Global Warming News from Alaska
January 31, 2007
Reporting from The Front Line

Dear Friends,

With respect to global warming, 2007 is starting out with a bang. As a result, this is an especially robust monthly report.

As described in more detail below, members of Congress have filed numerous important bills to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including legislation by Senator Stevens and a related bill by Senator Murkowski. Alaska State legislators have also introduced several positive proposals in Juneau. Simultaneously, very large, influential companies are demanding mandatory, comprehensive legislative action.

Administratively, the Department of Interior is accepting comments on its proposal to list polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act primarily because of global warming.

More generally, the evidence regarding global warming is becoming increasingly pervasive and alarming – record temperatures, collapsing arctic ice shelves, the first submerged inhabited island, shrinking Himalayan glaciers, and the dislocation of polar bear denning sites -- but there is more hope than ever that our political and business leaders will take action, especially as our informed insistence mounts.

Alaska and Arctic Global Warming News - The Latest Evidence and Developments

Polar Bear Denning Dislocations

Alaska polar bears have shifted their denning sites dramatically from sea ice to land.

• In a study conducted by USGS scientists, the evidence shows that the percentage of Alaska polar bear dens on sea ice was 62% between 1985-1994, but then dropped to only 37% on sea ice from 1998-2004 (Associated Press 1/23/07).
• In the study's abstract, the scientists stated: "We hypothesize that this landward shift was a response to reductions in stable old ice, increases in unconsolidated ice, and lengthening of the melt season, which have likely reduced the availability and quality of pack ice denning habitat."
• Of particular concern, the scientists further observed, "If these sea ice trends continue, as predicted, we expect the proportion of polar bears denning on coastal habitats will continue to increase, until such time as the autumn ice retreat precludes offshore pregnant females from reaching the Alaska coast in advance of denning."

Comments Sought on Proposed Polar Bear Listing under the Endangered Species Act

On January 9, the US Fish and Wildlife Service published their outstanding proposed rule to list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

• The public has 90 days in which to comment (deadline April 9). Comments can be submitted electronically at Polar_Bear_Finding@fws.gov or mailed in hard copy to Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management Office, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503.
• The proposed rule specifically states: "After review of all available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the polar bear as a threatened species under the Act is warranted….The Service seeks data and comments from the public on this proposed listing rule."
• To see Alaska Conservation Solution's alert, with relevant polar bear data, click here.

Massive Arctic Ice Shelf Severed

Scientists have recently announced that a huge ice sheet in the Canadian Arctic broke free in 2005.

• The giant ice sheet, equivalent in size to 10,000 football fields or Manhattan Island, was attached to the coast of Ellesmere Island about 500 miles south of the North Pole. It broke free very suddenly in the early afternoon of August 13, 2005, and drifted a few miles away from land within days. It could threaten oil and gas infrastructure and navigation.
• The remaining ice shelves in Canada are 90% smaller than in 1906.
• This is "consistent with climate change," observes Dr. Vincent (Associated Press 12/29/07).

Several Bills Introduced in Juneau Related to Emission Reductions

Juneau legislators have introduced several bills that, if enacted, will help reduce emissions in Alaska.

• A bipartisan group of eight legislators introduced, "An Act relating to the alternative energy grant fund and to alternative energy grants." HB 63 establishes a $250 million fund from Alaska's general revenues that can be used to make substantial grants to electric utilities for alternative energy projects.
• Representative Harry Crawford has introduced House Bill 56: "An Act establishing the Hydrogen Energy Partnership" to "facilitate the development of a hydrogen fuel industry in Alaska."
• HB 73 appropriates $24 million from the Railbelt Energy Fund to construct a wind farm on Fire Island and the transmission line to connect this energy source to the Railbelt electric grid.
• To contact your legislator to express support for these bills click here.

Scientist Believes We Can Avoid Losing the Arctic Ice Cap by 2040 If We Reduce Emissions

Last month, the projected loss of the Arctic Ice Cap by 2040 was one of the largest global warming stories in the world (See actual paper). One of the co-authors of the study recently re-emphasized that we have not crossed a tipping point yet, but rather, if we reduce greenhouse gases to 2000 levels, we can save the Ice Cap.

• The models show that "if we fix the greenhouse gas and aerosol levels at year 2000 values and run the model into the 21 st century, the sea ice retreats for only another decade or two and then levels off (some of the ensemble members even recover a little bit)" (Real Climate 1/12/07).

In Brief - Other Alaska and Arctic Global Warming Items of Note

Anchorage Conference to Feature over 20 Global Warming Experts. The 2007 Alaska Forum on the Environment will be held between February 12 and 16 in Anchorage. Because of the significance of climate change to Alaska, the Arctic, and the nation, there will be an entire track on global warming, bringing together over 20 nationally recognized and newsworthy experts to examine this critical issue.

