Alaska
Alaska
Climate Websites
• Alaska Climate Change Strategy
This is the Alaska’s main website that provides information on its climate change initiatives. The Climate Change Sub-Cabinet advises the Office of the Governor on the preparation and implementation of an Alaska climate change strategy.
• Climate Change in Alaska
This website provides information from the Department of Air Quality on Alaska’s climate change program.
• Joint Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission
The commission was charged with assessing the effects of climate change by focusing on climatology and oceanography; communities, public health, tourism, and resource development; the economy; engineering, construction, and maintenance; and fish, wildlife, and land management.
• Scenarios Network for Alaska Planning (SNAP)
SNAP is made up of scientists and researchers who work on an array of projects at the University of Alaska Fairbanks with data derived from climate models created at scientific centers around the world. Current and future trajectories of climate and other variables are used to develop projections to advise those in policy and management across Alaska and the Arctic.
Climate Documents
Alaska Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Reference Case Projections, 1990-2020
Prepared by the Center for Climate Strategies for the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Alaska’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory, prepared in February 2007, is the first comprehensive look at all potential anthropogenic sources of emissions in the state. Over 40 percent of emissions result from burning carbon based fuels at industrial sources, excluding direct methane emissions from oil, coal and natural gas extraction and production. Also, 40 percent are emitted from rom the transportation sector, mostly from jet fuel consumption. Of the remaining 20 percent, about 7 percent is non-combustion related emissions from the fossil fuel industries, an equal amount from electricity consumption/generation the remaining percentage is divided nearly equally between commercial and residential (non-electrical) energy needs.
Alaska’s Climate Change Efforts with Emphasis on Adaptation
This powerpoint presentation, “Addressing Climate Change in Alaska-Overview and Status of State’s Efforts-With Emphasis on Adaptation Issues,” was presented Sept. 14, 2009, to the U.S. Arctic Research Commission by Jackie Poston of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and the Governor’s Sub-Cabinet on Climate Change Stakeholder Process.
Alaska Climate Change Strategy’s Mitigation Advisory Group Draft Final Report (July 27, 2009)
According to this draft report from the Alaska Climate Change Mitigation Advisory Group recommended 34 policy changes in various sectors to reduce to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from various sectors through 2025. The recommended strategies focus in large part on industrial and commercial sectors, including oil and gas operations.
Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission Final Commission Report (Alaska State Legislature) (March 17, 2008)
According to this report, over the past 30 years, Alaska has experienced a sharp reduction, extent, and duration of snow cover on land and ice coverage on lakes and rivers. Also, mountain glaciers are melting and sea-ice and permaforst is retreating while the depth of summer thaw has increased. To adapt, the report outlines a number of options, including increasing coordination within and outside the state, data collection or assessment, regulatory or programmatic changes, capacity building and education, capital improvements, and financial assistance.
Recommendations from Oil and Gas Technical Work Group to the State of Alaska Governor’s Climate Change Mitigation Advisory Group
The oil and gas technical work group recommendations for reducing emissions, includes “common-sense” measures that minimize fuel consumption, reductions in fugitive methane emissions, improvements in efficiencies for oil and gas fuel burning (power generation) equipment, electrification of oil and gas operations on the North Slope by centralizing power production and distribution, use of renewable energy sources, and actions to increase carbon sequestration.
Climate Action Regional Programs
• The Western Climate Initiative
Formed in February 2007, WCI is taking a multi-sector approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions largely based on California’s climate change cap-and-trade program. While Alaska is not a WCI member, the state is acting as an observer. Arizona, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington are the U.S. state WCI members. British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec are the Canadian partners.
Regional Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs
• The Western Governors Association Western Renewable Energy Zones Initiative
Part of the Western Governor’s Association, the initiative was awarded $12 million by the Department of Energy to assist the 11-member states in planning for new transmission while considering such factors as future demand, a diverse mix of resources, environmental concerns, and greater energy efficiency.