The University of Alaska Fairbanks published a new report this week that emphasizes the environmental transformations and extremes affecting Alaskans and their way of life. Titled ‘Alaska’s Changing Environment,’ this report offers relevant, trustworthy, and accessible insights on various subjects, including changes in temperature and precipitation, as well as the status of salmon and polar bears.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks published a new report (https://uaf-accap.org/alaskas-changing-environment/) this week that emphasizes the environmental transformations and extremes affecting Alaskans and their way of life.
“Alaska’s Changing Environment” provides relevant, trustworthy, and accessible insights on various subjects, including changes in temperature and precipitation, as well as the status of salmon and polar bears.
The Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy at the UAF International Arctic Research Center spearheaded the report, with insights from over 40 scientists and Indigenous experts from across the state. This is the second edition of “Alaska’s Changing Environment,” which first came out in 2019. The original report became a valuable resource for educators, scientists, journalists, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding and discussing the climate and environmental shifts affecting the state.
In the five years since the initial report was published, there has been an increase in the frequency of extreme weather, climate, and environmental events. The State of Alaska has declared nearly 35 weather- or climate-related disasters, which is roughly double the total from 2014 to 2019. Twelve of these were classified as federal disasters. From deadly landslides in Southeast Alaska to Typhoon Merbok along the Bering Sea coast, every area of the state has experienced the impact.
“Alaska’s Changing Environment” refreshes key long-term climate trends and underscores the changes and effects that have either emerged or intensified in the last five years.
While the report encompasses nearly two dozen topics, the following four developments may particularly resonate with Alaskans.
Warmer, especially in winter
It is widely accepted that Alaska has become warmer since the time of our parents, but just how much warmer? Alaska’s Changing Environment breaks down the warming trend by region and season. Overall, the state has seen a temperature increase of over 3°F in the past 50 years; however, the most significant changes have occurred during winter. The northern region of the state is now an impressive 8.2°F warmer, while in Southeast Alaska, where seasonal changes are less pronounced, winter temperatures are on average 2.5°F higher.
Changing precipitation
Precipitation patterns are shifting in both summer and winter across Alaska. The last five summers have been particularly wet. In Southeast Alaska, this recent wet trend aligns with long-term patterns. Conversely, Northwest Alaska has seen a drying trend, but since 2019, rainfall has been 1.5 times the 50-year average. Moreover, much of Alaska is experiencing rain taking the place of snow in autumn, and in some regions, there is an increased incidence of freezing rain during mid-winter. Overall, spring is arriving earlier, and the snow season is now about two weeks shorter than it was 25 years ago.
Extreme events are increasing
Alaska is witnessing more frequent and intense extreme events like avalanches, landslides, floods, and coastal storms. In the past nine years, there have been four deadly landslides. In 2022, Typhoon Merbok harshly impacted Alaska’s western coast, affecting 40 communities. Three consecutive years of severe snowstorms have left Anchorage residents overwhelmed. Additionally, temporary lakes blocked by the Mendenhall Glacier have caused record-breaking floods in Juneau for the past two years.
Salmon highs and lows
Since 2020, Alaska’s salmon stocks have experienced both record highs and lows. In 2022, the Yukon River saw an 80% decrease in king salmon returns compared to the 30-year average and a 90% decline in chum salmon returns to western Alaska. While both species have experienced slight rebounds, their numbers are still well below average. Conversely, Bristol Bay witnessed nearly double the usual sockeye salmon returns in 2022. Furthermore, across the state, all salmon species are maturing at smaller sizes, resulting in smaller and fewer eggs produced by these fish.
The visual and straightforward method employed in “Alaska’s Changing Environment” to convey environmental changes has sparked several related initiatives focusing on specific topics or regional developments in Alaska. To explore the full series and discover more about wildfires, berries, Arctic policies, and changes in the Bering Sea and Yukon Flats, visit the IARC’s website (https://uaf-iarc.org/communicating-change/).
