Tag Archives: Climate Change

Time is Short to Comment on Proposed NOAA Arctic Vision and Strategy

By Alan Sorum | Published: 28 November 2011

The Arctic is experiencing some of the world’s most dramatic and rapidly evolving effects from climate change. Increasing air and ocean temperatures, thawing permafrost, loss of sea ice, and shifts in ecosystems are evidence of widespread and dramatic ongoing change. Critical environmental, economic, and national security issues are emerging that affect lives and livelihoods in coastal communities and inland areas across the region. NOAA’s diverse capabilities to address these emerging issues are the backbone of the strategy.

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Stabilizing Greenhouse Gasses Could Slow Loss of Arctic Sea-Ice and Benefit Polar Bears

By Alan Sorum | Published: 1 June 2011

Efforts to stabilize greenhouse gas emission levels combined with reductions in other stress factors related to Polar bears, like pollution, tourism and hunting, could help preserve the species.

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Coastal Erosion Rate Doubles Along Beaufort Seashore

By Alan Sorum | Published: 17 December 2010

The rapidly advancing erosion of shoreline is an obvious threat the existence of coastal villages in Alaska. This threat effects both wildlife habitat and culturally important sites.

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Forest Mushrooms Aid in Alaskan Response to Climate Change

By Alan Sorum | Published: 17 December 2010

There is still much to learn about the interaction of organisms found in high latitude ecosystems. Rising temperatures in the north may not automatically equate to a positive feedback to the soil carbon feedback cycle.

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Alaskan Arctic Could Face Ice-Free Conditions

By Alan Sorum | Published: 17 December 2010

Scientists with the USGS believe sea-surface temperatures that existed during the mid-Pliocene era that were too warm to support sea ice during the summer season.

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Effects of Localized Pollution – Short-lived Pollutants Have Role in Climate Change

By Alan Sorum | Published: 14 December 2010

As an arctic state, it is recognized that Alaska will bear the significant effects of climate change. Extensive beach erosion and disappearing lakes offer clues of coming change. The state worldview of the issue is at times tenuous. While many leaders here deny even the existence of climate change, most will concede change is underway. [...]

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Arctic Summers Could Soon be Ice-Free

By Alan Sorum | Published: 24 November 2009

Currently sea ice covers some 1.8 million square miles of the arctic during the summer season. Recent research expects the ice extent to rapidly decrease over the next 30 years to an average area of 390,000 square miles, which is a much shorter period than previous anticipated. Muyin Wang and James Overland had their study [...]

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