Sweden's reindeer at risk of starvation after summer drought

Indigenous Sami herders urge state to help mitigate impact of climate change in Arctic circle

Sweden's indigenous Sami reindeer herders are demanding state aid to help them cope with the impact of this summer's unprecedented drought and wildfires, saying their future is at risk as global warming changes the environment in the far north.

The Swedish government this week announced five major investigations aimed at preparing the country for the kind of extreme heatwave it experienced in July, when temperatures exceeded 30C (86F) and forest fires raged inside the Arctic circle.