Newtok, Alaska: A Village on the Edge

[Blue_In_AK]

(I'm surprised DU doesn't have a "global climate change" topic forum...I assume this is the right place to put this post.)

Local TV reporter, Rhonda McBride, presented a five-part series last week on the Southwest Alaska Native village of Newtok, which is being forced to relocate because of arctic warming and erosion. These videos are interesting not only for the science but for the glimpse into an American culture that isn't real familiar to a lot of people. These segments are about five minutes long a piece and are well worth watching. Today Newtok, tomorrow Miami. (And do read the "reporter's notebook" for background.)

http://www.ktuu.com/reporters-notebook-a-preview-of-newtok-village-on-the-edge-102412,0,7714812.story

Over the years, Channel 2 has sent me to a number of villages. And of course, there’s my time covering Yup’ik villages in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta for KYUK, the public television and radio station in Bethel. I’ve been lucky to travel to so many communities.

KTUU’s chief photographer, Eric Sowl, has probably seen more of the state than I have -- but I think we both agree that our assignment in Newtok stands out.

First, there’s the story itself. The Ninglick River is devouring land in Newtok at the rate of about 80 feet a year. In the 1950s, the nearest homes were miles away. Today, Betty Tom’s home is the closest to the riverbank. It's less than a five-minute walk to the shoreline.

Newtok is located in Southwest Alaska in the Nelson Island Region. Scientists say shrinking arctic ice, which used to provide a natural barrier against storm surges and tidal action, has made Newtok more vulnerable to erosion and floods. Also, the shorefast ice is appearing later in the fall.

<snip>

PART 1: SOUND AND THE FURY
http://www.ktuu.com/videogallery/73030242/News/Newtok-Village-on-the-Edge-Part-1-Sound-and-Fury-Losing-Ground

PART 2: LOSING GROUND
http://www.ktuu.com/videogallery/73044084/News/Newtok-A-Village-on-the-Edge-Part-2-Losing-the-Battle

PART 3: LIMBO LAND
http://www.ktuu.com/videogallery/73044195/News/Newtok-Village-on-the-Edge-Part-3-Limbo-Land

PART 4: KEEPING CULTURE
http://www.ktuu.com/videogallery/73058783/News/Newtok-Village-on-the-Edge-Part-4-Keeping-Culture

PART 5: THE PROMISED LAND
http://www.ktuu.com/videogallery/73058895/News/Newtok-Village-on-the-Edge-Part-5-Mertarvik-The-Promised-Land

[Speck Tater]

1. A fascinating series. Thanks for sharing. nt