Alaska Climate Change Compact

For your consideration: Should Kodiak join this statement?

Alaska Coastal Communities Global Climate Change Compact

Alaska has more miles of coastline than all the rest of the United States. The vast majority of our state’s residents call our coastal communities home. These communities generate billions in economic activity. From Metlakatla to Kaktovik, people have lived along Alaska’s vast coast for thousands of years and depended on rich biological ocean resources for survival. Today, the cultural identity and survival of Alaska’s coastal communities still depend on the ocean resources that support commercial fishing, tourism, recreation and subsistence.

We, the undersigned Alaskan local and regional governments and elected officials, express our deep concern about human-induced global climate change and ocean acidification and issue a call to policymakers to take strong and immediate action to prevent catastrophic impacts from greenhouse gas emissions. We recognize the validity of the following statements:

1. Global climate change represents one of the greatest threats of our time. The Intergovernental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s leading scientific body on this subject, has presented compelling evidence of climate change’s dangerous effects and has recommended steps to avoid them. The IPCC has called on nations to collectively curtail greenhouse gas emissions to ensure that atmospheric concentrations peak no later than 2015 and decline 80 percent by 2050, compared to 2000. The IPCC has concluded with 90 percent confidence that today’s climate changes are attributable to human activity, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels.

2. Ocean acidification is caused by increased carbon dioxide concentrations from the burning of fossil fuels and is accelerating. The daily uptake of over 22 million tons of carbon dioxide into the ocean is causing ocean acidification and threatens many forms of marine life by decreasing the ability of certain organisms to build their shells and skeletal structures. Ocean acidification has the potential, within decades, to severely affect marine organisms, food webs, biodiversity and fisheries.

3. Global climate change and ocean acidification threaten communities in Alaska. Because high latitude regions of the earth are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of global climate change, Alaska has been described as “ground zero” for climate change. Coastal erosion, thawing permafrost, and spruce bark beetle infestations are evidence of climate change in Alaska. In addition, ocean acidification threatens the fisheries that provide food, jobs, and cultural identity to many Alaskans, particularly in coastal communities.

4. Alaskan coastal communities are important to the nation, and Alaska can play a role in addressing climate change and ocean acidification. Alaska produces more than half of the seafood caught in the United States. Alaska also has potential to mitigate climate change and ocean acidification, through development and export of renewable energy technologies that can be used throughout the developing world.

5. There are compelling economic arguments to act now. Positive economic development and diversification of Alaska’s economy will be associated with addressing climate change in the state. Furthermore, the economic costs of inaction will be far greater than the costs associated with immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with IPCC recommendations.

6. The United States has an obligation to take a leadership role in addressing global climate change. With only 5 percent of the world’s population, the United States produces approximately 25 percent of the world’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.

7. For the well-being of current and future generations, immediate action must be taken at all levels of government and throughout society to address global climate change and ocean acidification. Given the seriousness of these problems, policies and programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions must constitute a priority when allocating government resources.

We hereby express support for the following policies, actions and initiatives:

1. At the national level, immediately enact climate legislation that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet or exceed the goals recommended by the IPCC; e.g., 80 percent reduction from 2000 levels by 2050.
2. Reengage at the national level in the international process of dealing effectively with global climate change.
3. At the national and state levels, enact legislation and fund initiatives that will dramatically increase energy efficiency and the production of renewable energy.
4. Utilize a significant portion of the proceeds from national cap-and-trade legislation, carbon tax, or other sources to fund initiatives in Alaska that will:

- develop renewable energy resources, improve energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, etc., in all sectors of the economy
- increase public knowledge of issues related to greenhouse gas emissions,
- create a skilled workforce for a new clean-energy economy
- help vulnerable communities adapt to unavoidable climate-related impacts
- protect or rebuild infrastructure that is threatened by climate impacts
- enhance research in the area of ocean acidification
- enhance research in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

We further express our commitment to:
1. network with other Alaskan coastal communities on the issues of climate change and ocean acidification;
2. encourage actions within our own communities to mitigate climate change and ocean acidification and adapt to unavoidable changes;
3. make wise and effective use of resources provided by the state and federal governments for such actions; and
4. support community efforts to educate the public on these issues.