• Experts include: Dr. Richard Feely, pre-eminent ocean acidification scientist; Dr. Robert Corell, internationally acclaimed climate change scientist and Chair of the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment; Terry Tamminen, author and former Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency; and Stephen Roe, Center for Climate Strategies, who will be discussing the just completed inventory of Alaska greenhouse gas emissions. To sign up, click here. See also Alaska Journal of Commerce article 1/14/07.

More Killer Whales in Canadian Arctic. Scientists report that the number of killer whales in Hudson Bay increased dramatically last year from an average of 5 to 10 sightings since the 1980's to about 30 sightings. The Inuit in the region are concerned (AFP 1/20/07).

New Alaska and Arctic websites. We recommend two new websites:

• The remarkable, all-volunteer global warming community group in Sitka, Alaska has launched a wonderfully informative web site at http://www.sitkaglobalwarming.org/ that features valuable information in their five focus areas: energy conservation, home heating, transportation, Alaska statewide issues, and education and outreach.
• Also, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has created an excellent website in association with its exhibit: "Arctic: A Friend Acting Strangely." See: forces.si.edu/arctic.
• Of additional note, Alaska's Patricia Cochran wrote an excellent statement for BBC's Green Room about the impacts of global warming on Alaska Natives (BBC News 1/5/07).

Alaska's "Energy Czar" Urges Conservation of Energy. From his home in Dillingham, Nels Anderson "walks the talk" and uses compact fluorescents, extra insulation on his windows, and an energy efficient water heater. He sees energy conservation, energy efficiency, and alternative energy as crucial to Alaska's energy future (The Bristol Bay Times 1/10/07).

Polar Fish Species Especially Sensitive to Global Warming. In a study involving a species of fish from the North Sea, scientists demonstrated that warming induced deficiency in oxygen uptake and supply to tissues limits fish growth and reproduction. Fish from polar regions have an especially small thermal tolerance window (Science 1/5/07; NASA 1/4/07).

Geothermal Power a Success at Chena Hot Springs. Sixty miles northeast of Fairbanks, Chena Hot Springs is making history by generating power with the coolest temperature geothermal resource (165 F) yet successfully utilized. Working with United Technologies, the Chena geothermal plant illustrates that hard work, dedication, and inspiration can combine to reduce and even eliminate harmful dependence on fossil fuels. Also, a new 2-year study from MIT underscores the tremendous potential of geothermal power, concluding that enhanced geothermal energy could produce enough power to fuel 25 million homes (ScienceNOW 1/23/07).

Key National News

Flurry of Excellent Global Warming Federal Legislation Introduced

In January alone, two major pieces of comprehensive global warming legislation have been introduced, in addition to legislation targeting specific sectors.

Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act, primary sponsors: Senators Sanders and Boxer (S.309); co-sponsors: Senators Leahy, Kennedy, Menendez, Lautenberg, Reed, Akaka, Inouye, Feingold, Whitehouse. This outstanding legislation requires a series of strategies, including cap and trade and increased energy efficiency standards, to achieve an 80% reduction in emissions below 1990 levels by 2050 (See summary).

Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act (S.280); primary sponsors: Lieberman-McCain; co-sponsors: Senators Obama, Snowe, Lincoln, Collins. This excellent legislation, which is greatly expanded from previous versions, promotes a series of strategies, including cap and trade, increased energy efficiency and alternative energy (with nuclear power), to achieve over a 65% reduction from 2004 levels by 2050 (See summary).

CAFÉ and Other Enhancements. Stevens (S.183) and Murkowski (S.298). Senator Stevens introduced a bill that would increase automobile fuel efficiency from 27 to 40 miles per gallon, if EPA determines that the benefits of this action outweigh the costs. Senator Stevens stated: "By increasing fuel efficiency, we will reduce greenhouse gases," noting that the transportation sector contributes roughly one third of all greenhouse gas emissions (See Stevens's press release).

REFRESH Act. In a separate, but complementary bill, Senator Murkowski has introduced the Renewable Energy, Fuel Reduction, and Economic Stabilization and enHancement Act of 2007 (REFRESH Act). This legislation provides for: truth in testing for automobile fuel efficiency standards; increased tire resistance standards; grants to encourage a reduction in traffic congestion; and tax credits and appropriations for geothermal energy, ocean energy, and plug-in hybrid electric-combustion engine vehicle development. Notes Senator Murkowski, "In Alaska, we have certainly seen firsthand the effects of a warming climate in recent years.... This bill includes vital measures we must take to reduce fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions" (See Murkowski's statement).

H.R. 6 passes. By a vote of 264-163, H.R. 6 passed the House. It shifts $14 to $15 billion in oil subsidies to clean energy and energy efficiency efforts (AP 1/19/07).

