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The State of Alaska
Approximately 65% of Alaska is owned and managed by the U.S. federal government as national forests, national parks, and national wildlife refuges. The northeast corner of Alaska is covered by the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which covers 19,049,236 acres (77,090 km²). Because the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is believed to contain a large supply of crude oil, the issue of drilling for oil in the refuge has been a debated topic for many years.
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| One of the key issues with regards to the oil industry in Alaska, and one that Living Earth is concerned with, relates to the impacts the development of the oil industry is having on the indigenous population. |  |
Prior to the 1970’s the North Slope of Alaska was essentially closed off to the outside world. Lying within the Arctic Circle, this area was populated by small subsistence whaling communities. in the small communities there is a conflict between tradition and modernity. Traditional whaling communities are trying to keep their livelihoods alive, in the face of increased drilling in the whale hunting areas.
Living Earth's work in Alaska
Living Earth has been in Alaska since 2006, working with all sectors of the community on the North Slope to help to promote the sustainable development of the area. In particular we are working with the schools to promote effective education of the local communities. As part of this project, Living Earth has facilitated an exchange programme between schools on the North Slope, Alaksa and schools in Aberdeenshire in Scotland, an area that is also affected by the oil industry.
These two regions are miles apart but have a number of similar issues and challenges, namely their rurality, the importance of traditional local culture, the impact of the development of the oil industry in the regions, and the various social environmental and economic issues that arise from that.
Find out more about this programme here
Living Earth is also working at a state level to develop a network of local individuals and organisations, across Alaska that are interested in environmental issues, locally, regionally and nationally, to promote them working together to overcome issues and problems related to the development of Alaska.
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Alaska in a Nutshell
News |
Background |
School Exchange Programme |
Barrow, Alaska