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City of Homer Adopts Climate Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 6-7CatCh of the SeaSon featured in Trend Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Dr . Short Plays Vital Role in AMCC’s Climate Change Program . . . 2Salmon and Tanner Crab Bycatch – Kodiak Update . . . . . . . . . . 3Pew Fellowship Supports AMCC Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Reflections on Gandhi and Climate Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Travelogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9Many Thanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10What’s on Deck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Board News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Merchandise for Sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

City of Homer Adopts Climate Action PlanIt is not surprising that Homer, already

well-known for its civic engagement, is at the forefront of showing how individual communities can advance solutions to cli-mate change. The City of Homer took a significant step towards this end with adop-tion of their Climate Action Plan (CAP) on December 10, 2007. The document lays out recommendations for the city to lower its greenhouse gas emissions from many sec-tors, such as energy, transportation, waste management and land use. The plan is the culmination of a year of research and outreach led by Homer’s Global Warming Task Force.

The City of Homer’s commitment and leadership will not only result in tangible changes to government buildings, waste management and transportation, it has already set in motion actions by the com-munity at large – inspiring individuals to conserve energy, buy locally, reduce waste, walk, bike, carpool and run their boats slower. One of the most exciting prospects is that adoption of the plan can serve to catapult Homer into the spotlight of the “green economy,” stimulating local eco-nomic development by promoting creative new businesses and jobs for now and into the future. For example, the plan calls for the establishment of a green business incu-bator and for the encouragement of new opportunities for local agriculture.

Some of the recommendations con-tained in the CAP can be implemented in the near term with modest cost to the city and only minor changes to how city

continued on page 6

While the measures in this plan were formulated specifically for implementation by the City of Homer, it is our intent to lead by

example and thus encourage all citizens of the community to make changes in their own lives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Global

climate change is not a problem that can be solved by any single person, household, business, or government. It is only by working with serious

resolve in a spirit of cooperation that citizens around the world can change course and avoid a looming crisis. For the sake of current and

future generations, we must not wait any longer. – Mayor James C. Hornaday

Excerpt from cover letter of approved Climate Action Plan dated December 11, 2007

Sea Changewinter 2007/2008

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aMCC Board of DirectorsJudy BrakelPO Box 94, Gustavus, AK 99826 697-2287Terry HoefferlePO Box 825, Dillingham, AK 99576 842-5847Oliver Holm, ChairPO Box 3865, Kodiak, AK 99615-3865 486-6957Tim June, TreasurerPO Box 672, Haines, AK 99827 766-2028Dave Kubiak, Vice-ChairPO Box 193, Kodiak, AK 99615 486-5536Dennis LekanofPO Box 933, St. George Island, AK 99591 859-2300Brad McAllister741 W 20th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503 279-1241Karl Ohls, Vice-Chair2925 Kimberlie Ct., Anchorage, AK 99508 563-6214George PletnikoffPO Box 503, Unalaska, AK 99685 581-3609Walter Sargent1830 Mission Road, Kodiak, AK 99615-6509 486-3371Leigh ThometP.O. Box 3258, Kodiak, AK 99615 486-5361Pete Wedin, SecretaryPO Box 3353, Homer, AK 99603 235-2911

aMCC staffAnchorageEric Siy, Executive DirectorDorothy Childers, Program DirectorKatie Cullen, Development DirectorDiana DeFazio, Membership & Communications

DirectorKelly Harrell, Bristol Bay Campaign CoordinatorLauren Krueger, Membership & Administrative

AssistantMartha Levensaler, Climate Change Project

DirectorMuriel Morse, Western Alaska Outreach

Coordinator

Homer Alan Parks, Outreach Coordinator 3734 Ben Walters Ln., #204, Homer, AK 99603 Ph: 235-3826 alan@akmarine.org

Kodiak Theresa Peterson, Outreach Coordinator 1850 Three Sisters Way, Kodiak, AK 99615 Ph: 486-2991 theresa@akmarine.org

Climate Change science advisors Richard Feely, