Initial Publication Date: March 8, 2021

2018 NCA Resources for the Alaska Region

Contributors

Regional Chapter Editor:

Lee Frankel-Goldwater, PhD Candidate, University of Colorado, Boulder

Chapter Reviewers, 2018:

Elena Sparrow, IARC/PoLAR Partnership
Katie Spellman, IARC/University of Alaska 
Malinda Chase, AK CASC/University of Alaska 
Lisa Hiruki-Raring, Alaska Fisheries Science Center

NCA Education Resources for the Alaska Region

The National Climate Assessment (NCA) summarizes the impacts of climate change on the United States, now and in the future. This report collects, integrates, and assesses observations and research from around the country, helping us to see what is actually happening and understand what it means for our lives, our livelihoods, and our future. It is important that these findings and response options be shared broadly to inform people and communities across our nation. Climate change presents a major challenge for society. This report advances our understanding of that challenge and the need for the American people to prepare for and respond to its far-reaching implications.

It contains information that will help educators and students gain a deeper understanding of climate science through the Our Changing Climate section, Chapter 26: Alaska, and Chapter 15:Tribes and Indigenous Peoples of the 2018 NCA report and 2017 supporting Climate Science Special Report (CSSR). Engineering is addressed throughout, both from the standpoint of climate change impacts and solutions, however, the Mitigation and Adaptation sections contain the most relevant information. Finally, the Frequently Asked Questions section has useful information as it relates to an Introduction to Climate Change, Climate Science, Temperature and Climate Projections, Climate, Weather, and Extreme Events, Societal Effects, and Ecological Effects.

Chapter Background

"Alaska is the largest state in the Nation, spanning a land area of around 580,000 square miles, almost one-fifth the size of the combined lower 48 United States. Its geographic location makes the United States one of eight Arctic nations. The State has an abundance of natural resources and is highly dependent on oil, mining, fishing, and tourism revenues. Changes in climate can have positive and negative impacts on these resources.

As part of the Arctic, Alaska is on the front lines of climate change and is among the fastest warming regions on Earth. It is warming faster than any other state, and it faces a myriad of issues associated with a changing climate. The retreat of arctic sea ice affects many Alaskans in different ways, such as through changes in fish and wildlife habitat that are important for subsistence, tourism, and recreational activities. The warming of North Pacific waters can contribute to the northward expansion of marine fish species, ecosystem changes, and potential relocation of fisheries. An ice-free Arctic also contributes to increases in ocean acidification (through greater ocean–atmosphere interaction), affecting marine mammal habitat and the growth and survival of fish and crab species that are important for both personal and commercial use. Lack of sea ice also contributes to increased storm surge and coastal flooding and erosion, leading to the loss of shorelines and causing some communities to relocate." (Complete background and related figures available at NCA, 2018, Alaska Chapter)

Using this Guide:

The NCA Education Resources for the Alaska Region features 1) guiding questions, 2) key figures, 3) related chapters from the report, 4) lesson plans, 5) videos for all of the NCA key messages for the region, and 6) related U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit Case Studies.

Teachers can have students explore the toolkit case studies to see how people are building resilience for their businesses and in their communities in the region. This page contains information that will help educators and students gain a deeper understanding of climate science and the implications for the region.

Chapter Table of Contents with Section Links:

Key Message 1: Marine Ecosystems

Key Message 2: Terrestrial Processes

Key Message 3: Human Health

Key Message 4: Indigenous Peoples

Key Message 5: Economic Costs

Key Message 6: Adaptation

Key Message 1: Marine Ecosystems

Alaska's marine fish and wildlife habitats, species distributions, and food webs, all of which are important to Alaska's residents, are increasingly affected by retreating and thinning arctic summer sea ice, increasing temperatures, and ocean acidification.

Continued warming will accelerate related ecosystem alterations in ways that are difficult to predict, making adaptation more challenging.

Sub-categories under this key message:

  • Arctic Sea Ice Continues to Change
  • Ocean Acidification
  • Alaska Fishes

Key Message 2: Terrestrial Processes

Alaska residents, communities, and their infrastructure continue to be affected by permafrost thaw, coastal and river erosion, increasing wildfire, and glacier melt. These changes are expected to continue into the future with increasing temperatures, which would directly impact how and where many Alaskans will live.

Sub-categories under this key message:

  • Permafrost
  • Wildfire
  • Coastal and River Erosion
  • Glacier Change

Key Message 3: Human Health

A warming climate brings a wide range of human health threats to Alaskans, including increased injuries, smoke inhalation, damage to vital water and sanitation systems, decreased food and water security, and new infectious diseases. The threats are greatest for rural residents, especially those who face increased risk of storm damage and flooding, loss of vital food sources, disrupted traditional practices, or relocation. Implementing adaptation strategies would reduce the physical, social, and psychological harm likely to occur under a warming climate.

Sub-categories under this key message:

  • Direct Exposures
  • Indirect Effects
  • Psychological and Social Effects

Key Message 4: Indigenous Peoples

The subsistence activities, culture, health, and infrastructure of Alaska's Indigenous peoples and communities are subject to a variety of impacts, many of which are expected to increase in the future.

Flexible, community-driven adaptation strategies would lessen these impacts by ensuring that climate risks are considered in the full context of the existing sociocultural systems.

Sub-categories under this key message:

  • Subsistence Activities
  • Adaptation Actions

Key Message 5: Economic Costs

Climate warming is causing damage to infrastructure that will be costly to repair or replace, especially in remote Alaska. It is also reducing heating costs throughout the state. These effects are very likely to grow with continued warming. Timely repair and maintenance of infrastructure can reduce the damages and avoid some of these added costs.

Sub-categories under this key message:

  • Infrastructure
  • Ice Road Transportation
  • Marine Vessel Traffic
  • Wildfire Costs
  • Heating Costs

Key Message 6: Adaptation

Proactive adaptation in Alaska would reduce both short- and long-term costs associated with climate change, generate social and economic opportunity, and improve livelihood security. Direct engagement and partnership with communities is a vital element of adaptation in Alaska.

Other Related Resources for the Alaska Chapter

Disclaimer: The National Climate Assessment regional resources for educators is written, edited, and moderated by each regional team of contributors. Posts reflect the views of the regional team themselves and not necessarily Climate.gov, NOAA and USGCRP.