Emma Kearney

Major
Combined Environmental Studies/Math, Stats Minor
Class of
2012

I was part of the first group to go up to Shaktoolik and Savoonga. We conducted interviews with elders and members of both communities (to be used on the website). We also collected driftwood core samples to analyze tree-ring pattern and implement dendrochronological and statistical analysis. Using these practices, we predicted change in driftwood deposit volume and location and assessed its continued availability as a subsistence resource for both villages. 

"Working on AKSIK provided emotional and anecdotal evidence of the detrimental impacts of climate change, and it galvanized my interest in climate change advocacy. I believe the empirical data and personal stories (such as with AKSIK) used in conjunction with statistical analysis can forecast how communities’ climates will be affected, and help them prepare for this predicted changes. Because of my experience with AKSIK and this resulting belief, I am currently pursuing my masters in statistics in hopes of accomplishing this type of advocacy. "