The Arctic is warming the fastest of any area in the world.  Since the Arctic is warming so faster the changes there are expected to be more dramatic.  The permafrost is thawing faster and is causing a system of positive feedback, where as the frost thaws it releases methane a greenhouse gas.  The greenhouse gas causes more warming causing a cycle.  Less permafrost will mean more plant life in the Arctic region shown by in the increase in shrubs in recent years by 2100 shrubs and trees will take over the land which is now covered in grass.  Shipping routes will be faster if there is less ice, ships will no longer have to go though the Panama and Suez canals.  The fishing industry will also have a new place to fish.  There are also many untaped energy sources in the Arctic that would become available.  Ecosystems will be affected by migration patterns being less important as areas are warmer throughout the entire year, for example gray whales stayed in the Beaufort Sea instead of traveling to the warmer California coast starting in 2004.  Although many animals will suffer from the change of climate some may benefit such as bowhead whale, the musk ox and the barren ground grizzly bear.

Although the Arctic will continue to warm for centuries no matter what we do, the future does not have to be so bleak.  If we move away from fossil fuels eventually the Arctic environment will  begin recover.  The economic benefits also are not worth it as the Arctic has no way to clean up large oil spills form ships or oil drilling.

http://www.climatecentral.org/news/the-end-and-beginning-of-the-arctic-18407