Alaska Climate Impact Assessment
Findings of the 2006 State Legislative Commission on Global Warming
Alaska finds itself at the leading edge of impacts related to climate change. The State Legislature formed a commission in 2006 assess the effects of these changes.
The Alaska Legislature established the Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission through Legislative Resolve 49 in 2006. The Commission was charged with assessing the affects of climate change on the state with regard to the population, natural resources, economic conditions, and public assets. Members of the Commission included two members from each branch of the Legislature and seven members of the public.
In a press release announcing submission of the final report to the Legislature, Alaska Representative Reggie Joule said, "Climate change for rural and coastal Alaskans is something we cannot ignore, and we must work in harmony among tribal and federal agencies to make sure increasing potential commercial fishing and shipping needs can dovetail with our diverse cultures."
Scope of Activity - The Commission hosted public meetings in five Alaska communities; Anchorage, Barrow, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Kotzebue. They made site visit to inspect weather damage in Kivalina. Both professional and public testimony was taken and the Commission left the record open for comments by mail, fax or email. A total of 295 people provided testimony for the climate assessment.
Summary of Conclusions - General consensus holds that Alaska is experiencing the leading edge of affects caused by global warming. Key conclusions in the assessment include:
- Alaska's economy is dependent on the extraction of natural resources, industries that are energy intensive. Increased demand and cost of fuel decrease the value of state resources
- Many people in Alaska depend on wildlife for recreational, commercial, and subsistence purposes. Climate change is changing migratory patterns and distribution of forage plants. Fisheries are being impacted by the migration of new species into warmer waters
- Coastal communities are being threatened by increased beach erosion caused by a lack of protective sea ice. Many rural villages are not prepared to adapt to these influences or relocate their communities
- Development of natural resources like natural gas and oil may become more difficult. Melting permafrost can damage infrastructure and exploration depends on solidly frozen ground in the winter to avoid damage to the underlying tundra
- A warmer climate means drier conditions for state forests. Trees are expected to grow less, be more susceptible to insect damage, and wildfires will increase in frequency
- Coastal ecosystems are experiencing changes due to the shift in climate. More research will required if state agencies are expected to have the tools needed to effectively manage the coastal environment. This includes risks like tsunamis, coastal inundation, and ocean acidification
Commission Findings - A complete copy of the assessment report is available from the Alaska State Legislature. Quoting the report, "The Commission found that climate change presents unavoidable challenges to the citizens of Alaska. There will be new responsibilities for the State of Alaska and public entities, and there will be responsibilities for private interests which individuals must accept. Certainly the economics are a key factor in these challenges. Successful adaptation strategies that recognize the environmental, cultural, and economic factors will be the keys to reducing the adversity of climate change."
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