Things have gotten so bad in Kotzebue Sound that belugas there don’t sing out as much as they do elsewhere. Researchers suspect the belugas are afraid killer whales will find them and eat them.
Arctic
In The Arctic Circle, The Sun Will Come Up After 58 Tomorrows
The people in a tiny town in Greenland manage to stay (reasonably) happy even without the sun. But they’re sure glad to have it back.
Prosperity, mitigating climate change effects covered in Arctic conference
Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott was part of Alaskan group participating in Seattle’s Arctic Encounter Symposium.
Alaskans fly south for Arctic symposium
Alaska officials, municipal and Native corporation representatives, and top Coast Guard officers are attending the third annual Arctic Encounter Symposium in Seattle.
Temperatures up by 50 Degrees at North Pole
2014 was the warmest year since 1880, and 2015 is on track to be even warmer. While the rest of the world has warmed by an average of 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit, the Arctic has warmed by twice as much.
Russian icebreaker makes record-setting Arctic voyage
Along with setting the speed record, the icebreaker also completed the trip over a month after the shipping season usually ends in the Arctic. But it’s still a long way off from becoming the next great trade route.
Conoco withdraws from Russian Arctic
American oil titan ConocoPhillips has sold its 50 percent stake in the Polar Lights drilling project in the Russian Arctic, according to Russian news media. The sale marks Conoco’s complete exit from Russia.
Arctic Native leaders: Paris climate agreement didn’t address indigenous rights
Indigenous rights leaders say the Paris agreement doesn’t consider the people who are most affected by climate change.
Models show permafrost melting faster than thought
UAF researchers reported findings from Arctic permafrost modeling that indicates thawing may dramatically affect ecosystems and infrastructure.
Shell seeks to extend drilling rights off Alaska
Despite its decision to abandon offshore drilling in Alaska this fall, Shell still has its eye on the Arctic.