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The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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Bill to ban toxic 'forever chemicals' in firefighting foams passes Alaska House and Senate
Alaska's legislature has passed a bill to ban PFAS chemicals in firefighting foams, addressing the contamination of drinking water.
Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Feds give Whitehorse $45M for 'permanent' solution to escarpment landslides
The article discusses a $45M federal investment in Whitehorse for a permanent solution to recurring escarpment landslides, highlighting the increasing threat of such events due to climate change.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
CBC

The governor has a big decision to make about the Eklutna River and hydro project. Here’s what to know.
The article discusses a contentious proposal for new fish passage infrastructure at the Eklutna River dam, with differing plans and potential legal challenges as stakeholders await the governor's decision.
Eagle River, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Canada is 'missing the mark' on remediation and reconciliation, says Yellowknives Dene chief
The Yellowknives Dene Chief criticizes Canada's handling of contaminated sites in the North, highlighting a lack of reconciliation and proper management, as an auditor's report calls for better inclusion of Indigenous peoples and long-term care plans.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

Sea levels are likely to rise throughout Norway as a result of climate change
The sea level will probably rise along the entire coast of Norway. Stavanger is among the most vulnerable places.
Norway
NRK

Biden administration blocks Ambler Road, strengthens protections for NPR-A
The Biden administration has halted the Ambler Road project to protect wildlife and strengthen environmental safeguards in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, sparking mixed reactions.
Upper Kobuk River, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Federal regulators cut Western Arctic caribou harvest limit to 15 animals a year
Federal regulators have significantly reduced the Western Arctic caribou harvest limit for local subsistence hunters from five animals per day to 15 per year, with only one cow allowed, due to the herd's continued decline and low cow survival rates. Non-local hunting is banned until the herd recovers.
Northwest Arctic, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Juneau had a record-breaking cruise season last year. This year should be about the same.
Juneau implements a new daily limit of five large cruise ships to manage record-breaking tourism and address local concerns about traffic and quality of life.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

New work season opens for Denali Park Road bridge
The $100 million Pretty Rocks Bridge will cross the site of a landslide that has closed the road at Mile 45 since 2021.
Denali Park

Canada's wildfires blamed for rise in global loss of tree cover outside of tropics
Canada's record wildfires contribute significantly to global non-tropical tree cover loss, with implications for climate change and biodiversity.
Canada
CBC

Canada's mild winter disrupts key ice road to remote Arctic diamond mines
Canada's mild winter has caused the longest recent delay in opening the Arctic ice road, essential for diamond mine access and goods transport, highlighting climate change impacts on infrastructure.
ArcticToday

Landslide-triggered tsunamis can strike without warning. Alaska researchers are trying to change that.
Alaska researchers are developing a method to detect landslide-triggered tsunamis, aiming to provide early warnings for such unpredictable events.
Alaska, United States

Alaska creates climate plan to reduce statewide emissions and fund a wide range of sustainable energy projects
Alaska's new Sustainable Energy Action Plan aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy, excluding oil industry cuts.
Alaska, United States

Technology that detects volcanoes and nuclear explosions will listen for avalanches in Juneau
An infrasound avalanche detection system, previously used for monitoring volcanoes and nuclear tests, is being installed in Juneau to improve avalanche mitigation and road safety.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

Alaska will receive $2.6M towards small scale food production
Alaska receives $2.6M from the USDA to enhance local food production, aiming to bolster food security in a state where 95% of food is imported.

