The Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer

In September 2010, pacific walrus hauled out in large numbers near the village of Point Lay Alaska. This was an important event because walrus historically haul out on sea ice, not on land. This year the sea ice extent has reached a record low, while air and ocean temperatures have been at record highs. The implication for the marine environment is that thousands of square miles of sea ice is now lost to walrus and other marine wildlife. This year, the walrus hauled out much earlier then ever before, on July 30th. In this edition you can read about the changing behavior of pacific walrus in an article by Dan Joling. Also read about changing ice in Greenland,.see dramatic video of rescue efforts after a huge pilot whale stranding in Iceland, and read observations from LEO Network members in Shaktoolk, Egigik and Kaltag. Mike Brubaker, Editor

	Thousands of walruses show up early on Northwest Alaska coast as sea ice recedes Point Lay, Alaska, United States Dan Joling, Associated Press / Anchorage Daily News / August 1, 2019 Sea ice in the Chukchi Sea disappeared far earlier than normal this spring as a result of exceptionally warm ocean temperatures. Read article on Anchorage Daily News
	European heat wave is turning Greenland’s ice sheet to slush Nuuk, Sermersooq, Greenland Alejandra Borunda / National Geographic / August 1, 2019 The huge northern ice sheet is in the middle of its second major melt event this year, a warning sign for the planet. Read article on National Geographic
	Alaska glacier where boaters were found dead had recently become prone to calving, guide says Tatitlek, Alaska, United States Madeline McGee / Anchorage Daily News / August 1, 2019 It's possible the trio’s canoe was upset by a calving, or shedding, piece of ice. Although all three were wearing life jackets, none was wearing a wetsuit to protect against the frigid water. Read article on Anchorage Daily News
	Storm-related Erosion in Shaktoolik Shaktoolik, Alaska, United States Jolene Auliye and Jacquelyn Overbeck / LEO Network / August 3, 2019 "We were lucky to have the berm in place. The next day, the water levels went down and the erosion was noticeable." Read post on the LEO Network
	Nome Breaks Another Climate Record: Most Rain in 24 Hours Nome, Alaska, United States Davis Hovey / KNOM Radio Mission / August 5, 2019 Heavy rain and coastal flood warnings threatened boats near Kotzebue, caused flooding at the old shipyard in St. Michael, and brought high water to the Eastern Norton Sound as well as several rivers near Nome. Read article on KNOM Radio Mission
	Officials: Cause of eastern Finland fish kill could take weeks to ascertain Rautalampi, Pohjois-Savo, Finland Yle Uutiset / August 6, 2019 The condition of the lake isn’t very good and it has the typical problems with high nutrient levels and depleted oxygen. Read article on Yle Uutiset
	Another major whale stranding event Garður, Southern Peninsula, Iceland RÚV / August 6, 2019 For the second time in less than a month, a large pod of pilot whales has been discovered stranded on an Icelandic beach.Two-thirds of them were saved and driven back out to sea. Read article on RÚV
	Mass Die-off of Shearwaters (genus Ardenna) Egegik, Alaska, United States Erin Ranney, Hillary Burgess and Kathy Kuletz / LEO Network / July 30, 2019 "Within a week we saw thousands of shearwaters along the beaches, and witnessed hundreds dead. They would sit on the tideline unable to walk, foraging on dead fish that had washed ashore and trying to feed on the fish in the nets of the set net sites as well." Read post on the LEO Network
	Unspawned Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) and Other Dead Fish Kaltag, Alaska, United States Carolyn Craig / LEO Network / July 25, 2019 "Over 40 dead dog salmon, one shee fish, one lush fish, and two delmaga all dead along the river going towards the creek opening." Read post on the LEO Network

The Northern Climate Observer is published by the Center for Climate and Health. We track news coverage from across the circumpolar north and provide readers with a curated roundup of climate change related events. Thank you for reading our newsletter and for paying attention to our changing world.

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Northern Climate Observer

The Northern Climate Observer is published weekly by the Center for Climate and Health. We track news from across the circumpolar north and provide readers with a curated roundup of climate change related events.

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Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer