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Have we confirmed that Alaska is upset about climate change? My impression is Alaska wanted to allow for example more oil drilling, but it was actually Washingt

Have we confirmed that Alaska is upset about climate change? My impression is Alaska wanted to allow for example more oil drilling, but it was actually Washington politicians who stopped them. What will happen to tourism, vacation, farming and cargo routes in global warming? Their may be major opportunities for places that have been historically "too cold". In other words, south texas may be hurt by increasing temps but alaska helped if it becomes more temperate.

inetknght 5y ago
It's not just increasing temps though. It's more extreme variations too. So Alaska will still be flippin' cold during winter.
japhyr 5y ago
Alaska isn't one entity that can be "upset" or "not upset" about climate change. The decisions made about Alaskan oil and other extractive resources aren't always made by Alaskans. When you see Alaskan politicians, and people speaking for Alaska, it's a good idea to look into their background and see how long they've been here. It's a good idea to ask whether their involvement is primarily for the benefit of the people here, or for the benefit of people outside the state. There's a lot more to climate change than just the idea that cold places will become warmer. Much of the issue is destabilization. Here in southeast Alaska, we've had an increase in issues related to landslides, which has all kinds of impacts on local people. Sure, it's been nicer for recreating some summers that were warmer and drier than the usual 50-degree and rainy summers that are typical for this area. But it's also unsettling, wondering about long-term impacts on forest and ocean ecology.
zardo 5y ago
A lot of Alaskans support selling Alaskan oil. That doesn't mean climate change is going to go well for them.
imilk 5y ago
There are also incredibly massive wildfires burning for months all over Alaska, more mosquitoes than anyone has ever seen, salmon runs depleting, and many other consequences that destroy any tourism hopes if we can't get climate change under control.
- BrianOnHN 5y ago
  Not to mention algae blooms that are deadly to both aquatic plants and just about everything with a nervous system. Temperature is part of the equation that keep dangerous microorganisms at bay. Anyone that's seen the affect of "red tides" can attest to how fast an entire ecosystem can be decimated. Crazy enough, it happened in Tampa bay, just this year, and other than the people directly affected from the stench or loss of business, the issue basically goes ignored.

inetknght 5y ago

It's not just increasing temps though. It's more extreme variations too. So Alaska will still be flippin' cold during winter.

japhyr 5y ago

Alaska isn't one entity that can be "upset" or "not upset" about climate change. The decisions made about Alaskan oil and other extractive resources aren't always made by Alaskans. When you see Alaskan politicians, and people speaking for Alaska, it's a good idea to look into their background and see how long they've been here. It's a good idea to ask whether their involvement is primarily for the benefit of the people here, or for the benefit of people outside the state. There's a lot more to climate change than just the idea that cold places will become warmer. Much of the issue is destabilization. Here in southeast Alaska, we've had an increase in issues related to landslides, which has all kinds of impacts on local people. Sure, it's been nicer for recreating some summers that were warmer and drier than the usual 50-degree and rainy summers that are typical for this area. But it's also unsettling, wondering about long-term impacts on forest and ocean ecology.

zardo 5y ago

A lot of Alaskans support selling Alaskan oil. That doesn't mean climate change is going to go well for them.

imilk 5y ago

There are also incredibly massive wildfires burning for months all over Alaska, more mosquitoes than anyone has ever seen, salmon runs depleting, and many other consequences that destroy any tourism hopes if we can't get climate change under control.

BrianOnHN 5y ago
Not to mention algae blooms that are deadly to both aquatic plants and just about everything with a nervous system. Temperature is part of the equation that keep dangerous microorganisms at bay. Anyone that's seen the affect of "red tides" can attest to how fast an entire ecosystem can be decimated. Crazy enough, it happened in Tampa bay, just this year, and other than the people directly affected from the stench or loss of business, the issue basically goes ignored.