Alaska

• What happens as sea ice and snow on land melts?


  Darker surfaces are revealed that absorb light
• How does the melting of snow and ice affect permafrost?

  It can lead to more rapid melting of permafrost
• What could be a consequence of the tundra becoming a carbon source?

  It could contribute to climate change
• What did the NOAA report for 2005 state about air temperatures?

  They were the highest since 1900
• How were walruses' habitats affected according to the NOAA report?

  They were negatively impacted by reduced sea ice
• How much has Alaska warmed compared to the global average?

  Twice the rate of the global average
• What is Barrow known for in climate research?

  It has become a focal point for climate research
• What was Barrow selected for in 1973?

  To form an atmospheric baseline for climate change
• By how much has Barrow's average temperature risen since 1973?

  By 3.5°C
• What has happened to CO2 and methane levels in Barrow over the last 40 years?

  CO2 increased by 16% and methane by 5%
• How has the timing of snowmelt changed in Barrow?

  Winter snow now melts 10 days earlier
• What change has occurred regarding winter sea ice in Barrow?

  It is now thinner and arrives later
• What impact has reduced sea ice had on coastal villages?

  Increased coastal erosion has forced relocation
• What new species have been observed in Barrow?

  Insects like spruce beetles and new bird life
• How has the melting of permafrost affected summer lakes?

  Summer lakes have vanished as permafrost melts
• What is the impact of increased temperatures on Alaskan winters?

  Winter temperatures have increased significantly
• What is the projected increase in annual area burned in Alaska by 2050?

  It is projected to double
• How do warmer summers contribute to wildfires?

  They lead to drier conditions and thunderstorms
• What is the impact of wildfires on the caribou food chain?

  Habitat for caribou is negatively affected
• What has happened to Pacific walruses in recent years?

  They crowd onto shorelines due to lack of ice
• What is the social impact of coastal erosion at Kivalina?

  400 people had to relocate at a cost of $100 million
• How does thawing permafrost affect infrastructure costs?

  It increases maintenance costs significantly
• What is the projected cost of maintaining infrastructure due to thawing permafrost?

  Between $3-6 billion by 2030
• How has the number of travel days on permafrost changed since the 1980s?

  It has fallen from 200 to 100 days
• What percentage of the world's mountain glaciers does Alaska hold?

  11%
• How much sea ice are Alaskan glaciers losing annually?

  75 billion tonnes
• What is the impact of increased freshwater from melting glaciers?

  It changes sea salinity and current flow
• What has been the average coastline loss in Alaska's North Slope since 1950?

  1.5m annually
• What is the impact of thawing permafrost on water quality?

  It releases stored mercury into the environment
• How does thawing sea ice affect chemical pollutants?

  It releases pesticides into the water
• What is the expected future impact on the Chukchi and Bering Seas?

  They are expected to become more acidic
• What has been the impact of increased wildfires on the tundra ecosystem?

  They have led to habitat loss for caribou
• What is the projected increase in annual area burned in Alaska by the end of the century?

  It is projected to triple
• How do warmer summers contribute to the risk of wildfires?

  They increase evaporation and dryness
• What is the impact of invasive plant species on the tundra ecosystem?

  They change land suitability for wildlife
• How do wildfires affect the food chain in the tundra?

  They disrupt habitats for key species
• What is the impact of melting sea ice on oil drilling?

  It makes drilling easier
• What are the potential benefits of climate change for development in the Arctic?

  Increased job opportunities from oil exploration
• What is the overall evaluation of climate change impacts on the tundra ecosystem?

  They are largely negative for the ecosystem
• What are the actual and potential impacts of climate change on the tundra ecosystem?

  • Increased temperatures leading to permafrost thaw
  • Changes in species distribution and migration patterns
  • Increased wildfires affecting habitats
  • Coastal erosion impacting communities
  • Water quality degradation from thawing permafrost
  • Economic impacts from infrastructure maintenance costs