Over 20 Alaska villages on tap for $125M in federal funds for solar and hydroelectric projects
Alaska is set to receive $125M in federal funds for renewable energy projects, benefiting over 20 villages with solar, hydroelectric, and storage initiatives.
Anchorage Daily News

BLM hears pleas for retaining protections on D-1 lands
Indigenous communities in the Bering Strait region advocate for maintaining federal protections on D-1 lands to safeguard their subsistence lifestyle and cultural heritage from the impacts of state management and resource extraction.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Chugach forecasters warn of dangerous avalanche conditions after 1 death, 2 close calls
Chugach forecasters issue warnings of high avalanche danger following a fatal incident and two non-fatal close calls in the mountains.
Girdwood, Alaska, United States
Chris Klint, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

NASA climate satellite blasts off to survey oceans and atmosphere of a warming Earth
NASA's PACE satellite, designed to study ocean biology in unprecedented detail, has been successfully launched to enhance understanding of Earth's changing climate and improve weather forecasting.
Florida, United States
AP News

Wyloo Metals CEO gives update on Ring of Fire mining projects, though First Nations resistance continues
Wyloo Metals CEO Kristan Straub updates on the sustainable development of the Ring of Fire's Eagle's Nest nickel deposit, amid ongoing resistance and legal challenges from some First Nations seeking greater consultation and environmental protection.
Webequie, Canada

Elma the mammoth's wanderings mapped across Alaska
Scientists have tracked the life journey of a mammoth named Elma across ancient Alaska, revealing her path overlapped with human hunter camps, using chemical analysis of her tusk as a "chemical GPS."

Juneau’s deadliest landslide tore through downtown like a ‘mighty grinder.’ Now it’s a fading memory.
Juneau's history of deadly landslides, particularly the 1936 disaster that killed multiple residents, is a testament to the region's susceptibility to such events, which may increase with changing weather patterns.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

Tribes request federal consultation over Graphite One
Tribes from Teller, Brevig Mission, and Mary's Igloo are urging the U.S. Department of Defense to consult with them after a $37.5 million grant was awarded to Graphite One without their input, impacting local ecosystems and subsistence practices.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

As the permafrost melts, the houses in Nunapitchuk are breaking down
Melting permafrost in Nunapitchuk is causing severe structural damage to homes, leading to erosion, instability, and health issues for residents.
Nunapitchuk, Alaska, United States

As Conoco's Willow project advances, 2 local governments have withdrawn their criticism
Two local governments have retracted their criticism of Conoco's Willow project, now focusing on protecting subsistence resources and leveraging project opportunities.
Nuiqsut, Alaska, United States

ConocoPhillips announces official go-ahead for huge Willow oil project in Alaska
ConocoPhillips has officially sanctioned the development of the Willow oil project in Alaska, expected to produce 600 million barrels over its lifetime and create thousands of jobs.
Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, United States

Anchorage used to have an active climate action plan. What happened to it?
Anchorage's climate action plan, adopted in 2019 to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050, has seen little progress and poor communication under Mayor Bronson's administration.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

The Norwegian Electricity Authority finds faults in almost three out of four solar panels
The Norwegian Electricity Authority reports faults in approximately 75% of solar panels, raising concerns about potential fires as inexperienced installers need more safety training.
Norway
NRK

‘We’re always going to be surprised’: Wrangell’s tragedy highlights Alaska’s lack of landslide monitoring
The Wrangell landslide tragedy underscores Alaska's challenge in landslide prediction due to insufficient monitoring and data collection.
Wrangell, Alaska, United States

Annual Arctic Report Card focuses on Indigenous knowledge and resilience after warmest summer on record
The 2023 Arctic Report Card highlights unprecedented summer warmth, ecological shifts, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge in understanding and adapting to climate change impacts.
The Arctic
Anchorage Daily News

Degrading permafrost likely caused Diomede city building’s collapse
The collapse of Diomede city's building, suspected to be caused by melting permafrost, has led to emergency measures and online schooling as efforts to stabilize and dismantle the structure proceed.
Diomede, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Husband of sole Wrangell landslide survivor found dead in search
Otto Florschutz, a candidate in the 2022 U.S. House special election, was found dead following a landslide in Wrangell, Alaska, that also claimed the lives of four members of the Heller family.
Wrangell, Alaska, United States

