Climate Change Solutions Update

Tag: Alaska

  • Communicating Carbon Removal in a Fractured Media Landscape

    Despite challenges in climate communication and lack of awareness about carbon removal, there is bipartisan support for carbon removal policies once understood. The climate movement must shift messaging from fear to hope, address concerns about environmental justice, and invest in local storytellers for effective action. Carbon180 is focusing on community-based initiatives in Alaska, Hawaiʻi, and Puerto Rico, emphasizing engagement with local communities for responsible deployment. Media coverage of climate change is declining, but there is growing interest in carbon removal among voters. The importance of climate policy and the need for urgency, hope, and transparency in climate solutions are key issues for 2025.

    https://carbon180.org/blog/communicating-carbon-removal-in-a-fractured-media-landscape/

  • In Alaska, a Data Center Inside a Power Plant, Inside a Microgrid

    Cordova Electric Cooperative in Alaska has successfully implemented a local microgrid powered by hydropower and battery energy storage, reducing diesel imports and increasing local energy supply. Inspired by this success, they are now piloting a modular data center powered by localized energy from a hydroelectric facility. The data center is designed for resilience and efficiency, with a focus on distributing data processing and storage assets around geography. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and demonstrate the capabilities of edge-based data centers in supporting remote populations. Surplus hydropower is being used to power a local data center in Cordova, Alaska, providing computing capacity for various purposes and bringing data "inside the fence" for business and artificial intelligence applications. Lessons learned from microgrid-data center setups can help streamline data center investments and avoid excessive costs, with the DOE Office of Electricity researching advanced microgrid technologies to facilitate affordable and reliable electricity delivery for data centers. ARIES analysis is being used to answer key questions for connecting computers to power in both small-scale and hyperscale projects, showcasing the potential for localized energy solutions in addressing climate challenges.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/03/09/in-alaska-a-data-center-inside-a-power-plant-inside-a-microgrid/

  • Will Water-Powered Microgrids Work in the Real World?

    The National Laboratory of the Rockies is hosting a webinar series on marine energy microgrid technologies, focusing on testing and de-risking these technologies in the lab before deployment in remote communities. The potential for harnessing wave, tidal, and river-current energy is immense and widely distributed across the US coastlines and rivers. Researchers at the laboratory are using wave energy converters to desalinate seawater and improve power electronics in these devices. This approach can help address unique energy challenges in remote communities like those in Alaska, where over 250 communities operate isolated microgrids. Interested individuals can sign up for CleanTechnica's Weekly Substack for more in-depth analyses and high-level summaries on clean energy topics.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/06/will-water-powered-microgrids-work-in-the-real-world/

  • Environmental News Network – Predicting Glacier Surges – Understanding Ecological Tipping Points

    Climate change is endangering Earth's ecosystems and reducing their resilience, with ecological tipping points playing a crucial role. Predicting drastic changes like the Amazon rainforest becoming a savannah or Greenland's ice sheet disappearing is challenging. Researchers from University of Potsdam, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Technical University of Munich have developed a new method to measure ecosystem resilience and assess data within tipping points. By applying this method to the Amazon rainforest and mountain glaciers in Alaska and Asia, they are able to make predictions of glacier surges multiple years in advance.

    https://www.enn.com/articles/77779-predicting-glacier-surges-understanding-ecological-tipping-points

  • A Phyto Finish: Could Seaweed Be Mined for Critical Minerals?

    NREL scientists and researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks are studying seaweeds as potential sources of rare earth elements (REEs) through phytoremediation and biomining efforts near Bokan Mountain in Alaska. By analyzing how seaweed accumulates REEs and developing cost-effective extraction methods, they aim to create sustainable and efficient ways to recover these critical minerals. The collaboration between NREL and UAF could lead to the establishment of large-scale seaweed farms for REE production, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional mining practices. This research has the potential to not only meet the growing demand for REEs but also contribute to bioremediation efforts and reduce the environmental impact of mineral extraction.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/26/a-phyto-finish-could-seaweed-be-mined-for-critical-minerals/

  • A Road Less Deadly

    An ambitious effort to reroute traffic around Alaska's Kenai Peninsula is underway to reduce moose-vehicle collisions and protect wildlife, including the implementation of wildlife crossings to guide animals safely across the road. The Sterling Highway near Cooper Landing is being redesigned with wider shoulders, passing lanes, and updated guardrails to enhance driver safety, while also alleviating congestion and improving the driver experience. The project plan includes innovative wildlife crossings, such as Alaska's first vegetated wildlife overpass, to promote safe passage for animals and prevent genetic isolation among animal populations. The construction, led by the DOT&PF and Federal Highway Administration, is now expected to cost over $955 million and involve the Kenaitze Indian Tribe in setting excavation standards and ensuring cultural observers are present during construction, with completion scheduled for 2031 and a five-year post-construction study to monitor wildlife use, crash reduction, and vegetation recovery.

    https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/road-less-deadly