If the polar ice caps weren’t melting before, they certainly are now.

Up Here magazine has raised the stakes on the climate change debate, unleashing a swimsuit edition this week to make the point that if something isn’t done about global warming soon you might as well trade your parka for a two-piece.

The goal was draw attention to the discussion and, while a handful of readers might be distracted by the 10 scantily clad ladies photographed in arctic landscapes, it appears the mission has been accomplished.

“When you want to get attention in a room full of people talking, you tend to yell,” writes Tim Querengesser on Up Here’s website. “So, when we decided to dedicate an entire issue to climate change in the North, one of the most over-trammeled media narratives in history, we knew we’d have to yell to be heard above the already deafening howl.”

“We are always, as communicators, striving to come up with some new way to grab people,” Up Here editor Aaron Spitzer told CBC.ca.

According to the CBC, the Yellowknife-based magazine has covered northern culture, lifestyle, arts and travel for 26 years, and was magazine of the year at the National Magazine Awards in June.

Charlotte Overvold, one of the models who took part in the shoot, told the CBC she was drawn to the project because of its important message.

“For me personally, animals, and the hunting and stuff like that, it’s, like, greatly affected. So I felt very strong in being a part of this,” she said.

Special thanks to Spitzer for providing the magazine cover you can see below. To see more, check out the video here:

Photo: Up Here