Little Diomede school struck by collapsing building closed indefinitely
The Little Diomede school is closed indefinitely after a collapsing city building, with rotted stilts, leaned on it, causing no injuries but prompting a switch to video conference classes and relocation of teachers.
Diomede, Alaska, United States

Northern states prepare for battle against invasion of feral Canadian ‘super pigs’
Northern states are implementing measures to prevent the spread of invasive "super pigs" from Canada, which are a crossbreed of wild boar and domestic swine, causing significant ecological and agricultural damage.
Canada

Alaska communities must adapt as climate change transforms state, federal report says
Alaska communities are facing significant challenges due to climate change, including the disappearance of snow crabs, threats to subsistence hunting and fishing, and difficulties in processing and storing food, but some communities are taking action and developing local climate adaptation plans with the support of funding and collaboration between different governments and agencies.

Emergency Phase Declared and Grindavík Evacuated
An emergency phase has been declared and the town of Grindavík in Iceland has been evacuated due to increased volcanic activity and damage from earthquakes, with residents being urged to seek safety in emergency relief centers.
Grindavík, Southern Peninsula, Iceland
Iceland Review

Extreme flooding on Alaska’s Arctic highway caused thaw-induced sinking in later years
Extreme flooding on Alaska's Arctic highway in 2015 caused thaw-induced sinking in the permafrost terrain up to 3 inches deep, with the most significant effects occurring in ice-rich areas, according to a newly published study.
Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, United States

A squeaky wheel with data: how Nipissing First Nation is healing environmental damage
Nipissing First Nation in Ontario, Canada is using innovative methods, such as aerating water and replacing invasive species with wild rice, to heal environmental damage and improve the ecosystem.
Ontario, Canada
The Narwhal

New study hints at huge price tag from permafrost thaw in Alaska
A new study suggests that more than 75% of Earth's near-surface permafrost will be gone by the end of the century, leading to major implications for cold-climate regions like Alaska where permafrost covers the majority of the state and thawing is already well underway, resulting in sinking and unstable infrastructure and significant costs for adaptation.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

New Ambler Road draft expands on potential problems
The U.S. Department of the Interior released a 1,200-page supplemental environmental impact study (EIS) on the proposed Ambler Access Road in Alaska, which reveals potentially greater social and environmental impacts than previously thought, including concerns about disrupting traditional hunting and fishing lifestyles and causing permafrost thaw.
Ambler, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Hooper Bay's dunes, home to the community’s cultural history, are slipping into the sea
The sand dunes in Hooper Bay, Alaska, which serve as a protective barrier against storms and preserve the community's cultural history, are rapidly eroding and may lead to the relocation of the village. The dunes were once home to sod houses and artifacts dating back to 1600 A.D. The loss of the dunes threatens not only subsistence food resources but also the community's connection to its past. As the dunes continue to erode, there are concerns about the potential relocation of the community and the preservation of their stories and artifacts.
Hooper Bay, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Hooper Bay families displaced by Merbok could lose housing this month
Families in Hooper Bay, Alaska, who were displaced by Typhoon Merbok last year and currently live in low-income housing, may lose their housing by the end of the month due to the expiration of their temporary emergency placement.
Hooper Bay, Alaska, United States

A year after Typhoon Merbok, some coastal Alaskans struggle to find subsistence foods
Coastal Alaskans in Hooper Bay and Chevak are struggling to find subsistence foods, such as berries and underground caches of roots called “mouse food”, due to the impact of Typhoon Merbok's storm surge and a cold, rainy summer.
Hooper Bay, Alaska, United States

Unalaska under air quality advisory for Shishaldin volcano ashfall
Unalaska in Alaska is under an air quality advisory due to ashfall from the eruption of Mount Shishaldin on Unimak Island, with the advisory extended until Thursday.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States

