The Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer

We are still here - In May of 2017 I visited the old village of Meshik, a coastal fishing village set between a small lake and a stunning view of Bristol Bay. The growing ice-free season was accelerating erosion, peeling away meters of the shoreline with each passing storm. I drove with Elder Nefutti Orloff to look at his old home site in Meshik and to hear stories from years past. The village was almost gone and the only thing between the lake and the bay was the remaining thread of gravel road. He wondered how much longer he would be able to come home. Last week the road finally broke, sending millions of gallons of lake water into Bristol Bay and cutting off the road to Meshik. You can read the observation by Jacyln Christensen about Meshik and the lake, and about other events around the circumpolar north. Mike Brubaker, Editor

	Meshik Village Erosion and the End of Goldfish Lake Port Heiden, Alaska, United States Jaclyn Christensen / LEO Network / November 2, 2019 Gradual sea ice reduction and reconfiguration of the coast, have increased the rate of erosion near Port Heiden over the course of several decades. Draining of Goldfish Lake brings memories, loss of community landmark, and many emotions. Read post on the LEO Network
	A seal-killing virus probably spread from the North Atlantic to North Pacific because of sea-ice retreat Alaska, United States Yereth Rosen / ArcticToday / November 12, 2019 When scientists found that Alaska sea otters were exposed to a sometimes-deadly virus that plagues seals in the North Atlantic, they were puzzled. Phocine distemper virus had not been previously found in Alaska waters. Read article on ArcticToday
	Rains erase last of ‘severe drought’ in Southeast as conditions improve statewide Ketchikan, Alaska, United States Eric Stone / Alaska Public Media / November 13, 2019 Rains throughout October and November mean Southeast Alaska is finally out of “severe drought” status for the first time since September of 2018. Ketchikan, Wrangell and Juneau are still in “moderate drought.”Sitka, Hoonah and Haines remain “abnormally dry,” though not in drought. Read article on Alaska Public Media
	Wildlife sat-nav goes awry as White Stork and Flamingo defy nature and fly to Siberia in winter Barnaul, Altai Krai, Russia Siberia Times / November 11, 2019 Frantic efforts to save the wrong-turn birds from harsh cold. Read article on Siberia Times
	Toxin levels in Baltic herring drop significantly, spurring export hopes Baltic Sea Yle Uutiset / November 8, 2019 Thanks to stricter pollution laws, toxin levels have been dropping steadily in the Baltic. Concentrations of environmental toxins have dropped by as much as 80 percent. Read article on Yle Uutiset
	Whitehorse man warns others after falling through ice Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada CBC / November 8, 2019 The ice may look solid, but emergency officials are warning Yukoners to be wary. M.A. Chartrand learned that the hard way last week. Read article on CBC

The Northern Climate Observer is published by the Center for Climate and Health. We track news coverage from across the circumpolar north and provide readers with a curated roundup of climate change related events. Thank you for reading our newsletter and for paying attention to our changing world.

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Northern Climate Observer

The Northern Climate Observer is published weekly by the Center for Climate and Health. We track news from across the circumpolar north and provide readers with a curated roundup of climate change related events.

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Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer