In the late 1950’s, the U.S. government planned to develop a deep-water port off the far northwestern corner of Alaska. The plans moved forward, despite the fact the waters in the region are frozen solid most of the year.

Climate change is faster and more severe in the Arctic than most of the world.  It’s getting warmer there each year. 

Here are some of the beautiful sights and sounds of the Arctic captured by photojournalist Andrew Smith.

The people of the Arctic are among the first on Earth to experience the direct impacts of global warming, and it was their compelling stories that prompted CCTV America to produce a new documentary about the repercussions of climate change on the people, land, and wildlife of the Arctic.

Photographer Andrew Smith and I went to the Arctic in mid-March, while it was still winter. It was routinely -25 Celsius, more often than not with blowing snow and strong gusting winds.

As part of their working assignment Sean Callebs and Andrew Smith were able to see some spectacular sunset from the Arctic.

You cannot talk about the change in conditions in the Arctic in North America without talking about being able to navigate the “Northwest Passage.”

Watch the videos from behind the scenes and CCTV America newscasts here.