Kivalina sits on a barrier island, surrounded by the Chukchi Sea. The area is prone to heavy wind and rainstorms. The protection of sea ice has become less reliable and sea levels have risen with climate change.
Climate Change
Not even the eagles came to the canceled Alaska Bald Eagle Festival
The chum salmon run on the Chilkat was a record low this year — just a fraction of the expected return. It’s impacted the whole ecosystem: eagles, fishermen and bears.
Russian and American Scientists say warming water is pushing Bering Sea pollock into new territory
Scientists say pollock can migrate much further north and stay there for longer as winters warm and sea ice melts.
Trump administration rushes to sell oil rights in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Conservation groups say the Trump administration is rushing the process to open ANWR before President-elect Joe Biden takes office.
Warming rivers are melting Arctic sea ice, new study shows
A team of international researchers found that heat from rivers melted as much as 10% of Arctic sea ice between 1980 and 2015.
Weekend storms pummel Arctic coastal villages
Villages from the Yukon River Delta north to Kivalina reported severe weather, including high seas.
Fall storms set back Bering and Chukchi sea ice formation in already delayed season
One climatologist forecasts sea ice will form late, the extent will be below average, and it will be similar to last year’s.
There’s more sea ice in the Chukchi Sea than last fall, but it’s still historically low
Last year saw the lowest fall sea ice extent in the Chukchi Sea on record — and this year’s sea ice extent is still way below the historical average.
Mother of all jökulhlaups reported in Southeast Alaska
The glacial dam release is believed to have flowed under Lituya Glacier and into Lituya Bay back in August.
Researchers warn of elevated toxins in shellfish from several Gulf of Alaska beaches
The data is meant to help tribal citizens, and others, make educated decisions about where and when they’re harvesting.