Background Articles

Despite the decline of sled dog racing elsewhere, the Kuskokwim Delta in Alaska is experiencing a resurgence, with increased sponsorships, substantial prize money, and strong community support sustaining the sport amid challenging climate conditions.

Communities in Southeast Alaska, especially in Haines, are employing new landslide risk maps to guide future development decisions after recent deadly events and extreme weather. The science-backed tool aims to help residents and local authorities gauge areas more prone to landslides.

In Kotzebue, residents queued in freezing conditions to receive 5-pound bags of sockeye salmon distributed by Maniilaq Association in collaboration with SeaShare, following a dismal commercial salmon season.

A series of heavy snowfall events and enduring sub-freezing temperatures have brought back the charm of a traditional Maine winter, delighting snow sports enthusiasts and winter festival organizers.

Mount Churchill in Alaska has a history of explosive eruptions that sent ash across continents, and experts warn that a similar event today could disrupt air travel and regional life.

A study by the Alfred Wegener Institute reveals that the dramatic melting of older, multiyear sea ice is leading to a significant decline in the frequency and size of vital pressure ridges in the Arctic.

A new study by University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers found that microplastics are transferred from mother Alaska spotted seals to their fetuses, with widespread contamination detected in various tissues.

New UAF research reveals that microplastics are transferred from pregnant spotted seals to their fetuses, raising concerns about plastic pollution in remote Arctic marine mammals.

A new study reveals that climate change has shifted large parts of the Arctic from a carbon sink to a net carbon emitter, with up to 40% of tundra, boreal forests, and wetlands releasing more CO2 than they absorb.

The article explains how a severe decline in wild salmon, driven by climate change, is forcing Alaska mushers to abandon traditional subsistence feeding practices in favor of costly commercial dog food. This shift is altering both the practice and culture of dog mushing in the region.

Gardening columnist Jeff Lowenfels explains how trees are built to survive extreme high winds.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute reports that Finland’s average temperature in the first quarter of the 21st century was 1.4°C higher than during 1975–1999, with January in the south and central regions being unusually mild.

A new study in Sweden finds that most of the approximately 1,600 power plant facilities lack fish passages, which sometimes leads to fish fatalities.

Long-term data from eight coastal stations over the past 90 years shows that Norwegian coastal waters have warmed by up to 2°C, impacting local fisheries and marine life.

Data collected over 90 years shows that Norwegian coastal water temperatures have increased by up to 2°C, a shift that is impacting marine ecosystems and local fishing practices.

The article explores how climate change has influenced sled dog genetics, leading to a shift from traditional, thick-coated breeds to leaner, faster dogs better suited for warmer conditions, impacting the tradition of dog mushing in Alaska.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada reports that the 2024 Jasper wildfire caused $1.2 billion in damages, making it the second costliest fire disaster in Canada.

Snow-dependent businesses in Anchorage are struggling as an unusually dry winter with record low snowfall forces snow removal and outdoor gear companies to scale back operations.

The annual toss of salmon carcasses helps provide essential nutrients for Douglas Creek as part of restoration efforts.

Winter temperatures in Russia have risen by an average of 3°C over the past 50 years, with Moscow recording a remarkable 3.5°C that broke a century-old record.