When international leaders meet in Paris at the end of this month to discuss a universal agreement on climate, a Juneau group will be raising awareness about the talks, and about climate change, by way of a film series and community potluck.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe movie series is an opportunity for people to explore the issue of climate change, to get some new ideas, and see that there are other folks who are interested too,\u201d said Danielle Redmond, coordinator of AlaskaCAN (Alaska Climate Action Network), the Juneau group sponsoring the series.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want a way for people to get engaged and get connected with other people in the community and to start thinking about solutions, and what they can do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Three films will show throughout the month, coinciding with the lead up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, which happens Nov. 30 through Dec. 11.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are pivotal in solving the problem,\u201d said Elaine Schroeder, one of the series\u2019 organizers. \u201cAnd we can do something about it.\u201d She said there are many ways Alaskans can contribute to solutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the big ones are flying less, driving less, riding a bicycle, heating your homes to maybe about 67 degrees rather than 69 degrees, and wearing a sweater,\u201d Schroeder said. \u201cBy becoming aware of your own carbon expense account, you are embodying what needs to be done, and you are living a life of coherence where what you say is mirrored by what you do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Juneau efforts that have been suggested include improving CBJ\u2019s transit system, using hybrid buses, and building a light rail system from downtown to Auke Bay.<\/p>\n
Roman Motyka, Juneau professor emeritus of geology and geophysics with the University of Alaska, suggested ways Alaskans can reduce their use of fossil fuels.<\/p>\n
\u201cI drive a car, but I try to minimize the use of that vehicle. Heating our homes is another big factor. A lot of us use oil,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat I\u2019ve done in my house is to retrofit it to make it more energy efficient. That\u2019s probably the best thing people can do, that and to be conscious of our energy use anywhere and everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Motyka, who studies glaciers, also talked about sea level rise.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the biggest contributors is the mere heating of the ocean,\u201d he said. \u201cHeat expands water, which causes sea level to rise, but a bigger contribution is now coming from the melting of mountain glaciers, and the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Juneau won\u2019t likely see much sea level rise over the next few decades, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happens when you melt off ice is that it allows the Earth\u2019s crust to rebound upward,\u201d Motyka said. \u201cWhen we had the huge ice mass in Glacier Bay and across the Juneau Ice Field and elsewhere over here, it actually depressed the crust. So, the local sea level was lower then and actually flooded shorelines all around Juneau. You can see the record of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause sea level rise is countered by glacial rebound in Southeast Alaska, Juneau is less vulnerable than other parts of the state,\u201d Motyka said.<\/p>\n
Motyka recommended going out to the visitor\u2019s center at the Mendenhall Glacier for informational displays, knowledgeable naturalists, and a close-up view of the glacier and its retreat over the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe City and Borough of Juneau has so much potential,\u201d Redmond said. \u201cWe have a sustainability coalition who has done a report that looks at the local effects of climate change and possible solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
The technology for sustainable energy exists, added Schroeder. \u201cGermany is in the forefront of that, and Alaska could also be in the forefront. \u2026 Just changing light bulbs isn\u2019t gong to solve the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the \u201cRenewable Energy Atlas of Alaska\u201d produced by the state\u2019s Alaska Energy Authority, alternative energy efforts are growing across the state. Some examples:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kodiak installed the state\u2019s first megawatt-scale wind turbines and generates about 18 percent of that community\u2019s electricity. <\/p>\n
