Archive of Past Conferences

Tuesday, September 23, 2008
10:00-11:00am Alaska Local Time
CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE OCEAN: ACIDIFICATION BY ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE
Dr. Jeff Short, Auke Bay Laboratory,
National Marine Fisheries Service

The surface layer of the world's oceans have been acidified by 30% in the last 60 years due to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Continued unconstrained CO2 emissions may triple ocean acidity by 2100. Such a fundamental and abrupt geochemical shift has significant impacts on marine life, including possible mass extinctions. Cool temperatures and upwelling make Alaskan coastal waters among the most vulnerable to acidification effects, which already threaten shellfish and corals. Many additional, more subtle effects are likely but difficult to predict. Join us for this teleconference to learn more about the implications of ocean acidification for Alaska.

Download Presentation: Climate Change in the Ocean: Acidification by Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
Listen to radio coverage of this teleconferece:
Ocean acidity threatens Alaska waters. Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock. KCAW Raven Radio, aired Sept 23, 2008.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008; 10:00-11:00am Alaska Local Time
UNCERTAINTY IN THE ARCTIC WATER CYCLE
Jessie Cherry , University of Alaska
There are large uncertainties regarding not only the future of the hydrologic cycle and water resources but also their spatial and temporal variability in the present. Many components of the water cycle are difficult to measure accurately, creating one source of uncertainty. Sparse observing networks in the Arctic create another type of uncertainty in that sampling may not be spatially representative. Water-related resource managers must take these uncertainties into account while facing other unknown factors such as the timing of supply and demand and the reliability of infrastructure. This talk will discuss techniques for identifying and where possible quantifying various types of uncertainty.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008; 10:00-11:00am Alaska Local Time
WATER AVAILABILITY IN ALASKA: USING AND UNDERSTANDING NOAA's DROUGHT MONITOR AND DROUGHT OUTLOOK
Doug LeComte, NOAA Climate Prediction Center

Water is important to communities, industry and ecosystems in Alaska. What are NOAA's Drought Monitor and Drought Outlook? How can we use them in planning and decision-making? Join us to address these questions and explore ways that these tools can be more useful to Alaskans.

Presentation/Slides: Water Availability in Alaska: Using and Understanding NOAA's Drought Monitor and Drough Outlook

Tuesday, May 13, 2008; 10:00-11:00am Alaska Local Time
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY IN ALASKA
Gwen Holdmann, Alaska Center for Energy and Power

With rising fuel costs, tapping local renewable resources for energy as an alternative to fossil fuels is gaining more and more attention throughout the state. Projected increases in temperature and precipitation from climate change may have consequences for the long term health of renewable energy projects, such as reduced water availability and increased sedimentation for hydroelectric and geothermal projects, changes in available biomass, and shifting wind, wave, and tidal patterns.  Join us for a discussion of how climate change is likely to impact renewable energy production in Alaska.

Presentation/Slides: Climate Change Impacts on Renewable Energy in Alaska
Teleconference Summary:Summary - Climate Change Impacts on Renewable Energy in Alaska

Tuesday, April 8, 2008; 10:00-11:00am Alaska Local Time
THE IMPACTS OF CHANGES IN WATER RESOURCES ON NORTHERN SOCIETIES
Dan White, University of Alaska
Water is critical in Northern Alaska for drinking and residential use in villages, for the construction of ice roads and pads in oil and gas exploration and drilling, and as habitat for migratory birds and water fowl. Join us to find out more about how climate change has and will continue to impact availability of water in Northern Alaska

Presentation/Slides: The Impacts of Changes in Water Resources on Northern Societies
Teleconference Summary:The Impacts of Changes in Water Resources on Northern Societies
Related References: Journal of American Water Resources Association on Water Use from Arctic Lakes: Identification, Impacts and Decision Support

Tuesday, March 4, 2008; 10:00-11:00am Alaska Local Time
PERMAFROST DEGRADATION AND MONITORING IN ALASKA
Kenji Yoshikawa, University of Alaska
Dr. Yoshikawa is installing permafrost monitoring projects in schools across Alaska. Join us to learn about mechanisms of permafrost thaw, areas in Alaska that are most susceptible to permafrost degradation with climate change, and how this school-based monitoring project is helping us understand permafrost degradation in Alaska.

Presentation/Slides: Permafrost Degradation and Monitoring in Alaska
Presentation Handouts (3 slides/page with lines for notes): Permafrost Degradation and Monitoring in Alaska

Tuesday, February 19; 10:00-11:00am Alaska Local Time
CLIMATE CHANGE SCENARIOS FOR YUKON FLATS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, ALASKA
Anna Springsteen, University of Alaska and The Wilderness Society
Dr. Wendy Loya, The Wilderness Society
In conjunction with the University of Alaska, Scenario Network for Alaska Planning, we analyzed predictions from the 5 climate models that perform best in Alaska to understand how climate change may affect Yukon Flats NWR over the next ~80 years. Join us to learn more about projected changes in temperature and precipitation and the resulting possible impacts on growing season, fire regimes, permafrost stability, and river and lake hydrology.

Presentation/Slides: Climate Change Scenarios for Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, AlaskaPresentation Summary (2-page written summary):Climate Change Scenarios for Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

Tuesday, January 15; 10:00-11:00am
SEA ICE CHANGE AROUND ALASKA AND IMPACTS ON HUMAN ACTIVITIES
Hajo Eicken, University of Alaska
The Arctic sea-ice cover is rapidly transforming, with sustained northward retreat of the summer ice edge and thinning of the pack ice. The seas around Alaska have experienced some of the largest changes anywhere in the Arctic. The talk will discuss some of the causes of such change and what this may mean for coastal communities, marine ecosystems and industrial activities.

Presentation/Slides: Sea Ice Change and Impacts on Human Activities

Tuesday, December 18; 10:00-11:00am
LAST ICE: THE FATE OF BERING SEA MAMMALS IN RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Gary Hufford, National Weather Service
Sea ice in the Bering Sea is beginning to recede apparently in response to climate change. Walrus and Ribbon Seals seek ice floes as habitat where they breed, give birth and haulout to rest. This makes the walrus and ribbon seal vulnerable to and an indicator of climate change. There is also evidence that the walrus may play a role in the productivity of the Bering Sea by releasing nutrients trapped in pore waters of the bottom sediment when they feed. Join us for this teleconference to learn more and and discuss the potential implications of loss of these species.

Presentation/Slides: Last Ice: The Fate of Bering Sea Mammals in Response to Climate Change

Tuesday, November 13; 10:00-11:00am
ESTIMATING FUTURE VALUE OF ALASKA PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AT RISK TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Peter Larsen, The Nature Conservancy
Alaska's public infrastructure is disigned for a cold climate. We can expect 10-20% higher costs for infrastructure replacement due to climate change. Join us for a discussion of work conducted at the Institute of Social and Economic Research to update a public infrastructure database and estimate future costs to infrastructure replacement due to climate change.

Presentation/Slides:
Estimating Future Value of Alaska Public Infrastructure at Risk to Climate Change

Project Summary:
8-page Project Summary
Full Project Report

Tuesday, October 9; 10:00-11:00am
UNDERSTANDING COASTAL EROSION IN ALASKA
David Atkinson, University of Alaska
What are the physical mechanisms for erosion in the coastal regions of Alaska? How does permafrost thaw influence erosion? Join us to explore these questions and discuss what information you need to understand and prepare for coastal erosion in Alaska.

Presentation/slides: Understanding Coastal Erosion in Alaska

Expanded version of presentation

Tuesday, September 18; 10:00-11:00am
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS IN ALASKA: THE WEATHER PERSPECTIVE
James Partain, National Weather Service
This teleconference will highlight many of the impacts from climate change on Alaska's weather. These impacts span the range of National Weather Service program areas from Aviation to Volcanic Ash and everything in between. The presentation and discussion period will provide information and develop a shared understanding about links between climate change and weather and how these links drive the services, decision-support, research & development, and policy of the National Weather Service.

Presentation/Slides (updated 9/18, 2:30pm): Climate Change Impacts in Alaska: The Weather Perspective
Teleconference Summary: Climate Change Impacts in Alaska: The Weather Perspective Teleconference Summary (pdf)

Listen to radio coverage:

Alaska Public Radio, Weds. Sept. 19, 2007. Climate change affecting forecasting models.

National Public Radio, KSTK, Wrangell, Alaska, Weds. Sept. 19, 2007. Expert says Southeast climate is uncertain, constantly changing.

Tuesday, August 21; 1:00-2:00pm
FIRE AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN ALASKA
Paul Duffy & T. Scott Rupp, University of Alaska
2004 and 2005 were two of the three most extreme fire seasons in Alaska's fifty year fire record. Models project more frequent occurence of extreme fire seasons with climate change. Join us in this discussion of how climate change can be expected to impact the fire regime in Alaska, what information gaps still exist, and what implications this might have for communities in Alaska.

Presentation/Slides: Fire and Climate Change in Alaska

Teleconference Summary: Fire and Climate Change in Alaska Teleconference Summary (.pdf)

Tuesday, July 17; 10:00-11:00AM
ALASKA STORM TRACKS: Monitoring, Outlook and Assessment
Jon Gottshalk, NOAA Climate Prediction Center
Join us for a brief overview and tutorial of information about Alaska storm tracks that is currently available on the world-wide-web. Discussion to follow will focus on how the storm tracks website can be modified to meet your needs. Click here to view the NOAA, Alaska Storm Tracks website.

» Please give us your feedback on the storm track website. Fill out this on-line form or send an email to Sarah Trainor
Presentation/Slides: Storm Track Monitoring and Prediction Related Activities at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center

Storm Tracks Teleconference Summary (.pdf)

Tuesday, June 12; 1:00-3:00PM
CHANGES IN SEASONALITY: IMPACTS ON RURAL COMMUNITIES IN THE ALASKAN INTERIOR
Craig Gerlach & John Walsh, University of Alaska
Extreme high or low precipitation and/or temperatures and the timing of freeze-up and spring melt, all affect river and air transportation and subsistence harvest in Alaska. This teleconference focuses on how changes in seasonality impact residents and businesses that operate in the interior. The goal of the discussion will be to identify specific climate information needs in the interior and to brainstorm ways to meet those needs.
Presentations/Slides:
Interior Alaska: Bellweather of Global Warming - John Walsh
Examples of Climate Products from Arizona - Colin West

Request Teleconference Summary