Global Warming News from Alaska: December 22, 2006
Reporting from The Front Line

Dear Friends,

In a season filled with hope and new beginnings, this monthly report highlights numerous positive developments. But the alarming evidence continues to mount. As discussed more fully below, scientists now project that if human generated greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, the Arctic Ocean Ice Cap may be gone by the year 2040, including ice over the North Pole.

This motivated Santa Claus to write a letter to President Bush. A concerned elf leaked the letter, and the Anchorage Daily News published it (click here).

As we start a new year, we look forward to working with you to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, on the individual, local, state, and federal levels for the benefit of current and future generations.

Alaska Global Warming News - The Latest Evidence and Developments

November Arctic Ice Cap Smallest Ever Recorded

According to Dr. Meier with the National Snow and Ice Data Center, the November average Arctic Ice Cap coverage was the smallest since satellite measurements began (New York Times 12/12/06).

• Because of global warming, the winter ice is not recovering adequately. “2006 is a case in point,” notes Dr. Meier, “we see that at the end of November, we have 2 million square kilometers less ice than we should have in a typical year” (Bloomberg 12/12/06).

Arctic Ice Cap Could Be Effectively Eliminated by 2040 If Emissions Increase

Using measurements of actual Arctic Ice Cap reductions, together with computer simulations, a team of scientists have concluded that the Arctic Ocean could be virtually devoid of ice by 2040 if emissions of greenhouse gases increase (NCAR 2006).

• Fortunately, the scientists determined that the likelihood of rapid ice loss would decrease if emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases were to slow. According to Dr. Holland, “Our research indicates that society can still minimize the impacts on Arctic ice.”

Scientists and Public Testify About Adverse Impacts from Global Warming at First Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission Hearing

On December 7-8, the legislatively created Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission held their first public hearing in Fairbanks, Alaska. On the first day the Commission heard from leading global warming scientists at the University of Alaska Fairbanks; and on the second day there was public testimony (See news coverage).

• Global warming has already had profound, adverse impacts on Alaska's forests. Furthermore, birch, black spruce and white spruce could be eliminated in Alaska 's interior boreal forests if global warming intensifies, according to forestry expert Dr. Glenn Juday.
• Dr. Brenda Norcross, a professor of fisheries, testified that a number of diseases and other problems associated with warmer temperatures have already affected Yukon River salmon, crabs, and oysters.
• According to Dr. Larry Hinzman, permafrost ranges have changed dramatically over the last century, affecting vegetation, water bodies, and other natural features.
• Other experts emphasized additional impacts from global warming in Alaska, including: melting sea ice, engineering challenges, increased accidents, additional health concerns, adverse impacts on industries, increased fires, expanded forest diseases, and shoreline erosion (Fairbanks Daily News Miner 12/9/06).
• The public testified about a range of global warming problems, including: drying lakes, increased storms, erosion, bird mortality, increased fires, and damages to homes from melting permafrost. There was also a considerable amount of discussion about solutions, such as renewable energy alternatives, energy efficient buildings, and the need to include global warming considerations in regulations and management plans (Fairbanks Daily News Miner 12/10/06).

Global Warming Forces Alaska Communities to Seek Assistance for Moves

Earlier this year, the Corps of Engineers issued a report which concluded that at least three Alaska communities (Shishmaref, Newtok, and Kivalina) had to relocate within the next 10 to 15 years. This is necessary because of global warming enhanced storms, shoreline erosion, and melting permafrost.

• On December 18, the community of Shishmaref sent a letter to Senator Ted Stevens and the rest of the Alaska Congressional delegation informing them that the residents recently voted overwhelmingly to relocate the village to a specific site, the Tin Creek site. The community members also stated unequivocally their “dire need” for Congressional funding for their “beach front and relocation projects that we submitted earlier this year.”
• The letter from Shishmaref to Senator Stevens poignantly observed: “we have no place off the island to evacuate to unlike other communities in the lower 48. We as American citizens deserve to be allowed the opportunity to move our community to a safer place and to continue our unique life style that we have preserved for the past 4,000 years and hope to be given the opportunity to pass on our traditions to our children and their grandchildren. The American people must not refuse our pleas for assistance.”
• The village of Newtok is in the process of designing their new community and planning their move. An excellent description of their status can be found in the Anchorage Daily News (12/20/06). The total cost to move Newtok alone is estimated to be approximately $130 million.