U.S. Energy Department climate scientist visits Utqiaġvik to highlight permafrost and climate change research
A U.S. Energy Department climate scientist visited UtqiaÄ¡vik to evaluate research progress on permafrost and climate change, highlighting the importance of accurate measurements and models in predicting future climate patterns in the Arctic.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

Teller may move to higher ground
Teller is considering moving to a new subdivision site to avoid flood zones and eventually connect to water and sewer systems, with the project estimated to be completed by summer 2025.
Teller, Alaska, United States

A new e-waste program is recycling tons of batteries from rural Alaska
A new e-waste program in rural Alaska collected and recycled over 145,000 pounds of lead-acid batteries from 45 communities, addressing the challenge of hazardous waste disposal in remote areas.
KTOO

After a disaster like Juneau’s August flood, mental health can be a neglected part of the recovery
August flooding in Juneau has resulted in severe damage to private homes. After such events physical damage to buildings and homes are obvious. What do the experts say about mental health challenges after events such as the Mendenhall Glacier event?
Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau, Alaska, United States

Sitka’s tourism boom has brought a staggering increase in cigarette butts
Sitka's tourism boom has led to a significant increase in cigarette butt litter, prompting a monthly cleanup effort and concerns about the environmental impact of the litter.
Sitka, Alaska, United States

Residents, engineers and scientists discuss permafrost thaw
The Permafrost and Infrastructure Symposium this month brought together over 50 scientists, engineers and residents this month, creating a space for them to exchange their perspectives on the effects of thawing permafrost in the Arctic.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

N.W.T. man recounts nightmarish escape from wildfire — and how a Hay River man saved his life
A Fort Smith, N.W.T., man is recounting his terrifying effort to flee a wildfire with his wife a couple of weeks ago — and crediting a Hay River man for steering them out of danger.
Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada

How the Maui wildfires devastated Lahaina, hour by hour
Survivors of the Maui fire in Lahaina say they were overwhelmed by the speed of the blaze, the smothering smoke and the lack of escape routes.
Lahaina, Hawaii, United States
Washington Post

Wildfires in the Interior, potential drought in Southeast as record heat drags into August
There are now 140 active Interior wildfires, with Southeast Alaska seeing "abnormally dry" conditions.

Juneau’s worst glacial outburst flood destroys homes and displaces residents
“We started seeing structural timber,” one resident said. “And then I was like, ‘Oh, my God. That’s from houses upstream.'”

Alaska geologists dig into Bering Sea’s past storms to understand future ones
Extreme weather events like Typhoon Merbok are becoming more common, and many Alaska communities are wondering about the future.
Bering Sea

Secrets of the Lorino cliff
Scientists from Moscow State University have studied the Lorino cliff in the Chukotka region and discovered that the rapid retreat of the coast is due to the reduction of sea ice, and they recommend that villagers prepare for the transfer of coastal structures further inland.
Lorino, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia

Alarming, above-average ice loss in Greenland due to rising temperatures
Satellite images from NASA show the alarming and above-average ice loss in Greenland due to rising temperatures, with significant melting and a transformation of the snow cover observed during the 2023 melting season.
Greenland
Eye on the Arctic

It’s so hot in Arizona, doctors are treating a spike of patients who were burned by falling on the ground
The temperature of asphalt and pavement and concrete and sidewalks in Arizona on a warm sunny day or summer afternoon is 180 degrees sometimes.
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
CNN

Kodiak resident dies in hit-and-run during Saturday’s tsunami evacuation
A Kodiak woman died in a hit-and-run collision during Saturday’s tsunami warning and evacuation,
Kodiak, Alaska, United States

Wildfire smoke, extreme heat continue to steamroll N.W.T. communities
Wildfire smoke has been blasting much of the N.W.T. lately, with air quality advisories in nearly every community Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, much of the territory is also coping with record-breaking heat.
Northwest Territories, Canada

Sen. Murkowski visits Pilgrim Hot Springs, Graphite One site
Graphite One is developing a plan for an open-pit graphite mine and is still in its exploration phase.
Nome, Alaska, United States

As the climate warms, the face of Denali National Park changes
The damage wrought to the park’s road by melting permafrost is creating a new reality affecting visitors, park staff, local businesses and potentially wildlife.
Denali National Park, Alaska

Shishaldin volcano in Eastern Aleutians increases activity, draws monitoring
Shishaldin is one of the most active volcanoes in the Aleutians — it’s had nearly 30 eruptions since 1824.
Shishaldin Volcano

Veterans who Served on Contaminated Alaskan Bases Faced Similar Health Hazards to Camp Lejeune
For countless US veterans, the Army’s mismanagement and careless disposal of hazardous substances since the early years of the Cold War have been an enduring source of debilitating and fatal consequences. Notorious instances such as the pervasive contamination at Camp Lejeune, where toxins leached into groundwater for over 30 years.
Jacksonville, North Carolina, United States
Alaska Native News

'Seeing is believing': VR project immerses viewers in climate change on Yukon's Herschel Island
The virtual reality project Qikiqtaruk: Arctic at Risk is transporting people to Yukon's northernmost point without them ever having to leave home.
Herschel Island, Canada

Keeping cans and computers out of the landfill: Dillingham's recycling initiatives
The Friends of the Landfill works with community partners to recycle aluminum cans and tech waste.
Dillingham, Alaska, United States
KDLG

Québec funds research to adapt Nunavik public housing to thawing permafrost
The Quebec government has allocated over $2 million to research and develop a plan to adapt public housing in Nunavik to the effects of thawing permafrost, which can cause damage to units built on jacks.
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada

U.S. Forest Service awards grants to boost Tongass logging
The two Alaska grants are aimed at retooling mills to harvest young growth timber in the Tongass National Forest rather than old growth.
Petersburg, Alaska, United States

Retreating Arctic glaciers leave bubbling methane in their wake, scientists warn
Scientists found that the glaciers are triggering the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that causes global temperatures to rise.
Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

How e-bikes are becoming the norm on Anchorage trails
E-bikes offer riders added range, mobility and approachability. But they also potentially bring an added element of increased speed to mixed-use trails that are already buzzing with activity.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Urban Alaska can learn from energy innovation in rural Alaska
The state’s rural areas lead the world in renewably powered microgrids. So if the grid of the future is being incubated in rural Alaska, can urban Alaska, like the Railbelt, benefit from some of these strategies and lessons learned?
ArcticToday

Mountains frozen for thousands of years are collapsing as global temperatures rise
Scientists say that rising global temperatures are causing collapsing mountains as ancient permafrost begins to thaw.
Brienz, Bern, Switzerland
BGR

Global heat waves show climate change and El Niño are a bad combo
Scientists say worsening heat waves have a clear link to climate change. This year, a seasonal El Niño pattern will also be adding fuel to the fire.
Pacific Ocean
KTOO

High risk of wildfires in many parts of Sweden
The risk of wildfires is biggest locally in Skåne, Gotland and eastern parts of southern and central Sweden.Inland in the far north of Norrland is also ...
Haninge, Stockholm, Sweden

Rare tropical permafrost near Mauna Kea’s summit diminishing, researchers find
Rare tropical permafrost near Mauna Kea's summit is diminishing, with frozen soil patches showing signs of shrinking over time, according to researchers, who suggest there is no lasting way to prevent it from melting.
Manua Kea Volcano

Alaska sends firefighters, air tanker to help with Alberta’s ‘unprecedented’ early wildfire season
“This is the first time that we’ve sent a crew to Canada in May,” said Lily Coyle with the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Alberta, Canada

One gardener’s ambitious plan to plant half a million carrots is growing Kodiak’s local food movement
You could say Dave Jackson is Kodiak’s carrot kingpin. Carrots are one of the key vegetables in the gardening/farming practices in the archipelago's of Alaska
Kodiak, Alaska, United States