\u2022 Geothermal systems, surfacing as hot springs, can be tapped for energy, and hydrokinetic devices can convert tidal and river energy into electrical power.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Solar energy in Alaska has potential for off-grid power generation and low-use application.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Alaska\u2019s biomass fuels \u2014 wood, sawmill wastes, fish byproducts, and municipal waste \u2014 can be converted to compost or used for energy too.<\/p>\n
In 2010, the Sealaska Corporation installed the state\u2019s first large-scale pellet boiler at their headquarters in Juneau, replacing more than 30,000 gallons of fuel oil per year, and contributing to savings for the organization.<\/p>\n
CBJ has researched alternatives to its current practice of shipping processed waste bio-solids south to an Oregon landfill \u2014 which could include composting, methane extraction, or incineration.<\/p>\n
Alaskan Brewing Company\u2019s Coastal CODE program donates one percent of the proceeds from its Icy Strait IPA to fund projects that promote ocean and coastline sustainability, such as beach cleanups and water habitat restoration<\/p>\n
AlaskaCAN coordinator Redmond said the main thing to remember is that it\u2019s not too late to create change.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve just been in this continuous grind of like, \u2018Oh it\u2019s inevitable, we can\u2019t change,\u2019\u201d Redmond said. \u201cThe biggest piece that we need to move is getting over that hump of \u2018Oh we can\u2019t do anything, it\u2019s too late anyway.\u2019 No, it\u2019s not too late, we need to get on it and do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CLIMATE ACTION FILM SERIES AND POTLUCK<\/p>\n
\u201cThis Changes Everything\u201d will show on Saturday Nov. 7 at 4:30 p.m. Based on Naomi Klein\u2019s book of the same title, the film follows the work of activists around the world, highlighting the economic systems that have impacted climate change.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Yes Men Are Revolting\u201d will show on Monday Nov. 16 at 7 p.m., and Saturday Nov. 21 at 4:30 p.m. This film follows two comic activists who staged media hoaxes and focused on corporate practices as contributors to global warming.<\/p>\n
\u201cMerchants of Doubt\u201d will show on Sunday, Nov. 29 at 4:30 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. This satirical documentary takes an inquisitive look into the international spin around climate change.<\/p>\n
All films, hosted by the Alaska Climate Change Network, will show at the Gold Town Theater, downtown. Tickets are $10 at the door, or online at www.alaskaclimateaction.org.<\/p>\n
A community potluck will be held on Saturday, Dec.12 (location TBA) to coincide with the international People\u2019s Last Word event in Paris.<\/p>\n
For more information about the film series and potluck, go to www.alaskaclimateaction.org.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
THINGS YOU DIDN\u2019T THINK YOU COULD RECYCLE IN JUNEAU<\/p>\n
Recycling resources in Juneau can be found on the CBJ website at: http:\/\/www.juneau.org\/pubworks\/r-rec.php \u2014 including where to dispose of hazardous waste, batteries, cell phones, cars, plastic, cans, cardboard, etc. CBJ Waste Management lends recycling containers for cans and plastic bottles for events.<\/p>\n
Following are some additional tips for recycling in Juneau:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Plastic six-pack rings: Take to Juneau Wholesale. Call 789-5919<\/p>\n
\u2022 Plastic bags: Take clean bags to St. Vincent de Paul or Salvation Army for reuse. A&P and Fred Meyer have collection bins<\/p>\n
\u2022 Cell phones: AWARE shelter collects old cell phones for soldiers. Call 586-6623 or go to www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com<\/p>\n
\u2022 Eyeglasses: Juneau Lion\u2019s Club and private optometrists accept used eyeglasses. Email mendenhallflyinglions@gmail.com<\/p>\n
\u2022 Fishing line: Western Auto Sporting Goods accepts used fishing line (monofilament)<\/p>\n
\u2022 Hangers: Can be given to dry cleaners<\/p>\n
\u2022 Non-ferrous metals, such as brass, copper, aluminum, and radiators: Collected by Auke Bay Cans, 789-9407<\/p>\n
\u2022 Printer toner and cartridges: Collected by BEP, which also refills and rebuilds, 789-2230<\/p>\n
\u2022 Shipping materials like bubble wrap, peanuts, large boxes: Can be recycled at Taku Graphics 780-6310, or Annie Kaill\u2019s store downtown (bubble wrap only), 586-2880.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Remove your family from junk mail lists https:\/\/juneau.catalogchoice.org<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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