Public Lands in Alaska 200 million acres of federal land - Over 57 Million acres of Wilderness more than half the Wilderness in the entire nation
alaskawild.org
Ground Zero for Climate Change Over the past 50 years, Alaska has warmed at more than twice the rate of the rest of the United States average. Its annual average temperature has increased 3.4 F, while winters have warmed even more, by 6.3 F As a result, climate change impacts are much more pronounced than in other regions of the United States.
Glacial Retreat Portage Glacier - South Central, Alaska 1914 2004 Alaska has lost 400 billion tons of land ice since 2003 (NASA 12/08) The rapid retreat of Alaska s glaciers represents 50% of the estimated mass loss by glaciers through 2004 worldwide (ACIA 2004)
Melting Sea Ice Impacts in Alaska 1. Melting Arctic sea ice is melting so fast most of it could be gone in 30 years. A new analysis of changing conditions in the region, using complex computer models of weather and climate, says conditions that had been forecast by the end of the century could occur much sooner. (NOAA April 2009) Global Warming: The Greatest Threat 2006 Deborah L. Williams 2000 2040
Storms and Shoreline Erosion 184 communities are at risk from flooding and erosion (GAO estimate) Some shorelines have retreated more than 1500 feet over past few decadesin the Arctic erosion rates have double over the past 50 years Newtok lost 2-3 miles in 40 years In a single storm in 1997, Shishmaref lost 125 feet of beach 12:37 PM October 8, 2002 2:32 PM Shishmaref Photos courtesy Nome Nugget, from arctic.noaa.gov
Permafrost Thawing Damage to infrastructure, lakes, rivers, and forests Rising sea levels Release of stored carbon (methane and CO 2 ) Vladimir Romanovsky photo
Caribou Impacts in Alaska 2. Animals The Western Arctic Caribou Herd shrank by 113,000 (more than 20%) between 2003 and 2007; mid-winter warm spells may have played a role (AP 5/08) Since 1989, the Porcupine Caribou Herd has declined at 3.5% per year to a low of 123,000 animals in 2001 (ACIA 2004) Freezing rain coats lichen Changing rivers Less tundra
Polar Bears alaskawild.org The US Geological Survey predicts that by 2050, 2/3 of the world's polar bears will disappear, including the entire US population Shifting denning sites: 62% on ice (1985-94); 37% on ice (1998-2004) (Fischbach et al., 2007) The Coastal Plain holds largest concentration of on- land denning sites on the continent
Alaska Waterfowl Sea-level rise, increased storm frequency and intensity, and wetland drying will likely cause dramatic changes in waterfowl communities Impacts in Alaska 2. Animals Cackling Hatchlings Birds that travel to the Arctic in the summer are also vulnerable, with a number of such species losing 50% of their breeding area during this century. Aleutian Cackling Geese White Front Goose on Nest Brandt Geese
A Comprehensive Approach to the Arctic alaskawild.org Establish an interagency task force to support development of an Arctic conservation plan To develop a comprehensive plan, it will be necessary for the new Administration to gather all key agencies whose authority and programs affect the Arctic into an interagency Arctic Task Force. In conjunction with input from local Arctic communities, this Task Force would begin the process of reassessing existing Arctic Ocean and NPRA leasing, developing precautionary fishing and shipping plans and standards, establishing mitigation measures for areas in which development occurs, and evaluating areas for permanent protection.
Initiate a comprehensive assessment of Arctic ecosystems A plan for the Arctic must begin with a comprehensive assessment of the health, biodiversity, and functioning of the Arctic ecosystems, including the impacts of industrial activities. The first step in such an assessment would be for the new Administration to require the preparation of a gap analysis and research plan prepared by an independent entity such as the NRC. Designate areas for administrative and legislative protection Once the science is there, we must fill in the gaps to achieve a full range of protected areas that represent the panoply of Arctic flora and fauna, both on shore and in the marine environment. Areas must be conserved at the scale necessary to accommodate impending ecological change and allow important systems and species the best chance of adapting to climate change.
Alaska Wilderness League is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation founded in 1993 to further the protection of Alaska s amazing public lands. The League is the only Washington, D.C.-based environmental group devoted full-time to protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other wilderness-quality lands in Alaska. The League exists to lead the effort to preserve Alaska s wilderness by engaging citizens, sharing resources, collaborating with other organizations, educating the public, and providing a courageous, constant and victorious voice for Alaska in the nation s capital.