Alaska conference on dealing with climate change focuses on rural solutions

Residents in rural Alaska are familiar with virtually all aspects of climate change. The Alaska Municipal League Communities Conference on Climate Change met in Anchorage May 28-30. According to the AML's Web site, the conference allowed participants to "learn more about anticipated challenges and policy options to address climate change" and "obtain tools and resources to help (them) develop a response to climate change that is most effective for (their) community and region."

Scrammon Bay City Manager James Akerelrea "was searching for solutions from among the pack of climate-change experts and fellow officials. In addition, he wanted to share Scammon Bay's efforts to thrive in changing environmental and economic conditions," Mary Lochner writes for The Arctic Sounder.

Energy conservation is being promoted, with advice to pick projects that are most efficient. “A lot of people want to have their renewable energy project that’s visible and exciting, but that’s not always the best thing to do with your money,” said Kathy Prentki, Denali Commission energy project manager. Wind farms, tides, river dams and methane from garbage waste were all discussed as alternative energy sources that could counter threats posed by increasing fuel costs. In addition to cost related issues, each alternative presents a variety of obstacles or disadvantages.

"Margit Hentschel, director of climate protection services for Walsh Environmental in Denver, said investing in climate change preparation makes sense even if current models turn out to be less than spot on in predicting the future," Lochner writes. “It’s really just good planning and business,” Hentschel said. “A lot of the emergency preparedness — and that’s a big element — reinforces the things (local governments) should be doing anyway.”