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Impacts

  • Shaktoolik residents talk about the fear and anxiety associated with increased storm intensity.
    2011: Storms
    (Shaktoolik):

    Shaktoolik residents talk about the fears and anxieties large storms bring to their village.  Storm intensity is increasing in Alaska with global warming and is the main threat to the security of the residents of Shaktoolik.

  • Savoonga residents talk about changes to the weather they have noticed
    2011: Weather changes
    (Savoonga):

    Savoonga residents talk about changes to the weather they have noticed in their lifetimes.  Generally weather patters are more chaotic, unpredictable, and change rapidly.  It has been difficult to hunt of late because of the lack of stable, calm weather systems.

  • Residents talk about sea ice melt
    2011: Sea ice melt
    (Savoonga):

    Savoonga residents talk about sea ice melt and the impacts that has on their hunting practices.  Sea ice has become thinner, younger, and rarer off of Savoonga.  Hunters generally hunt walrus and seals on the edge of the sea ice.  They also use the sea ice for protection from wind and waves.

  • Savoonga resident, Preston Rookook, talks about the changes to wind patterns
    2011: Wind pattern changes
    (Savoonga):

    Savoonga resident, Preston Rookook, talks about the changes he has witnessed to wind patterns on his island.  His comments add some more detail to the 2010 video on wind found below.

  • Savoonga residents talk about the 2010 storm
    2011: The 2010 storm
    (Savoonga):

    Savoonga residents talk about the large storm that hit their village in December 2010.  The storm knocked out power affecting light, heat, communication, and health systems.

  • Savoonga mayor, Myron Kingeekuk, talks about the 2010 storm
    2011: Mayor talks about the 2010 storm
    (Savoonga):

    Savoonga mayor, Myron Kingeekuk, talks about the 2010 storm that knocked out electrical power in the village.  The mayor addresses the need to be prepared and organized for such events as they are now happening more frequently.

  • Shaktoolik, AK residents talk about the changes they have seen to their climate and ecology.
    2011: Climate change impacts
    (Shaktoolik):

    Shaktoolik, AK residents respond to questions about the impacts of climate change they are witnessing.  The impacts they see are dramatic and readily apparent.

  • The mayor of Savoonga tells us about walrus hunting
    2011: Climate change impacts on walrus
    (Savoonga):

    The mayor of Savoonga talks about the impact of the loss of sea ice on walrus hunting.  Walrus meat makes up a significant part of the subsistence diet in Savoonga and is a staple food for the villagers.

  • Savoonga hunters talk about the difficulties climate change has for whaling
    2011: Climate change impacts on whaling
    (Savoonga):

    Savoonga hunters talk about the impacts of climate change on whaling, particularly how sea ice and ice pack melt affect migration routes of the whales and their ability to access whaling camp.

  • Residents talk about the impacts of climate change on hunting
    2011: Impacts on hunting
    (Savoonga):

    Savoonga residents talk about the impacts of climate change on their hunting patterns and hunting success.  Hunting is a foundational activity that unites the community and is central to the Siberian Yupik culture and identity.