Signatories:
City and Borough of Sitka
City of Homer
City of Petersburg
City of Dillingham
City of Gustavus
Kenai Peninsula Borough

Celebrating International Climate Change Action Day: 'A Sea Change'

On Thursday, October 15, at 6pm at the refuge visitor center downtown AMCC will sponsor a showing of the movie

“A Sea Change” by John Pierre Gattuso. Kodiak scientist Bob Foy is a leader in Ocean Acidification Research and will be present to answer questions after the showing. Don’t miss this!! Bring the family.

Here is a review excerpt from Southern Fried Movies:
Stop whatever you are doing and immediately make plans to go see “A Sea Change”. Why are you still reading this review? Ok, if you need convincing, read on, but it will be time you could have spent seeing one of the best environmental documentaries of all time.

“A Sea Change” is about ocean acidification, which could well be the worst problem you’ve never heard of. This was one of the first major screenings- another was earlier this week at the U.N.

The movie follows a retired history teacher named Sven Huseby as he travels the world learning about this problem. This style is unique and works very well- he isn’t a scientist, he’s a regular guy who is concerned and is trying to learn from the experts.
________________________________________


Thank you,

Switgard


To learn more about the International Day of Action on Climate Change go to http://www.350.org/

Alaska Bioneer's Conference October 16-18

2009 Bioneer Workshop Session Schedule
( Subject to change )
Saturday October 17th
http://www.sustainak.org/conference/conf_index.htm

(Donna Jones will be representing Sustainable Kodiak as an invited speaker at the Saturday Community Sustainability Workshop.)

Session A: 9:00-10:30

1. Read Your Body; Heal Your Body
Dr. Tatiana Riabokin
2. Ask, Don’t Tell (Mother Nature)
Ellen Vande Visse
3. Ionia: Community As The Root Cause of Eco-Crisis/Eco Healing
Ted Eller & Bill Johnson
4. Energy Retrofit
Scott Waterman
5. Urbanic Gardening
Kate Nilsson & Corey Brause

Session B: 10:45-12:15

1. Health Impacts of Oil Development on Rural Alaska
Rosemary Ahtuangaruak
2. The Medicine Wheel: Co-Creation is a Way of Life
Liz Holmgren
3. Community Sustainability
Bill Hall & Rich Seifert
4. Neighbor to Neighbor
Linda Tannehill
5. Part I Energy Efficiency – Reduce your use.
Andy Baker,PE, Philip St. John, MD, & Lee Bolling

Sunday October 18th

Session C: 9:00-10:30

1. Family Relations: It’s all alive, it’s all intelligent, it’s all relatives… and how is it that we communicate?
Nancy Lee-Evans
2. Permaculture in Alaska
Saskia Eslinger & Sharon Ferguson
3. Growing Communities through Community Gardens
Julie Riley
4. Interactive Theatre for Activists, Educators & Other Concerned Citizens
Gabrielle Barnett
5. Hanging by a Thread; A Case for Energy Conservation
Nils Andreasson, Carol Heyman, & Nick Szymoniak
6. Part 2 Renewable Energy - Produce your own
Philip St. John, MD & Andy Baker, PE

Plastic Bags and Bottled Water

Here are two news clippings of interest to Kodiak residents. We can we do something similar in Kodiak. Anyone interested in starting a grassroots effort?

NEWS: FAIRBANKS APPROVES PLASTIC BAG TAX
The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly has approved a 5-cent tax on plastic bags to reduce litter. Money from the tax will go directly into a fund reserved for recycling programs as they develop. The ordinance is intended to cut waste and create an economic incentive toward reusable bags. The bag tax automatically applies to a few dozen major retailers across town.
Source: The Associated Press (Sept. 2009)

NEWS: CITY OF SEATTLE STOPS BUYING BOTTLED WATER
Seattle joins a growing list of cities that either discourage or ban the use of city funds to buy bottled water. The City of Seattle will no longer buy bottled water in order to cut down on waste, says Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. In doing so, the city could save up to $58,000 a year. The mayor's spokesman added that Seattle has one of the best municipal; water supplies in the country, and that in terms of financial and environmental costs, "It's a pretty clear choice that using city water is a much better choice."
Source: The Seattle Times (March 2008)

Thanks to Marion Owen!

