Alaska Center for Climate Assessment & Policy: ACCAP Assesses the impacts of climate change in Alaska and provides information and tools to improve the ability of Alaskans to adapt

HIGHLIGHTS

» Alaska Climate Webinars
Next Webinar:

Monday, February 13, 2012; 10-11am Alaska Local Time
ALASKA AND THE NATIONAL CLIMATE ASSESSMENT: THE ALASKA TECHNICAL REPORT
Carl Markon, US Geological Survey; and Sarah Trainor, Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy
The National Climate Assessment (NCA) provides a current report of climate change impacts and vulnerability, evaluates the effectiveness of mitigation and adaptation activities, identifies knowledge gaps, and helps the federal government prioritize climate science investments. It provides the science that can be used by communities around our Nation to create a more sustainable and environmentally-sound plan for our future. Alaska will contribute one of eight Regional Assessment to be included in the 2013 NCA. The purpose of the presentation is to present a draft of the 2013 Alaska Technical Report, and seek public feedback.

» Visit ACCAP at the Alaska Forum on the Environment, in Anchorage February 6-9

Monday - Thursday, come check out our booth, located between the registration desk and the Tikahtnu Ballroom

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 10:30-11:45am - Changing Landscapes: Sea Ice, Snow and Permafrost in Alaska. At this session, you can learn how the findings from a recent Snow, Ice, and Permafrost Hazards workshop will guide future research and collaboration state-wide and provide your input on the design and development of a new digital Sea Ice Atlas.

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 3:30-5pm National Climate Assessment: Alaska Technical Report. Join this for a presentation from the technical writing team, of which ACCAP is a part. We will present the Alaska draft technical report and seek public feedback.

» The 2011-2012 Winter Alaska Climate Dispatch is available on-line
Contents include the 1981-2010 new "normals" explained, an autumn weather review, sea ice update, and upcoming ACCAP events.
Download the Dispatch

» Draft of the National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy available
In response to increasing impacts of climate change and other stressors on America's natural resources, US Congress has called for the development of a national, government-wide strategy to safeguard fish, wildlife, plants, and the natural systems upon which they depend. The Adaptation Strategy is being developed with input from a broad range of federal, state, and tribal partners, with active engagement with non-government organizations, industry groups, and private landowners.
To download the draft report, submit comments, or participate in public information and input workshops and webinars, visit the website.

» New Alaska Climate Science Publication : "Evidence and Implications Of Recent and Projected Climate Change in Alaska's Forest Ecosystems"
The first comprehensive synthesis of climate change impacts on all forested ecosystems of Alaska has recently been published. The paper highlights changes in the most critical biophysical factors of each region. Congratulations to the many scientists, including some from SNAP and ACCAP, that contributed: J.M. Wolken, T.N. Hollingsworth, T.S. Rupp, F.S. Chapin, S.F. Trainor, T.M. Barrett, P.F. Sullivan, A.D. McGuire, E.S. Euskirchen, P.E. Hennon, E.A. Beever, J.S. Conn, L.K. Crone, D.V. D'Amore, N. Fresco, T.A. Hanley, K. Kielland, J.J. Kruse, T. Patterson, E.A.G. Schuur, D.L. Verbyla, and J. Yarie.

» Request for Information for the 2013 National Climate Assessment Report
A formal request for information has been published in the Federal Register seeking information regarding "Technical Inputs and Assessment Capacity Related to Regional, Sectoral, and Cross-Cutting Assessments for the 2013 U.S. National Climate Assessment (NCA) Report and the Ongoing NCA Process." Expressions of interest and inputs targeting the sustained assessment process will be accepted at any time. All inputs targeting the 2013 NCA report are due March 1, 2012. General comments, expressions of interest, and any questions about the content of this request should be submitted to Emily Therese Cloyd, NCA Public Participation and Engagement Coordinator, U.S. Global Change Research Program Office, (202) 223-6262.
Learn more about the NCA in Alaska, ACCAP's role, and how you can participate

» NOAA 2011 Arctic Report Card Released
The 2011 Report Card shows that record-setting changes are occurring throughout the Arctic environmental system. Given the projection of continued global warming, it is very likely that major Arctic changes will continue in years to come, with increasing climatic, physical, biological and socio-economic impacts.

Among the 2011 highlights:

Atmosphere: In 2011, the average annual near-surface air temperatures over much of the Arctic Ocean were approximately 2.5° F (1.5° C) greater than the 1981-2010 baseline period.

Sea ice: Minimum Arctic sea ice area in September 2011 was the second lowest recorded by satellite since 1979.

Ocean: Arctic Ocean temperature and salinity may be stabilizing after a period of warming and freshening. Acidification of sea water ("ocean acidification") as a result of carbon dioxide absorption has also been documented in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas.

Land: Arctic tundra vegetation continues to increase and is associated with higher air temperatures over most of the Arctic land mass.

» New climate change oral history project by Project Jukebox
The 'Stakeholders' project brings rural community members and university scientists into discussions about climate and environmental change in Alaska. The communities of Tanana, Ft. Yukon, and Chalkyitsik are the focus of the effort and interviews are arranged by stakeholder and topic on the website. ACCAP's Sarah Trainor and SNAP's Nancy Fresco contributed to this project. 'Stakeholders' is sponsored by the International Arctic Research Center (IARC) and funded by the National Science Foundation. Project Jukebox is the digital branch of the Oral History Program and provides access to audio and video recordings, transcripts, maps, historic photographs and films from across Alaska.
Browse the Stakeholders project website
View Stakeholders project final poster (7M PDF)

» Promoting Generations of Self-Reliance: Stories and Examples of Tribal Adaptation to Change
This is a new publication prepared by Rachel Lamb, EPA GRO Fellow (Lead Author) and Michelle V. Davis, U.S. EPA Region 10. ACCAP scientist Dr. Philip Loring was a contributor. The document suggests three components for communities to consider when planning for, implementing, and evaluating long-term climate change adaptation goals.
Download the PDF

» New ACCAP and SNAP article in the Western Rural Development Center Newsletter
This issue's theme was Climate Change Adaptations in the Rural West. We submitted the article "Assisting Arctic Inhabitants in Responding to a Changing Climate." We describe climate change adaptation projects and programs designed to improve communication of climate change science to a diverse range of stakeholders in the Arctic. Other articles span the subjects of food security, water resources, agriculture and more.
Read the Article