In Brief – Other Alaska Global Warming Items of Note.

• Pollock Catch Limit Cut. In part because global warming is causing pollock to migrate northward into cooler, non-American waters, the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council cut pollock catch quotas by 6%. This represents a loss of tens of millions of dollars. (Anchorage Daily News 12/12/06). This is more concrete evidence that global warming is very, very costly to the United States.
• US Coast Guard Uses Electric Car Successfully in Alaska. The Ketchikan base of the US Coast Guard has successfully tested the use of an electric “Bubble Car” as transportation for security watchstanders. Chief Westerlund is very pleased with the car's performance, as well as its environmental features and cost savings. Substituting the electric e4 for a gas-powered minivan has saved about $70 a month in fuel costs, he said. (See entire AP article, 12/18/06).
• Kenai Fjord National Park Adopts Several Climate Friendly Strategies. Kenai Fjords National Park has finished successfully testing a fuel cell and has also offset the Park's emissions for the year. With the collaboration of the Alaska Energy Technology Development Laboratory, the fuel cell was installed at Kenai Fjord's Exit Glacier Nature Center and ran for more than 1,100 hours straight. It is more efficient than conventional combustion, and does not produce the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (Fairbanks Daily News Miner 11/28/06). The Park also offset its emissions for the year from its commercial electricity use (3 Phases Power), heating fuel use (Carbonfund.org), vehicle fleet (Terrapass), and marine gas and diesel use (Carbonfund.org). Well done, Kenai Fjords National Park!
• New Alaska Global Warming Publication Available. The Alaska Center for the Environment has published a 20-page Special Report entitled “Global Warming in Alaska: Ground Zero”. Featuring 11 articles from scientists, Alaska Natives, economists, government representatives and others, the publication provides an excellent, up-to-date overview of significant Alaska global warming impacts and solutions. To request a copy, contact Clare Stockert at clare@akcenter.org or call 907-274-3621.

Key National News

2006 on Target to be Third Warmest Year on Record for Continental US.

NOAA has announced that temperatures in 2006 are likely to be third warmest on record for the continental US, averaging 2° F above the 20th century mean. NOAA also notes that 2006 was “marked by severe heat waves, widespread drought, and wildfires” (NOAA 2006).

• By late July 2006, half of the contiguous U.S. was in moderate to exceptional drought.
• “Drought and anomalous warmth contributed to a record wildfire season for the nation, with more than 9.5 million acres burned through early December.”
• Because of a rapid onset of El Nino, the Atlantic hurricane season was suppressed, but there was a “sharp increase” in hurricane activity in the Eastern Pacific.
• The summer (September) extent of Arctic sea ice was the second lowest on record.
• Incorporating 2006, six of the seven warmest years on record have occurred since 2001.

American Indians and Alaska Natives Express Concerns about Global Warming

At the Tribal Lands Climate Conference, Alaska Natives and American Indians described the dramatic adverse impacts they are experiencing because of global warming and also discussed solutions (See UNObserver 12/12/06; Arizona Republic 12/7/06; Indian Country Today 12/8/06).

• Evon Peter, a Gwichin from Alaska, dicussed the negative impacts of global warming on caribou. Jason Baldes, a Shoshone from Wyoming, expressed concern about melting mountain glaciers. The Taos Pueblo have experienced extensive drought conditions. Dr. Nancy Maynard from NASA observed that global warming is adversely impacting not only tribes in Alaska, but also tribes throughout the nation through forest loss (Menominee Forest in Wisconsin), fires (Black Hills in South Dakota), disappearing animals (Tulalip Tribes), and drought. Overall, global warming is threatening tribal lands, health, and culture.
• Various tribes are already involved in or investigating renewable energy options from wind, solar and biodiesel, carbon sequestration through reforestation (Nez Perce Tribe), energy efficiency, and alternative construction methods. The secretary of the Intertribal Council on Utility Policy observed that: “There is a whole lot that needs to be done. We need to take advantage of the opportunities that we have....Every tribe has renewable resources of one type or another....Is it a dead end or a fork in the road?”
• The conference also highlighted the successful education efforts of the Alaska Youth for Environmental Action.

EPA Union Asks Congress to Hold Oversight Hearings.

