Arctic

Obama also wants to work with Congress to plan for an expanded icebreaker fleet, “To ensure the United States can operate year-round in the Arctic Ocean,” he said.

As President Obama continues touring Alaska, the aims and outcomes of Monday’s GLACIER Conference are still being sorted out.

“I feel pretty strongly that the way to look at this topic is through science, and I just find it super disappointing that so many people chose to ignore or dismiss solid science,” said one protestor.

“I’ve arrived in Alaska a lot of ways and I’ve gotta say that was the most enjoyable,” Walker said. “It was really fun, a good experience, a good opportunity for me to have some very meaningful discussions with the president.”

President Barack Obama touched down in Alaska Monday for a three-day tour to the state, and beyond focusing on climate change in visits to Anchorage, Dillingham, and Kotzebue, the president began his trip by restoring the Koyukon Athabascan name to North America’s highest mountain.

President Obama pushed back against what some see as the irony of him expanding oil exploration while talking up climate change.