2006 Hottest Year for Continental US; Government Cites Global Warming

Based on data from a network of over 1,200 weather stations, NOAA announced that 2006 was the hottest year on record for the contiguous US, 2.2 F above the 20th Century mean.

• After discussing El Nino, NOAA officially stated for the first time: "A contributing factor to the unusually warm temperatures throughout 2006 also is the long-term warming trend, which has been linked to increases in greenhouse gases….the rate of warming has accelerated over the past 30 years, increasing globally since the mid-1970's at a rate approximately three times faster than the century-scale trend." (NOAA News Online).
• The Chief of the Climate monitoring branch of NOAA further stated: "People should be concerned about what we are doing to the climate. Burning of fossil fuels is causing an increase in greenhouse gases, and there's a broad scientific consensus that it is producing climate change." (Washington Post 1/10/07).

Congressional Hearings Reveal Commitments and Concerns

On January 30, Congress held two important hearings regarding global warming.  

• In the Senate, Chairman Boxer heard testimony from 33 Senators regarding the impacts of climate change, as well as solutions. Senators offered a spectrum of solutions, including the need to increase the use of renewable energy. Senator Murkowski observed that the impacts from climate change are readily observable in Alaska. (SF Chronicle 1/30/07)
• In the House, Representative Waxman, Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, explored the Administration's mistreatment of climate change scientists.Several scientists testified that the Administration tried to impede the communication of global warming science to the public and to Congress. Also, the Union of Concerned Scientists presented a startling study based on a survey of federal climate scientists, as well as interviews and documents (MSNBC 1/30/07). Reporting 435 instances of political interference in federal scientist work over the past five years, the study observed that it has been very common for federal scientists to be pressured to remove references to global warming from documents, for global warming related references to disappear from Web sites, and for their work to be modified to misrepresent their findings (UCS Study).

In Brief – Other National News of Note

Military seeks to reduce fossil fuel use. The Wall Street Journal published a very interesting article on proposed efforts by the military to reduce fuel use. For example, "today almost 9% of the electricity used by military facilities comes from renewable energy sources, and the Pentagon plans to raise that to 25% by 2025" (Wall Street Journal 1/9/07).

Impacts of Global Warming on the State of Washington. A 119-page report on current and projected impacts of global warming on the State of Washington can be viewed at www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/. Concerns include decreased water resources, increased wildfires, flooding, increased asthma, and inhospitable weather for wine growing and dairy production (AP 1/10/07).

Budget Cutbacks and Overruns Harm Global Warming Data Collection Capabilities. According to a distinguished group of experts with the National Research Council, unless certain satellite and other projects are restored, the US will not have adequate data to monitor and respond to climate change (Washington Post 1/16/07).

California to Reduce Fuel Carbon Content by 10% by 2020. Governor Schwarzenegger announced that he will issue an executive order reducing fuel carbon content by 10% by 2020. This represents the first direct regulation of carbon content of fuel in the world (San Francisco Chronicle 1/10/07).

Biggest Wind Contract in US signed. Southern California Edison will generate at least 1,500 megawatts of wind power with an Australian partner in a new wind farm project in California, twice the power of the existing largest US wind power site (Planet Ark 12/27/06).

Exxon Exposed. The Union of Concerned Scientists has produced an extensive study documenting the substantial contributions Exxon made to organizations questioning global warming (UCS Report). Exxon claims that in 2006 it stopped funding the Competitive Enterprise Institute and several other similar organizations (MSNBC).

Wal-Mart Promotes Compact Fluorescents. Wal-Mart hopes to sell 100 million compact fluorescent bulbs/year by 2008, which would save Americans $3 billion in electricity costs and avoid the need to build additional power plants for the equivalent of 450,000 new homes. To find out more about Wal-mart's interesting strategies, read the article from the New York Times 1/2/07.

Study Documents Emission Reductions without Nuclear Power or Coal. Commissioned by the German Aerospace Centre, a study from the Renewable Energy Council and other organizations shows that nearly 80% of electricity in the US can be produced by renewable energy sources, and that CO 2 can be reduced 50% globally and 72% in the US without nuclear power or new coal technologies (See study – 7MB).

Major Corporations Call for National Mandatory Legislation. The U.S. Climate Action Partnership -- consisting of numerous major corporations such as Alcoa, BP, Caterpillar, Duke Energy, DuPont, GE, and PG&E -- has called for "prompt enactment of national legislation in the United States to slow, stop and reverse the growth of greenhouse gas emissions over the shortest period of time reasonably achievable" See http://www.us-cap.org/.

Key International News

IPCC to Issue 4th Assessment Report February 2

Representing the findings of hundreds of the world's climate scientists, and authorized by the United Nations, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will be issuing its much anticipated report on February 2.

• According to a leaked copy of the final draft, the IPCC is going to conclude that warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and that it is at least 90% likely that most of the warming in the last fifty years is human caused by the emission of greenhouse gases. Note: In 2001 the IPCC said it was at least 66% probable (Reuters 1/23/07).
• The draft report predicts that it is at least 90% likely that extreme weather (heat waves, heavy precipitation, and storms) will become more frequent and that the rate of warming between now and 2030 will probably be twice that of the last century.
• Warming will be the greatest in northern latitudes (including Alaska ).
• We will send out the summary of the report to you when it is issued on the 2nd.

Global Warming Claims First Inhabited Island

Rising sea level from global warming has destroyed the first inhabited island in the world: Lohachara, formerly part of India.

• Once home to 10,000 people, the island is now entirely under water. There are numerous additional islands off India's coast that are currently at risk of being entirely submerged. These islands are home to 70,000 people and 400 tigers (Independent 12/24/07).
• In a related story, the Environment Minister of Indonesia predicts that 2,000 islands in Indonesia will be inundated by 2030 (The Hindu 1/29/07).

In Brief – Other International News of Note

Chinese Leader Calls for Emission Reductions. The Vice-Chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission stated that "China plans to reduce its energy consumption per unit of GPD by 20 percent by 2010," and given certain assumptions, "China's carbon emissions will be reduced by 10 percent." China also hopes to increase its use of renewable energy from 7% to 16% by 2020. (Reuters 12/13/06) In related news, China is reporting that global warming will increase temperatures, flooding and droughts, and have adverse impacts on its agriculture and especially grain production." (Reuters 1/28/06).

Melting of Himalayan Glaciers. In the past forty years, Himalayan glaciers in three studied basins have decreased in extent by approximately 21%. Smaller glaciers and icefields declined even more significantly – by 38%. The reduction in smaller glaciers is already having an adverse impact on water availability in Afghanistan. According to a Himalayan geologist, "There you will already see profound drought stress to crops and people, and this will only add to the political uncertainty in the region." (Science Now 1/12/07).

Sweden's Tree Line Moving Upward Dramatically. In the past two decades, Sweden's tree line has moved up by 656 feet in altitude in some places. This is the highest the tree line has ever been in the past 7,000 years. "We can say that 75 percent of the change is due to the emergence of greenhouse gases" noted a Swedish scientist (AFP 1/16/07).

Uncontrolled Global Warming predicted to Destroy Amazonian Rain Forest. In a study funded by the World Bank, the Brazil National Space Research Institute shows that if greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation continue to increase, temperatures in the Amazon region will increase by 5 to 8 degrees and rainfall will decrease 15 to 20%, transforming the rainforest into a savanna-like landscape. However if steps are taken to reduce emissions and deforestation, the rainforest collapse can be avoided (Associated Press 12/29/06).

Multiple Global Warming Wildlife and Vegetation Aberrations in Europe Reported. For an excellent global warming story concerning observed wildlife and plant aberrations in Europe, including the failure of bears in Spain to hibernate, see Independent 12/21/07.

England to Build World's Largest Windfarm. The London Array wind farm, an offshore wind project, will be the world's largest. Together with another licensed windfarm, these two projects will generate enough power to service a third of London's households (Telegraph 12/20/06).

Upcoming Events and Other Announcements

January 29 - February 2

What : Truth on Campus: Rising to the Climate Challenge at UAA
Where : University of Alaska - Anchorage
More Info : http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/sustainability/

February 8

What : Sitka Global Warming Group
Where : Harrigan Centennial Hall, 330 Harbor Drive, Sitka AK
When : 7:00 - 8:30 pm
More Info : www.sitkaglobalwarming.org/home.html

February 12 - 15

What : Alaska Forum on the Environment, Global Warming Track
Where: Egan Center - Anchorage, Alaska
More Info : http://www.akforum.com/

February 13

What : Global Warming Citizens Action Meeting
Where : Alaska Center for the Environment, 807 G Street, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK
When : 6-9:00 pm
More Info : claire@akcenter.org or visit ACE's Myspace account at: www.myspace.com/citizensglobalwarming

February 15

What : Anchorage Round Table on Climate Change
Where : Egan Center
When : 8:30 am - 2:00 pm
More Info : To attend please register at www.akrdc.org/membership/events/special/rsvp.html

April 12-13

What : Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission Hearing
Where : Anchorage Legislative Information Office, 716 W. 4th Ave.
When : All day
More Info : tim_benintendi@legis.state.ak.us

As the evidence continues to mount, there is still hope. Scientists continue to release models indicating that we can avert cataclysmic global warming disasters - such as the melting of the Arctic Ice Cap and the complete deforestation of the Amazon - if we begin reducing emissions significantly now. Indeed, it is time for us to take a stand and demand immediate, meaningful action by Congress and the Administration. Thank you for being part of the solution.