Representing more than 10,000 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scientists, engineers and other employees, union leaders have asked Congress to conduct aggressive oversight hearings on EPA's greenhouse gas emission programs (Christian Science Monitor 12/1/06; Full text of letter).

• According to Mr. Hirzy, vice president of the National Treasury Employees Union chapter that represents EPA headquarters employees, “the science is too clear and the consequences are too grave” to continue following the Bush Administration approach.
• The petition also urged Congress to ensure that agency experts are permitted to speak candidly about global warming “without fear of reprisal.”
• The petition provided examples of shortcomings, such as EPA's failure “to investigate coal-electric plants for technical options to control carbon.”

In Brief – Other National News of Note

• Global Warming Reduction Roadmap Published. Environment Northeast has published an excellent 275-page plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. It specifies 10 priority action areas (See entire report).
• California Animal Ranges Are Moving Upward. Many small animals have shifted their elevation ranges dramatically in California during the last 100 years because of warming. For instance, the golden-mantled ground squirrel has shifted its primary habitat approximately 500 feet in elevation, while the alpine chipmunk has shifted upward 1,800 feet (MSNBC 12/14/06).
• Global Warming Affecting High Elevation Lakes. Scientists have been studying the impact of climate change on insect populations in remote mountain lakes in the western United States. They have found a significant shift in the midge populations associated with a surface water temperature increase in these lakes of 0.5 to 1 degree since the 1980s. “Above-average surface water temperatures typified the late 20th century in all of the lakes that we studied. It's clearly an indication that something is happening that is already affecting aquatic ecosystems in these fragile, high-elevation lakes,” observes Dr. Porinchu, the study's lead author (Ohio State University 12/11/06).
• Proposed Polar Bear Listing. On December 27th, the Department of Interior proposed that polar bears should be listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Click here to view the outstanding and well-documented 154 page decision. The primary basis for the ruling is that climate change is reducing the polar bear's critical habitat: the Arctic Ice Cap. NOTE: this is not the final decision. The public has 3 months to comment on the proposed listing. (In the next monthly report, I will provide more information about this.) But this is the necessary first step to protecting polar bears under the Endangered Species Act.

Key International News

Global Warming Will Reduce Ocean's Primary Food Supply and Oxygen Producer

A team of NASA and other scientists have issued a study concluding that warmer oceans reduce the amount of phytoplankton available. Phytoplankton constitutes the ocean's primary food supply and oxygen producer. These microscopic plants also absorb more than 100 million metric tons of CO₂ from the atmosphere daily (Nature 12/7/06; NASA 12/6/06; Reuters 12/7/06).

• The scientists compared ocean satellite data with temperatures for the last decade and determined that phytoplankton populations declined when temperatures warmed. This is caused by the stratification of the warming ocean waters, reducing the nutrients available to phytoplankton.
• Phytoplankton convert carbon dioxide into oxygen through photosynthesis. “This study shows that as the climate warms, phytoplankton growth rates go down and along with them the amount of carbon dioxide these ocean plants consume,” notes lead author Dr. Behrenfeld. Phytoplankton account for approximately half of the photosynthesis on Earth.

In Brief – Other International News of Note.

