Arctic regions are experiencing an unprecedented increase in economic development initiatives and international attention to sovereignty, access, climate change, and Inuit rights that bring both opportunities and risks for local residents. The session addresses these issues and the development of policy responses through papers that concentrate on the exploitation of natural resources and increasing commercial activities in the Arctic – including tourism. Emphasis will be on social sustainability as well as resilience and adaptive capacity in Inuit communities. Presentations that draw together multi-disciplinary aspects of change and that discuss policy and regulatory efforts within the context of global change and economic development are particularly welcome.