Climate change sub-cabinet established

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin signed an administrative order Sept. 14 creating a sub-cabinet to prepare a climate change strategy for the State of Alaska.

At a press conference following the signing of administrative order 238, Palin said the state is already seeing the effects of climate change with coastal erosion, thawing permafrost and retreating sea ice, and that scientists predict more changes. The state, she said, must prepare for them.

The climate change sub-cabinet will consolidate the state’s knowledge about the expected effects of global warming in Alaska, recommend measures and policies to prepare communities and residents to respond, and guide the state’s participation in local, regional and national efforts to curb and to respond to global warming.

The administrative order also directs the sub-cabinet to consult with the president of the University of Alaska.

“I am proud of the cutting edge work being done at the University,” Palin said. “Alaska has top-notch scientists working on research and models that will inform and guide climate change decisions.”

Members of the sub-cabinet include the commissioners of the departments of Commerce, Community and Economic Development; Environmental Conservation; Natural Resources; Fish and Game; and Transportation and Public Facilities; the DEC commissioner chairs the group.

—Petroleum News

The Associated Press contributed to this report