Eco-tourism in Kodiak

Local tour operators Harry and Brigid Dodge have qualified! They will be reporting briefly at the Sept. 25 Sustainable Kodiak meeting (6:30 pm at Kodiak College) on eco-tourism certification and encouraging anyone who does charters, tours, and trips to certify their own businesses.

Here are some excerpts: Adventure Green Alaska: Tourism Certification Program
Your guide to sustainable tourism in Alaska! http://www.adventuregreenalaska.org/

"Are you thinking about a trip to Alaska but want to use tourism businesses that care for the environment, are sensitive to Alaska's Native cultures and rural way of life, and are good community citizens? Are you confused by the multitude of companies that describe their business as "green" or "ecotourism"? We created Adventure Green Alaska (AGA) for people like you."

Business Spotlight

Kodiak Treks, owned and operated by Brigid and Harry Dodge

The key to Kodiak Treks success has been maintaining a focus on the health of the environment and wildlife species that attract our guests. Balance is critical since we aim to share the beauty of Kodiak Island with nature enthusiasts from around the world while minimizing impact on bears, other animal species, and the entire ecosystem that supports them. We strive to instruct guests how to behave respectfully in bear country as opposed to trying to train bears to accept human presence for our own economic gain.

By offering a small-group experience (6-guest maximum) we are able to closely manage each group and spend time with our guests in a personal setting. The small group design also allows us to run the lodge on solar power and minimize fossil fuel consumption.

Kodiak Treks Sustainability Principles:

* Minimizing impact on wildlife
* Small group and staff size
* Education-based program
* Investment in local community
* Relationships with land managers

Congratulations and thanks to the Dodges for leading the way to a new area of sustainable business and life in Kodiak!

September 25 Meeting Announcement

Don’t miss our first fall meeting, Friday September 25 at 6:30 pm, Kodiak College room 130.
Please send in any announcements or agenda items to djones@kodiak.alaska.edu

Sustainable Kodiak Presents:
Alaska renewable energy in action-
Chena Hot Springs:
Geothermal Power Plant
Various energy projects, a fabulous greenhouse, and more!
Film and first fall meeting
Friday, September 25, 6:30 pm ~ Kodiak College, room 130
Please come join us!

Kodiak Turns out to Testify to AK Senate Energy Committee

Many thanks to the Kodiak Daily Mirror and writer Bradley Zink for good coverage!

http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=7931

Excerpts:
By 5:30 p.m., the senators were back in town at the Borough Chambers to hear testimony from locals about problems and possible solutions to Alaska’s energy woes. The session lasted slightly more than an hour.

Borough Mayor Jerome Selby spoke first, speaking in favor of retrofitting public facilities with updated equipment. He specifically mentioned Kodiak High School and said better equipment in public facilities would be more energy efficient and fuel-efficient.

“(Retrofitting) public buildings is a little bit daunting, in terms of costs,” Selby said. “But we would think that our view is that would be kind of another piece of improving energy use and efficiency in the state of Alaska.

“It’s not only the (energy) generation side, but how we get more efficient equipment and maybe bring down the costs and the amount that we use. More generation from renewables brings down how much we have to use – the combination of that, I think somewhere in there, lies the best formula for Alaska.”

Laine Welch, syndicated columnist on fisheries issues, urged the senators to reconsider developing the Chuitna coal mine, approximately 45 miles west of Anchorage in the Upper Cook Inlet. She said taking coal from the area would hamper traditional setnet sites with eminent domain and negatively affect fish habitats.

“Every bit of this coal, which is the largest source of greenhouse gases, every bit of it is going to Asia,” Welch said. “It’ll be burned in Asia and come back in the form of carbon dioxide, which will be dumped into the Pacific Ocean.

“The chemistry doesn’t lie: The cold waters of the Bering Sea and the Pacific, and our waters, are already showing the signs of ocean acidification. We would be getting back this tradeoff in the Upper Cook Inlet for this strip coal mine in methyl mercury in our waters.”

When told the coal at Chuitna is low-sulfur and would replace higher-sulfur coal, she said that still would make no difference in her opinion.

