Kavitha George, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Kavitha George is Alaska Public Media’s climate change reporter. Reach her at kgeorge@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Kavitha here.
An influx of chum salmon in the Canadian Arctic could be the same fish missing from Western Alaska
A recent study found that climate change is expanding salmon habitat into the Arctic, but the new fish aren’t exactly welcome in Canada.
8 young Alaskans reignite a court fight over climate change and fossil fuel development
Sagoonick v. State II seeks to block a controversial natural gas project and asks the court to recognize Alaskans’ right to a livable climate.
With a Railbelt natural gas crunch looming, the legislative session had a special focus on energy bills
State lawmakers passed several energy bills this session aimed at updating the Railbelt’s electrical grid and speeding up the transition to renewable energy.
A sea ice monitoring project is a climate adaptation tool for Utqiaġvik whalers
The project partners Western science and Indigenous knowledge to help the community prepare amid declining sea ice.
A bill to support community solar projects in Alaska appears close to becoming law
Community solar projects are small-scale solar farms that local ratepayers can buy into, in exchange for lower electricity bills.
For one Utqiaġvik family, spring bowhead whaling marks an important milestone
The Aaluk Crew landed Utqiaġvik's first bowhead whale of the spring season last week. It was also 17-year-old striker Donald "Button" Adams' first catch.
Biden administration blocks Ambler Road, strengthens protections for NPR-A
Both Alaska senators, Republicans Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, expressed outrage even before the decisions were formally announced.
With a decision on Ambler looming, the Kobuk River makes a list of endangered rivers
Advocates say the Ambler Road and mining projects risk contaminating the Kobuk River watershed and hurting the region’s subsistence species.
Homeland Security funds new Arctic security research center at UAA
The Arctic Domain Awareness Center will receive $46 million to study Arctic geopolitics, commerce, food security and climate change.
Railbelt electric utilities are facing a major energy crunch. Renewables may be the answer.
The region’s electric grid needs to find a replacement for Cook Inlet natural gas. One study suggests over the long term, the cheapest option is to ramp up renewable energy.
Alaska creates climate plan to reduce statewide emissions and fund a wide range of sustainable energy projects
The state identified almost a billion dollars in need for projects that would help lower energy costs for an EPA grant program.
Trees are expanding north in Alaska’s Arctic as a result of sea ice loss
Large areas of open ocean are driving heavy snowfall in the Arctic, which protects trees from harsh northern conditions.
Coal loading equipment in Seward is set to be demolished, likely a permanent end to Alaska coal exports
The Seward coal loading dock has sat idle since 2016 after demand for Alaska coal exports collapsed, one sign of the global energy transition.
Alaska Gov. Dunleavy’s plan to lease land for carbon storage comes with questions
Analysts say estimates that the state could earn hundreds millions from leases are overpromising.
Avalanche near Cooper Landing kills 28-year-old skier
Recent high winds and rapidly changing weather in Southcentral increase the potential for avalanches in the backcountry.
Scientists investigate paralytic shellfish poisoning as possible factor in large marine die offs
Recent testing data from Knik Tribe scientists show paralytic shellfish toxin throughout the food web
Alaska’s Arctic and boreal ecosystems see climate change-driven ‘microbial awakening’
Permafrost thaw is creating opportunities for fungi and bacteria to thrive, transforming northern food webs, according to a new study.
Chugach Electric offers its support for renewable energy benchmarks
A renewable portfolio standard would require Railbelt utilities to ramp up renewables. Chugach is the first Railbelt utility to publicly back it.
Funding to address rural Alaska climate change falls $80M short, report says
The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium's report details how federal and state agencies can work together to protect rural infrastructure.
Alaska lawmakers eye bills on neighborhood solar, green bank and renewable energy benchmarks
There are at least three bills to watch this coming legislative session that are aimed at growing Alaska’s renewable energy production.