Alaska Climate Change Issue Photographs

The photographs on this page show some of the impacts Alaska faces with a changing climate. Stronger storms and lack of sea ice leads to coastal erosion. Thawing permafrost results in subsidence of soils and the failure of foundations for roads and buildings. Warmer, drier weather results in beetle and other pest infestations, forest die-off and record setting forest fires.

Shishmaref, where the coastline has eroded 100-300 feet in the past 30 years. Photo: The Nome Nugget		Shishmaref house after storm. Photo: Shishmaref Relocation Coalition
Breach in Kivalina sea wall, fall 2006, an ongoing concern. Photo: DEC presentation January 2007.		Breach in Kivalina sea wall, fall 2003. Photo: DEC presentation January 2007
Reddish-brown needles indicate spruce beetle killed forest, southcentral Alaska. Photo: eMagazine		Fire hazards increase significantly after insect infestations. Photo: Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Boundary Fire near Fairbanks, 2004. Summer 2004 fires consumed over 6.6 million acres breaking all previous records for Alaska. Photo: International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks		Beetle killed spruce trees readily ignite. Photo: Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources
South Fairbanks June 28, 2004. Air quality particulate level at approximately 900 ug/m3. Photo: Fairbanks North Star Borough		South Fairbanks July 6, 2004. Air quality particulate level at approximately 10 ug/m3. Photo: Fairbanks North Star Borough