Climate Change in Interior Alaska
We are already observing climate change in interior Alaska and scientists project this to continue. University of Alaska research has observed increased average air temperatures in Alaska over the past 40 years. Based on review of all scientific research to date, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change find global climate warming “unequivocal.” Regardless of the initial cause of this warming, even with moderate gas emission scenarios, further temperature increases are projected in Alaska over the next 100 years. Two of the three most extensive fire seasons on record occurred in 2004 and 2005 and increasing temperatures will continue to bring more frequent large fire years. Other expected impacts include changes in vegetation, including potential invasive species and changes in wildlife habitat and migrations. Climate change will also bring economic opportunity. Scientists have already observed a 50% increase in growing season in the interior since 1904 and an increase in favorable weather for tourism. In addition, with increasing energy costs, Borough citizens and businesses will benefit from policy and action to implement cost savings and energy efficiency.
In September 2007, the Borough Assembly passed a resolution to join an international program (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, ICLEI) and follow a five milestone plan to create a climate resilient and sustainable community.
The IIC Climate Change Taskforce is just the arena in which to achieve this goal.
The IIC CCT taskforce will study and assess climate vulnerability in the borough, set and prioritize goals, develop and implement an action plan, and monitor and re-evaluate those actions.
We expect to meet twice monthly from now thru September 2008, with a goal of developing an action plan to present to the public for review.
Our first meeting was February 27, 9-11am at the FEDC Offices, 301 Cushman St., Suite 301.
We have formed subcommittees for topics such as public and private infrastructure, emergency repose preparedness, public health, land use, hydrology, borough administration, tourism and recreation, energy production and demand, and economic impacts and opportunities. These committees are currently doing vulnerability analyses on their respective subject areas in preparation of setting and prioritizing goals.
Join Us!
Anyone wishing to participate in any of the subcommitees and for a listing of the subcommittee meeting times and places, please contact Delaina Storhok at the FEDC offices.
Climate Change Taskforce Update
Mission
The Interior Issues Council Climate Change Task Force is a group of citizens and public employees collaborating to establish and build a sustainable climate resilient community through education, public outreach, and borough-wide actions.
The Situation
We are already observing climate change in interior Alaska and scientists project this to continue. University of Alaska research has observed increased average air temperatures in Alaska over the past 40 years. Based on review of all scientific research to date, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change finds global climate warming “unequivocal.” Regardless of the initial cause of this warming, even with moderate gas emission scenarios, further temperature increases are projected in Alaska over the next 100 years. Two of the three most extensive fire seasons on record occurred in 2004 and 2005 and increasing temperatures will continue to bring more frequent large fire years. Other expected impacts include changes in vegetation, including potential invasive species and changes in wildlife habitat and migrations. Climate change will also bring economic opportunity. Scientists have already observed a 50% increase in growing season in the interior since 1904 and an increase in favorable weather for tourism. In addition, with increasing energy costs, Borough citizens and businesses will benefit from policy and action to implement cost savings and energy efficiency.
Expected climate changes include, but are not limited to be;
In the next century we can expect warmer temperatures, up to an average of 15° F warmer in Dec. and Jan., about 8-10° F warmer in July and August.
In the next 20 years we can expect twice as many 85° F summer days (to about a week total) and then by the end of the century this will double again to almost two weeks of 85 degree days in the summer.
Similarly in the winter, in the next twenty years we can expect the number of days (Dec - Feb) above freezing to increase from 3 to 5 days. By the end of the century, we'll have about 6 days above freezing in this same period, double what we have now.
We can also expect more precipitation year-round, especially late summer. However, because the temps are expected to increase, things will likely still get drier. As a result, we can expect an increase in extreme fire seasons.
We can also expect that flooding will be slightly more likely.
Interior Issues Council Climate Change Task Force 5 milestone plan;
1. Assess the current situation
(We are currently here, and are beginning to work on #2)
2. Prioritize areas that need attention
3. Create an action plan
4. Implement the action plan
5. Monitor the results and make changes as needed |
