Alaska’s Climate Shift: A Personal Farewell

For three decades, deadlines have been a constant companion, shaping the rhythm of my work.
The pressure once felt like an ache, but repeated exposure turned it into a familiar habit.

A Journey Through Climate Science

• Mid‑1970s: Began with the Geophysical Institute’s public outreach program.
• Early observations: Norwegian researchers reported a 4.3 % reduction in Arctic sea ice between 1987 and 1994—a warning that proved accurate.
• Today: Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow) mirrors temperatures of coastal Norwegian towns, underscoring rapid warming.

The Human and Ecological Toll

• Widespread permafrost thaw turns rivers orange.
• Declining salmon runs illustrate tangible impacts.
• A former miner warned, “If you want a stable place, don’t live in Alaska.”

Adaptation and Hope

Life adapts to new conditions; many organisms thrive, though humans face uncertainty.
This realization blends gratitude, relief, and hope for the future.

Gratitude

• Bob McCoy: Long‑time director supporting annual contracts.
• Readers: Encouraging messages during the darkest winter nights, a steady lift like wind beneath a crop duster’s wings.

Final Reflections

• Walked along Malaspina Glacier with National Geographic writer Paul Salopek—intact ecosystems are scarce.
• Imagining a small junco nesting in an Alaskan spruce, its first song marking summer’s arrival.