The Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
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Ode to Arctic Char A decade ago while visiting the village of Kivalina in Northwest Alaska, I was surprised to learn that it was the humble Arctic char, not the sheefish or salmon, that was the traditional favorite. Referred to locally as simply, "trout," Salvelinus alpinus is not really a trout or a salmon, but it is a member of the same family, Salmonidae. Regardless of name, they are as pretty a fish as you will find in any river plus they are dependable, plentiful, fun to catch on a line, and delicious with a mild, sweet flavor. But in 2009 residents in Kivalina recognized that char was in trouble, a consequence of the Wulik River becoming warmer and muddier. As Mida Swan explained, “It probably won’t even be long before we have to adapt from trout to salmon. I would like to know which fish has a chance of survival in warmer temperatures.” So I was interested to read the story in Nunatsiaq News about the study, “Thermal limits to the cardiorespiratory performance of Arctic char in a rapidly warming North.” The implications of which span a million rivers all across the north. Find the ones running cold and clear, and the Arctic char will certainly be there. Mike Brubaker, Editor

	Rising water temperatures pose risks to Arctic char: new research Kugluktuk, Nunavut, Canada Nunatsiaq News / Nunatsiaq News / September 24, 2020 When Arctic fish are too hot, they can get lethargic, slow down, and possibly turn back during their migration to seek cooler water. When the water gets really warm they can even lose their ability to stay upright. Read article on Nunatsiaq News
	Warmest late-September day in half a century as mercury hits 23.5C Kokemäki, Satakunta, Finland Yle Uutiset / September 27, 2020 An exceptionally warm air current from the southeast has kept days and nights unseasonably mild in southern and central Finland since last week. Meanwhile the north of the country has been shivering with rain and temperatures in the single digits. The highest reading in decades was recorded in Kokemäki, southwest Finland. Read article on Yle Uutiset
	Pandemic, restaurant slowdown blamed for rats in Portland neighborhoods Portland, Maine, United States Matt Byrne / Press Herald / September 27, 2020 Exterminators are fielding more calls about rodent activity. Rat-related calls are up 20 percent from last year; include mice and calls are up 57 percent. Read article on Press Herald
	Russia’s coldest city suffocates under a thick blanket of smog from September wildfires Yakutsk, Sakha, Russia Siberian Times / September 25, 2020 The lengthy wildfire season follows a record-hot Arctic summer. People living in Yakutsk are waking up to heavy smog brought from the wildfires raging to the west, east and north; struggling to breathe and with head, eye and throat aches. Read article on Siberian Times
	Salmon and smiles: 30,000 pounds of fish distributed in Whitehorse Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada Mike Rudyk / CBC / September 22, 2020 The Yukon First Nations Education Directorate gave away 30,000 pounds of free fish as part of its nutritional program in Whitehorse this week. People were particularly happy to receive the donation because salmon are well below the historical average this year. Read article on CBC
	A large new ‘hole’ appears in Gydan tundra, following record-warm Arctic summer село Гыда, Тазовский район, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Russia Siberia Times / September 17, 2020 A 200 metres wide thermocirque is discovered only weeks after scientists find funnel in the Yamal peninsula, caused by build up of methane. Read article on Siberia Times
	Polar bear chased away with flares after wandering close to a secondary school at Chukotka Ryrkaypiy, Chukotka, Russia Siberia Times / September 14, 2020 The Bear Patrol in is on high alert as predators are gathering by a walrus rookery. At least nine polar bears were noticed by residents of Ryrkaipiy, a village in the easternmost region of Chukotka. Read article on Siberia Times
	Fish and Game is looking for a black bear that followed and charged people in Anchorage park Anchorage, Alaska, United States Teagon Hanlon / Alaska Public Media / September 26, 2020 The repeated run-ins with the bear were part of the reason that one children's camp decided to move out of Russian Jack to another park. Read article on Alaska Public Media

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
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