Environment

All Alaska news stories about the environment, climate and weather. Could also include topics like animal die-offs related to the environment.

Alaska not expecting ash from Kamchatka eruption, for now

Shiveluch Volcano's eruption is not expected to create any ash deposits on the ground in Alaska, but that could change.
Fairbanks smoke

Alaska seeks more time to submit air-quality plan for particulate-plagued Fairbanks

The state’s environmental commissioner is pushing back on EPA’s position that the state should address power-plant emissions.
Thousands of walrus crowd a foggy beach near a small hut.

A year after Russia invaded Ukraine, a walrus discovery is caught up in geopolitics

Russian and American scientists have been cut off from collaborating for a year, and Arctic research is suffering.
a tugboat

Price Tagish: As Alaska boats age, who bears the cost?

In Alaska and many other coastal states, the aging of boats presents a costly environmental hazard.
moose

Antibiotic-resistant microbes lurk in poop of Anchorage moose, UAA research finds

Like other animals in the wild, the big animals that roam Alaska’s largest city are carrying bacteria that cannot be killed by commonly used medicines.
A dog team on a snowy day

Alaska musher and reality star Jessie Holmes injured while cleaning up storm damage

Holmes was trapped underneath the pile of plywood, insulation and other building materials.
salmon

Environmental DNA offers scientists a look at salmon’s past and future

Scales and other genetic material can be collected from seawater up to two days after fish leave an area, according to a new paper.

St. Paul Ramps Up Reindeer Program to Improve Food Security

For the last century, reindeer have roamed St. Paul Island without much oversight. But now, the tribal government is stepping up its management style to boost subsistence options and the local economy.

Northwest Alaska in Danger of Storm Surge, Flooding

The worst of the Bering Sea storm is not over. At least for the Northwest part of the state, says the National Weather Service. Meteorologist Don Moore, says the danger now is storm surge and flooding.
three women speaking into microphones

Peltola, Murkowski, FEMA administrator tour Nome storm damage

They also spoke with KNOM in Nome about their reactions to the storm damage, their priorities for recovery and resources available to Alaskans.
William Wells, about to launch a weather balloon on St. Paul Island, Alaska. (KUCB/John Ryan photo)

Alaska weather balloons are key in predicting snow’s fluffiness

As weather watchers will tell you, the snow's fluffiness matters, and predicting it depends on weather balloons.
a ceremony

At water blessing ceremony, Klukwan residents speak out against planned mine

Thursday's gathering of about 150 people at the Klehini River near Haines also included protests against the proposed Palmer Project mine.
a performance

In Fairbanks, renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs composition about impacts of climate change

The world-famous musician performed in a composition last month that gives voice to "a lot of unexpressed grief" over Alaska's loss of salmon.

Alaska tourism threatened as iconic glaciers melt away

As the world’s glaciers retreat, so does the outlook for the Alaska tourism sector. But the pace of that retreat is still in human hands.
a whale in the ocean

NOAA investigates death of whale calf near Juneau

NOAA is still investigating what happened to Tango, but a post-mortem exam on Saturday revealed injuries consistent with a vessel strike.
A view of Eklutna Lake.

Eklutna Hydro Project owners’ plan would return water to most, but not all of Eklutna River

The plan would bypass the dam and send water back down 11 of 12 miles of the Eklutna River. But some want to see the river fully restored.
A giant snowy mountain

Preparations underway for 2024 climbing season on Denali

More than 900 climbers have registered to attempt a summit of Denali this season, with 300 more registered for backcountry climbs.
a woman holds a dip net in the water

Little fish, big tradition: Alaskans embrace the culinary and cultural tradition of hooligan

Locals seek out the oily candlefish to preserve cultural heritage and to create new traditions through food.
a torn-down house

As Nunapitchuk aims to relocate, it has support from powerful allies

Last fall, Nunapitchuk was selected as a testing ground for a new approach to climate-driven village relocation.
a man in a jacket and shirt

As climate change transforms the Arctic, Homeland Security must adapt, official says

The forces of climate change that are reducing ice cover and opening up the Arctic to more activity are making Alaska more important, said Dimitri Kusnezov.