评估还有助于勾勒出北极发展备选方案的轮廓，其基础是相互对立和民族生态合作。