Mini research project: Alaska Climate change

The background is a picture I took in Seward, AK

Alaska

Climate change will affect 33% of all properties in Seward alone in just 30 years.

Major Effects

Current Solutions

Heatwaves are causing extensive wildfires expected to raise the burned area from 24% to 169%

Alaska is warming at 2 to 3 times the global average rate! This is due to the amount of ice changing both on land and in the waters of Alaska.

The statewide temperature average is expected to increase between 8 to 14 degrees

Alaska contains only a small portion of our glaciers on earth, Antarctica contains nearly 90% and is also experiencing global warming and melting ice.

Current Solutions

River flooding

• Levees
• Floodwalls
• Dikes
• Dams

Precipitation:

• Floodwalls
• Levees

Coastal:

• Seawalls
• Living Breakwaters

Holgate Glacier photo by: John Brooks

• Global warming affects the entire world by raising global average tempuratures which changes the frozen water around the world. This change results in raising water levels that can overtake entire areas.
• Alaska holds a small percentage of the frozen water in the world but is one of the fastest melting areas. Still contributing to a raise in sea levels and an early indicator of other problem places.
• Alaska is made up of nearly 85% permafrost. If this were to melt the grounds would turn to marshy mudflats causing extensive damage.

Major Effects