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by Amy Lupica, ODP Staff Writer As temperatures hit record highs in the Western U.S. this week, another heatwave was brewing in Siberia. New satellite imagery showed that ground temperatures in the Arctic circle topped 118 degrees Fahrenheit. Experts say that rising temperatures like these in the world’s coldest regions threaten oceans, permafrost, forests, and more. Moreover, experts say that […]
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For generations, Native Alaskans have stored their food year-round in icy cellars that have been dug deep underground, but recently many of these cellars are either becoming too warm so that the food spoils or failing completely due to flooding or collapse Civil Eats’ Kayla Frost reported from Alaska. The cellars, known as siġluaqs, are usually about 10 to 20 feet below the surface and consist of a small room that used to be consistently about 10 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
Why This Matters: The loss of these natural freezers could be devastating to Native Alaskans.
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As the Biden administration moves to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil and gas drilling, advocates are also urging officials to tighten restrictions on Arctic shipping because the number of ships and distance traveled in the Arctic has grown dramatically. A new report by the Arctic Council found that underwater noise pollution from shipping in parts of the Arctic ocean doubled in just six years.
Why This Matters: The Arctic is warming at rates two to three times faster than the rest of the world, creating ripple effects like changing ocean temperatures, storm patterns, and increased coastal permafrost erosion.
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Record hot temperatures are wreaking havoc in northern Europe as wildfires spark in Siberia. Some experts say that this early fire season is the continuance of the 2020 season and that some “zombie fires” were never truly put out. Last week, 1.7 million Siberian residents were put under severe “black sky” air quality warnings due to smoke from nearby wildfires.
Why This Matters: The Arctic is warming two to three times faster than the rest of the world.
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On Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld a previous district court decision that then-President Donald Trump had overstepped his authority when he issued an executive order rolling back Obama-era bans on offshore drilling.
Why This Matters: After years of attacks on public lands by the Trump administration, the nation is behind schedule on meeting its climate goals.
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by Amy Lupica, ODP Staff Writer A new study may reveal the mystery behind violently exploding craters in the Siberian tundra. Last year, a 17th massive permafrost crater cracked open in the Russian arctic; the first was spotted in 2013, leaving scientists searching for a reason as to why it had appeared. The craters, the most recent 100 […]
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