Climate Change Prompts Alaskan Village to Relocate; Pros & Cons of Relocation Unveiled

By CP Contributor, Friday, August 19, 2016

Climate change has finally taken effect in the US. The call to move out into the mainland is escalating for the families residing in the island village in Alaska called Shishmaref.

Taking the vote

In a slow pace, the residents of Shishmaref, a tiny island village off the coast of mainland Alaska are now feeling the intensity and the full-blown effect of the climate change. Since the early 1970s, their town was discovered to be slowly submerging into its surrounding waters.

Local village officials held a special election wherein the community of more than 600 people, most of which are Inupiat Eskimos were given the options to vote to stay or to leave. If they vote to stay, additional environmental safeguards would be employed by the officials to ensure their safety.

If they vote to leave, the community will relocate to a nearby location in mainland Alaska and develop their settlement there. However, the two options come with a pretty hefty price tag. A study conducted in the former years stated that staying put would cost around $110 million, while relocating would entail $180 million.

The final, unofficial ballot count was 89-78, in favor of relocating to the mainland. A city clerk stated that the vote count does not account for absentee voters and those in need of special ballots.

Moving forward or not

Through the years, the island village of Shishmaref has been one of the most impoverished communities in Alaska. This would likely be the main hindrance for the community to follow through on the decision to relocate to the mainland.

Shishmaref Mayor Howard Weyiouanna Sr. said that "some sort of solutions" must be found. It could be related to the necessary budget as mentioned by the 2004 study which would have surely increased by now. Also, the cost of plan might be more than what the community could bear.

Making do with what they have

Since the 1970s, the village has been looking for viable relocation sites. In fact, the village has already voted to relocate as early as 2002, but their budget just couldn't afford it. The recent election result would likely just generate an advisory opinion and more awareness.

Another study was released back in February which surveyed the village's options. It then suggested that if the needed fund couldn't really be acquired, then moving forward with research on how to save the village would be the next best option.