Alaska Inter-Tribal Council

Alaska Inter-Tribal Council
Resolution # 2005-06
Title: A resolution concerning Global Warming.

WHEREAS, the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council (AITC) is a statewide consortium of sovereign tribes sharing a common bond of unique cultures, languages, spirituality, and traditional values, established in 1992 to advocate for the inherent rights of tribes in Alaska, and

WHEREAS, scientific consensus has developed that carbon dioxide (C02) and other greenhouse gases released into.the atmosphere have a profound effect on the Earth's climate, and

WHEREAS in 2001 at the request of the Administration, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) reviewed and declared global warming a real problem caused in part by human activities; and

WHEREAS, the 2001 Third Assessment Report from the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the 2000 U.S. Global Change Research Program's (USGCRP) First National Assessment indicate that global warming has begun; and

WHEREAS, over the past 40 years, annual temperatures in Alaska have increased 4-5 Degrees F and winter temperatures have warmed 8-10 Degrees F and over the next 100 years under a moderate emissions scenario, annual average temperatures are projected to rise 5-9 degrees F over land and up to 13 degrees F over the oceans; and

WHEREAS, climate change poses a serious long term threat to the economy of Alaska including the possible relocation of coastal villages at a cost of more than $100 million per village; and

WHEREAS, warming permafrost throughout most of Alaska is undermining Alaska's roads and utility infrastructure, pipelines, and buildings, affecting the availability of ground water and surface water, and contributing to increased erosion along coasts and rivers; and

WHEREAS, forest fires, insect infestations, and other disturbances are projected to continue to increase in frequency and intensity in a warming climate; and

WHEREAS, the once vast expanse of Arctic sea ice has had its fourth straight year of below average cover, with winter ice sharply down and the spring melt starting earlier, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center; and

WHEREAS, unpredictable weather, snow, and ice conditions make travel and traditional hunting and fishing practices more hazardous and endangers lives; and

WHEREAS, climate change is likely to have significant impacts on the availability of key food sources such as salmon, herring, whales, caribou, moose, seabirds, and waterfowl, and will present serious challenges to subsistence ways of life in Alaska; and

WHEREAS, climate-related changes to the water, food sources, and local landscapes undermine the social identity and cultural survival of Alaska Natives; and

WHEREAS, 162 countries including the U.S. pledged under the United Nations Framework Convention Climate Change to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions; and

WHEREAS, the development of burning of fossil fuels (oil, gas, and coal) is the primary source of human induced climate change; and
WHEREAS, actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency provide multiple local benefits by decreasing air pollution, creating jobs, reducing energy use and saving money; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of a human rights base approach that works toward the full phase out of fossil fuels with a just transition to sustainable jobs, energy, and environment is needed now.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council recognizes that we have a local responsibility to undertake effects to reduce global warming pollution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council urges the United States Congress and the President of the United States to move forward on a national, mandatory program to reduce global warming pollution and promote the development and adoption of renewable energy within a time frame that prevents irreversible harm to public health, the economy and the environment; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of AITC until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.

CERTIFICATION

The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2005 Annual Convention of the AITC held at the
Coast International Inn, in Anchorage, Alaska on December quorum present.
Ian Erlich, Chairman

Submitted by: Akiak Native Community & Arctic Village