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Rural leaders seek solutions at climate change conference

June 05, 2008 at 9:29AM AKST

Rural Alaskans know firsthand about nearly every aspect of climate change.

“There’s deterioration of plants in our area that we smell rotting,” Scammon Bay City Manager James Akerelrea said.

“In the middle of winter, the driftwood that we gather, when it should be frozen on the ground, we’re seeing water underneath the driftwood,” he added.

Akerelrea also said he’s concerned about how fuel costs will affect the people of Scammon Bay.

That’s why, on May 28-30, Akerelrea went to the Alaska Municipal League Communities Conference on Climate Change in Anchorage. He was searching for solutions from among the pack of climate-change experts and fellow public officials.

In addition, he wanted to share Scammon Bay’s efforts to thrive in changing environmental and economic conditions.

Denali Commission energy project manager Kathy Prentki advised rural residents to prioritize projects that conserve the most energy, even if they’re not the flashiest.

Projects like the wind farm at Kotzebue and a geothermal plant at Chena Hot Springs can create a lot of buzz, but for some communities, Prentki said, upgrading existing diesel systems will save more fuel and money than investing in alternative energy.

“A lot of people want to have their renewable energy project that’s visible and exciting, but that’s not always the best thing to do with your money,” she said. “Everybody needs to think about what they need and can support in their community and not grab the first alternative energy project that comes by.”