Analysis: Fears mount for the Arctic as cooperation with Russia stalls
For nearly three decades, the Arctic Council has been a successful example of post-Cold War cooperation. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to a freezing of relations; what risks do the breakdown of Arctic collaboration pose to the region?
Arctic
ArcticToday

A Chugiak trailer park under eviction notice lacks clean water and sits on contaminated land. Many residents are fighting to stay.
Tenants in the Forest Park trailer court say they have few, if any, affordable options. Some officials see a warning sign of a worsening housing crisis to come.
Chugiak, Alaska, United States

Drones could make Juneau’s avalanche monitoring faster and more precise
The new project with drone maker DJI will try to get a bigger picture than fieldwork trips with more frequent, automated drone flights.

Alaska state agency gives preliminary approval to Valdez ski resort effort
Three Valdez residents behind the proposed ski area say a resort could provide year-round tourism opportunities as more cruise ships arrive and the oil industry declines.
Valdez, Alaska, United States

Why disposable vapes are becoming an environmental liability
In this week's issue of our environment newsletter, we look at the ecological cost of disposable vapes.
Canada

China puts pressure on more mining in Norway
As of today, China controls 98 percent of the rare earths that Europe needs for the green shift. Høgre writes that the Fens field has "the greatest potential to break the Chinese dependence"
Skien, Telemark, Norway
NRK

Fears that thousands of solar panels will ruin the view
Today, they can look out over spruce forests and fields. But where the forest stands, there can be a solar power plant the size of 80 football fields.
Norway

As rural communities prepare for climate change, a UAA scientist is trying to connect them with data
Dr. Micah Hahn received an EPA grant to make air quality and health data easier to access in rural Alaska.

Pet owners advised to keep dogs and cats away from dead birds
With geese and other wild birds returning to the region every day, New Brunswick dog and cat owners should be aware of the risk of avian influenza, says the registrar of the New Brunswick Veterinary Medical Association.
New Brunswick, Canada

Northwest Arctic and North Slope borough officials support Ambler road despite some local opposition
Ambler Elder Virginia Commack said that the borough's decision does not reflect the opinion of many Northwest Arctic residents. This month, almost 80 Northwest Arctic residents, current and former, signed the petition against the development of the Ambler road project. When the Alaska Department of Natural Resources held two public hearings last year, out of about 37 people who called, only two spoke in support of the project.
Ambler, Alaska, United States

Alaska had a quieter year for earthquakes in 2022, new report says
Last year, over 47,000 earthquakes were recorded in Alaska and nearby regions, a slight decrease in seismic activity compared to recent years.

Haaland defends Alaska's Willow project, says U.S. won’t end oil drilling
“We’re not going to say we’re not going to use gas and oil. That’s not reality,″ Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said Friday.
Nuiqsut, alaska

Wild reindeer committee wants to remove musk ox from Dovrefjell
The musk oxen attract a lot of tourists, and generate a lot of traffic into reindeer areas.
Snøhetta, Norway

How will climate change affect Arctic agriculture?
“Warmer and wetter winters shorten the winter season and prolong the growing season, which give rise to new opportunities. Among other things, this includes higher annual yield with several harvests, along with the possibility to grow new, more productive crop varieties and species,” says Dr Sigridur Dalmannsdottir at NIBIO.
Arctic
The Independent Barents Observer

A small but growing group of EV owners in Alaska show electric cars can work in the frigid north
Chugach Electric Association estimates there are more than 2,300 EVs (including plug-in hybrids) on the road in Alaska. That’s still a tiny percentage of the total cars, but in Anchorage alone, that number went up by 120% since June 2021. Drivers say modern EVs can handle the winter conditions just fine.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Will heavy snow cover dampen Alaska’s fire season? Experts say don’t count on it.
Alaska fire officials brace for hotter, more intense fire seasons to come.

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