Welch also commented on algae biofuels, which promise energy efficiency and produce lower emissions. She also mentioned the “right to dry” movement that advocates the use of clotheslines instead of electric or gas dryers. She said in some places in the U.S. clotheslines are banned, so people have no choice but to use a dryer. If this were remedied the country could lower by a few percentage points the output of carbon dioxide that is contributing to global warming.

“Since the 1970s, clotheslines have been banned by development restrictions in most of the United States … I know sometimes (using clotheslines) it’s not possible or practical,” Welch said. “Just keep in mind that with today’s kids, we have two generations of kids that don’t even know the smell of line-dried laundry.”

Donna Jones, of Sustainable Kodiak, mentioned University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Rich Seifert, who presented earlier this summer at a local meeting the idea of investing some Permanent Fund Dividend money toward making permanent statewide infrastructure changes for sustainable energy.

Jones also said the Legislature should expand the energy efficiency rebate program for homes, possibly extending it for nonprofits, public buildings, businesses and apartment buildings. She suggested a smaller state rebate option for those who can’t do their whole house, because retrofitting everything is difficult and expensive.

“If you have just a small (rebate), people would get started,” Jones said. “And once people get started, it’s like eating cookies — you don’t want to stop. They start to see that they’re saving money. I suggest a small cookie rebate.”

Jones also said, “Super insulation is a really good choice, especially for some of those remote villages where they’re having to fly in (heating) oil. That’s crazy, and it’s also expensive and a hardship on those people. It would pay off many times by permanently reducing these oil costs.”

Jones commented on protecting Alaska’s already limited amounts of farm and ranch land.

“Alaska is at the end of the supply chain for the United States,” Jones said. “We’re really far away. We need to keep some of this food-growing farmland available.”

Rod and Laurie Murdock testified, urging the use of more energy-efficient “gadgets” for offices, which has saved them money, and more recycling, bicycle and mass transit usage, and driving less — all to reduce the amount of fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions.

They said they were concerned about Kodiak’s current lack of a public mass-transit bus system.

Realtor and former Kodiak Mayor Bob Brodie also suggested expanding the energy-rebate program to apartment buildings, making the option available to lower-income residents who typically rent and do not own homes.

Kodiak Island Borough Assemblywoman Judy Fulp stressed the importance of energy-saving ideas in Alaska.

“I think besides oil development, fishing and tourism, this is the most important thing we can do in the state,” Fulp said.

Switgard Duesterloh, a fisheries biologist in Kodiak also involved with expanding science education in Kodiak schools, testified on ocean acidification caused by increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. She said America is using higher rates of fossil fuels compared to other industrialized nations and urged more small energy-efficient costsaving measures to solve problems, even one streetlight using solar energy.

“We need to stop using fossil fuels that haven’t been used yet,” Duesterloh said. “What I mean by that is the whole problem of the increased (carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere comes from us digging up fossil fuels that have been deposited for a long, long time by nature and were not meant to be in the cycle. We disrupted the cycle of life by bringing up these fossil fuels.”

Duesterloh suggested using bio-fuels, calling them a better long-term solution by not increasing carbon dioxide. She mentioned a project that turns plastics into diesel fuels.

Stosh Anderson, a commercial fisherman and KEA board member, urged the use of electric vehicles.

“I foresee that with the battery technology going to improve that we’re going to have ongoing electric vehicles in this state,” Anderson said. “What that means is the utilities for both space heating and electric vehicles are going to have an increased demand, and that demand means we’re going to have a capital investment.”

Pat Holmes testified on the need not to disregard Alaska’s numerous small and remote villages, primarily with Alaska Natives. He said legislators should see their difficult conditions first-hand in the winter.

“In your respect, you’re coming here in September. That’s a nice thing to do, but it’s a whole lot different out in Perryville or Atka or Quinhagak in January,” Holmes said. “I’d like you to reflect in your statewide approach to not forget the Bush because it’s a very integral part of our state and our nation as far as resource production. And, the folks that live there are darn special.”

He said the home energy audits needed to receive the energy rebates should be available to residents of villages, too.

“How do you get somebody to do an energy audit if you live in Karluk or Akhiok or Perryville? Pretty darn hard,” Holmes said.
* * * * * *

Thanks to all who attended and to all who spoke!