The recent lawsuits over drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and National Petroleum Reserve are a lot to keep track of. Casey Grove spoke to Tegan Hanlon to try to sort it all out.
Climate Change
Pink salmon could prosper in warmer Arctic, new study finds
A new study bolster reports by Alaska subsistence fishermen that the species’ numbers have been increasing as the Arctic warms at more than double the rate of the rest of the globe.
As Arctic warming accelerates, permafrost thaw hits Red Dog mine with $20 million bill
Red Dog’s problems show how climate change poses a challenge to the economy of Arctic Alaska, which is warming at triple the rate of the global average.
‘Merciless’ rain in Southeast Alaska breaks records, dampens spirits
Ketchikan had 68 days with measurable rainfall, for a total of 47 inches — both records. Sitka set a rainy-day record with 70 days, while Petersburg had a record 31.6 inches. Downtown Juneau saw more rain than it’s seen in 59 years, with 34 inches.
Aleutian storm season opens big with 120 mph-gusts in Unalaska over the weekend
“It appears this was the strongest storm to affect Alaska during the month of August on record,” said Rick Thoman, who works for the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy.
With virus funds, Newtok will build more homes in Mertarvik
COVID-19 caused construction delays, but now CARES Act funding will pay for five additional homes.
Mertarvik’s lack of a commercial airport may have already cost lives
The Alaska Department of Transportation will only fund one airport between Newtok and Mertarvik, although both villages have over 100 residents.
After moving to new village, Mertarvik residents say they are living healthier, more traditional lives
Residents say the air is better, indoors and out, and they have better access to subsistence activities.
A big Mendenhall jökulhlaup could happen anytime, but scientists say it’s hard to know how big
Water is already spilling over the ice dam, and the lake below the glacier is approaching flood stage from rain water.
Zero-emission air-source heat pumps are trending in Juneau
The nonprofit carbon offset program paying for some conversions had plans to scale up this summer by marketing to climate-conscious tourists. Those plans will be shelved until 2021.