Arctic Alaska Climate Change Impacts Quiz
Sea ice loss, village relocation risks (10 questions).
Arctic Alaska Climate Change Impacts Quiz: Quick Study Notes
Arctic Alaska is on the front lines of climate change, experiencing profound environmental shifts that threaten its unique ecosystems and indigenous communities. This quiz explores the critical impacts of rising temperatures, particularly sea ice loss and permafrost thaw, and the resulting challenges such as intensified coastal erosion and the urgent need for village relocation.
Key Impacts
Key Takeaways
- Arctic Alaska is warming twice as fast as the global average.
- Loss of sea ice cover is a primary driver of increased coastal erosion.
- Thawing permafrost causes land subsidence and damages buildings/infrastructure.
- Alaskan Native villages are disproportionately affected, facing existential threats to their homes and cultures.
- Relocation is a complex, multi-faceted challenge involving significant financial, logistical, and social hurdles.
- Changes in sea ice directly impact subsistence hunting for marine mammals, disrupting traditional food security.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main impact of sea ice loss in Arctic Alaska?
The main impact is increased coastal erosion, as the protective barrier of sea ice is removed, allowing stronger storm surges and waves to batter the shoreline. It also significantly impacts marine ecosystems and subsistence hunting.
Why are some Alaskan villages facing relocation?
Villages are primarily facing relocation due to severe coastal erosion, flooding, and thawing permafrost, all exacerbated by climate change. These environmental changes destabilize infrastructure and make living in current locations unsafe.
How does thawing permafrost affect Arctic Alaska?
Thawing permafrost causes the ground to subside, leading to damage to buildings, roads, runways, and other critical infrastructure. It also releases greenhouse gases, further contributing to global warming, and alters local hydrology.
What are the challenges involved in relocating an Alaskan Native village?
Relocating an Alaskan Native village involves immense challenges, including astronomical costs (often hundreds of millions of dollars), identifying suitable new sites, complex logistical planning, and profound cultural and social impacts on the community, including the potential loss of traditional ties to land.
How does climate change impact indigenous cultures in Arctic Alaska?
Climate change deeply impacts indigenous cultures by disrupting subsistence hunting and fishing practices reliant on stable sea ice and predictable seasons. It also threatens sacred sites and traditional land uses, leading to a loss of cultural heritage and community identity as people are forced to consider relocation.
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