New Report Highlights Climate Impacts and Community Response

Today, the Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center (ACRC) at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) released a comprehensive report on the impacts and response to climate change in Juneau titled, Juneau’s Changing Climate and Community Response.

Juneau, Alaska

Date of Press Release: July 11, 2022

Today, the Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center (ACRC) at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) released a comprehensive report on the impacts and response to climate change in Juneau titled, Juneau’s Changing Climate and Community Response. From more frequent intense rainfall events to the response of local wildlife, the report features accessible information from twenty-three local experts, scientists, and managers on the historic impacts, expected trends, and community response to climate change in the City and Borough of Juneau.

The publication updates and expands UAS’s 2007 report (Climate Change: Predictions of Impacts on Juneau) with a highly readable graphic format and several new sections. Highlighted in nine key messages, the report covers important information on what we’re experiencing in the atmospheric, marine, terrestrial, and ecological realms. There are also sections on how Juneau’s nonprofits and Tribal and local governments are responding to climate change, a summary, and recommendations. The lead author, ACRC researcher Jim Powell says “Juneau is experiencing warmer temperatures, more precipitation, and a multitude of other impacts to our coastal temperate rainforest home. This report provides a look ahead at what changing climate conditions will mean for us, and what our community is doing to mitigate and adapt.”

I hope the general public, local decision-makers, as well as the scientific community, will find it informative,” said Powell.

The report was supported by The Department of Interior Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center, which is managed by the USGS National Climate Adaptation Center, and the City and Borough of Juneau. The report is available online. A webinar about the report will be held on Thursday, July 14th at 9 A.M. AKDT for presentations and Q&A with authors of the report. Register here to attend.