• International Temperatures High for 2006. The World Meteorological Organization and British weather officials estimate that 2006 will be the 6th warmest year internationally ever recorded. England, on the other hand, experienced it hottest average annual temperature since records began in 1659. As noted by a climate scientist at the British Met Office, the temperatures this year demonstrate the “links between human behavior and the warming trend” (New York Times 12/15/06).
• Small Glaciers and Ice Caps Adding Most to Sea Level Rise. According to a new University of Colorado study, small glaciers and ice caps are contributing more to sea level rise than Greenland and Antarctica (400 billion tons of ice annually versus 250 billion tons of ice). The scientists estimated that there are several hundred thousand small glaciers and small ice caps located around the world. Alaska 's Columbia Glacier alone has shrunk 9 miles since 1980 and is discharging two cubic miles of ice annually. Notes Dr. Pfeffer, “We feel that ignoring the contribution of small glaciers and icecaps is dangerous because it affects the accuracy of predictions of sea rise around the world” (University of Colorado at Boulder 12/11/06).
• Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth Reduce Their CO₂ Emissions. Prince Charles is adopting a less carbon intensive lifestyle, and so is Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen, who is in her 80's, recently rode a public train for the first time and has relinquished the royal yacht. Prince Charles will be using public transportation and adopting other strategies to “reduce our carbon footprint” (AVweb 12/12/06).
• Australia's Religious Leaders Unite on Global Warming. Sixteen faith communities in Australia have united to express their united concerns, commitments, and hopes concerning global warming in “Common Belief: Australia 's Faith Communities on Climate Change”. The 16 faiths are: Aboriginal religion, Anglicans, Australian Christian Lobby, Baptists, Buddhist, Bahais, Catholics, Evangelical Alliance, Greek Orthodox, Hindus, Jews, Lutherans, Muslims, Salvation Army, Sikhs, and the United Church. (Common Belief Document)
• Australian Fires may Cause Native Species to Become Extinct. Bushfires in Australia are burning across three eastern states, and the intensity of the heat is so extreme that wildlife officials fear some species may become extinct as the fires consume large amounts of their habitat. These areas have been experiencing serious drought conditions for the past 10-15 years and according to Pat O'Brien, president of the Wildlife Protection Association of Australia, “everyone is convinced” that global warming is exacerbating the drought (New Zealand Herald 12/19/06; NPR 12/19/06).
• Global Warming Has Become A Hot Political Issue. Reuters has published an excellent article describing how important global warming has become as a political issue throughout the world (Reuters 12/13/06). In Germany, for example, 93% of the electorate consider climate change to be important, which makes global warming the second most important issue in the country.

Upcoming Events and Other Announcements

• January 9, Global Warming Citizens Action Meeting Alaska Center for the Environment, 807 G Street, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK, from 6-8pm. For more information contact claire@akcenter.org or visit ACE's Myspace account at: http://www.myspace.com/citizensglobalwarming
  Note: Meetings are potlucks and dishes can feature Alaskan grown ingredients.
• January 11, Alaska Conservation Solutions Global Warming Presentation Training, 11:30 to 1:30. This training session, taught by Deborah Williams, will be conducted via teleconference only and is specifically designed for people who live outside of the Anchorage area or for participants that can attend only by phone. For more info or to sign-up please contact Mary Walker at mwalker@alaskaconservationsolutions.com
• January 11, Sitka Global Warming Group, 7-8:30 pm; Harrigan Centennial Hall, for more information contact David Nicholls (soundsofalaska@yahoo.com).
• January 14, Alaska Conservation Solutions Global Warming Presentation Training, at 11:30 to 1:30 & 7:30 to 9:30 (same training, different times). Both trainings will be taught by Deborah Williams. Location: TBA. For more info or to sign-up please contact Mary Walker at mailto:mwalker@alaskaconservationsolutions.com 
• January 16, “Global Warming, Solutions to the Greatest Threat”, by Deborah Williams at the Prospector's Club; First United Methodist Church, 725 W. Ninth Ave. Public welcome. Free. (248-1060). Presentation begins at 6:30.
• January 24, Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission Public Hearing; Juneau; Alaska State Capitol building, time and exact location TBA; public testimony likely to be in the evening. 
• February 15, Anchorage Round Table on Climate Change, 8:30 am – 2:00 pm. Location: Egan Center. More Info: TBA
• February 12-15, Alaska Forum on the Environment, Global Warming Track, Anchorage, Alaska. Location: Egan Center. Keynote speakers include, N. Scott Momoday Author/Native American Scholar/Poet; Terry Tamminen, Author/Lecturer & Strategist on Global Warming, Energy and the Environment. More Info : Click Here.

One final note:

There is Still Time to Become Carbon Neutral in 2006. What is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself or others for the holidays? Carbon Neutrality! There is still time to buy Green Tags. One Green Tag retires 1,400 pounds of CO₂, so after you calculate your carbon emissions using the Alaska Carbon Calculator, you can go directly to the purchase page and buy enough Green Tags to achieve the desired reductions (just divide your total CO₂ by 1,400 to see how many green tags to purchase).

• Also, REI is offering a wonderful promotion through December 31. If you purchase $80.00 of Green Tags, they will send you a $20.00 gift certificate; and if you purchase $120.00 of Green Tags, they will make it a $40.00 gift (just type in the promotion code “HolidayPartner 06”). Happy holidays, indeed.

All of us at Alaska Conservation Solutions wish you a wonderful holiday season and a fulfilling New Year. For many reasons, 2007 promises to be an important year for addressing global warming.