ALASKA
Alaska is at the forefront of climate change. Because of its northern latitude and seasonal changes in sea ice, the state is warming at two to three times the rate of the global average. Rising temperatures can be tied to most of the effects of climate change in Alaska. Mining and burning fossil fuels threaten Alaska’s lands, waters, wildlife, and communities, and also contribute to the warming of the earth’s climate through the release of greenhouse gas emissions.
Our climate modeling suggests a dramatically changing future for Alaska crops by 2100, with frost-free seasons extending not just by days, but by weeks or months; cumulative summer heat doubling or more; and the coldest winter days becoming 10 or 15 degrees less extreme. Alaska blames herself (as does her father) for her mother’s death. This is the main incident that causes Alaska’s subsequent suffering and pain. Her pain further snowballs when she forgets the anniversary of her mother’s death and she feels she has failed her mother yet another time.
Alaska’s population rose in 2022 according to new estimates released by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, marking a second consecutive year of increases after four years of declines. Alaska has had its 17th warmest calendar year in 2022.