alaska
Newsletter
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Melting Alaskan permafrost releases dangerous mercury levels
Thawing permafrost in Alaska's Yukon River is releasing alarming amounts of mercury, posing a significant threat to local Indigenous communities.
In short:
- A new study reveals that melted permafrost is releasing more mercury than previously estimated, with serious implications for human health.
- The mercury release could potentially contaminate fish, a critical food source for Alaska Native peoples, though further research is needed.
- The study highlights the broader risks of climate change to both the environment and Indigenous cultures.
Key quote:
“It has that sense of a bomb that’s going to go off.”
— Josh West, professor of earth sciences and environmental studies at USC
Why this matters:
Mercury poisoning is a severe health risk, especially for vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children. The loss of traditional food sources and cultural practices due to contamination could further harm Indigenous communities.
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Credit: Pixabay
Arctic heat surges to unprecedented levels
The Arctic is experiencing record-breaking temperatures due to intense heat domes, with some areas up to 40 degrees Fahrenheit above normal.
In short:
- Northern Canada, Alaska and Scandinavia have faced extreme heat, with temperatures reaching up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in some Arctic locations.
- The heat, driven by climate change, is displacing cooler air, temporarily easing heat in parts of the U.S.
- Arctic sea ice is near its annual minimum, with levels among the lowest on record.
Key quote:
"In early August, snow and ice melting on the surface of the Svalbard ice caps reached the highest levels ever recorded."
— the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Service
Why this matters:
Persistent extreme heat in the Arctic accelerates ice melt, contributing to global sea level rise and further destabilizing the climate system. The ongoing climate shifts threaten ecosystems and human communities worldwide.
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A glacier in Alaska causes record flooding in Juneau
An outburst flood from Alaska’s Mendenhall Glacier inundated homes in Juneau, highlighting worsening summertime flooding with few solutions in sight.
In short:
- The Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska, caused severe flooding after meltwater burst through, affecting more than 100 homes.
- Glacial outburst floods have become a recurring problem, with this year’s flood being the largest recorded, surpassing previous records.
- Efforts to mitigate flooding, such as barriers and tunnels, have been discussed but remain unimplemented due to complexity and cost.
Key quote:
"There was a tremendous amount of water that came out at one time."
— Aaron Jacobs, senior service hydrologist with the National Weather Service
Why this matters:
As glaciers continue to melt, extreme weather events like the floods in Juneau may become more frequent, posing significant risks to communities. Understanding and addressing the impacts of climate change on glacial melt is crucial to developing effective solutions and protecting vulnerable areas.
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Credit:Jody Davis/Pixabay
Alaska advocates propose prison reform as a climate strategy
Alaska's aging prisons face climate challenges, prompting advocates to call for reducing incarceration as a key strategy for climate mitigation.
In short:
- Alaska's correctional facilities, built on unstable land, face increased structural challenges from climate change impacts like flooding and thawing permafrost.
- Environmental advocates argue that investing in prison infrastructure is unsustainable and propose decarceration to reduce financial and environmental burdens.
- Alaska has a high per capita incarceration rate, and efforts to expand prison facilities have drawn criticism from those who see reducing the prison population as a better path forward.
Key quote:
"The damage of climate change in Alaska is very obvious and it does not exclude our prisons."
— Megan Edge, director of ACLU of Alaska’s Prison Project
Why this matters:
Alaska's rising temperatures and unpredictable climate pose significant threats to infrastructure, making sustainable prison reform urgent. Advocates argue that focusing on reducing incarceration can alleviate pressure on the environment and state budgets.
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Credit: Retina Creative/Pixabay
Biden administration considers new oil drilling limits in Alaska
The Biden administration is evaluating further restrictions on oil drilling in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve, potentially designating more areas off-limits to development.
In short:
- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will seek public input on expanding “special areas” in the 23-million-acre reserve, which could restrict new oil exploration.
- The move follows the approval of the controversial Willow oil project, which could add up to 199 new wells in the reserve.
- The evaluation will involve consulting with Indigenous tribes and communities reliant on the reserve's resources for subsistence.
Key quote:
“We have a responsibility to manage the western Arctic in a way that honors the more than 40 Indigenous communities that continue to rely on the resources from the Reserve for subsistence.”
— Tracy Stone-Manning, BLM Director
Why this matters:
Increased restrictions on drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska could significantly impact oil production and the local economy, while aiming to protect vital ecosystems and Indigenous ways of life amid rapid climate change.
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Credit: Alexis Mette/Unsplash
Alaskan Indigenous communities adapt to climate change
Alaska’s rapid warming forces Indigenous communities like Point Hope to adapt their traditional lifestyles to changing conditions.
In short:
- Alaska is warming up to three times faster than the global average, severely impacting Indigenous communities reliant on ice and wildlife.
- Traditional practices are being adjusted; for example, people in Point Hope adapt by changing their hunting and food storage methods.
- Community projects, like building a pool in Bethel, prepare residents for unpredictable conditions caused by climate change.
Key quote:
“You can’t really change the Arctic. You can only change with the Arctic.”
— Priscilla Frankson, Iñupiaq student
Why this matters:
Indigenous communities’ adaptation strategies offer practical examples for dealing with climate change. As extreme weather becomes more common, these approaches highlight the importance of local, knowledge-based solutions.
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Credit: Tomas Gonzalez de Rosenzweig/Unsplash
Young Alaskans file lawsuit to halt massive gas export project
Eight Alaskan youths are suing the state over a $38.7 billion gas export project, arguing it violates their constitutional rights by exacerbating climate change.
In short:
- The Alaska LNG Project includes a gas treatment plant, an 800-mile pipeline, and a liquefaction plant, which will significantly increase the state's greenhouse gas emissions.
- Plaintiffs, aged 11 to 22, claim the project infringes on their rights to natural resources and protection from government overreach, as stated in the Alaska constitution.
- The lawsuit, filed by Our Children’s Trust, aims to prevent the state from proceeding with the project and establish a legal precedent for climate justice.
Key quote:
“The acceleration of climate change that this project will bring will affect what the land provides and brings to my culture.”
— Summer Sagoonick, lead plaintiff in the case and a member the Iñupiaq tribe
Why this matters:
This case illustrates the legal battles young people are waging to protect their future from the impacts of climate change. The outcome could set a significant precedent for environmental justice and state responsibility.
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