This year was the second warmest on record in the Arctic, with impacts to sea ice, erosion and marine ecosystems.
Wildlife
Federal court overturns approval for Hilcorp’s Liberty Project
A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with environmental groups, saying the agency’s review of drilling impacts was inadequate.
Not even the eagles came to the canceled Alaska Bald Eagle Festival
The chum salmon run on the Chilkat was a record low this year — just a fraction of the expected return. It’s impacted the whole ecosystem: eagles, fishermen and bears.
Alaska wanted Arctic ringed seals off endangered species list; federal officials rejected that request
The Obama administration listed the Arctic ringed seal under the Endangered Species Act in 2012, citing the effects of climate change on the ringed seal’s sea ice habitat.
The Trump administration is moving to sell leases in ANWR, but will anyone show up for a sale?
The Trump administration is close to auctioning off drilling rights for the land in northeast Alaska — potentially just days before President-elect Joe Biden takes office in January. But to what degree will the industry participate?
Environmental groups say Pebble could threaten the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale
The Marine Mammal Commission estimated that 1,300 belugas were in Cook Inlet in 1972. Now there are fewer than 269 whales left.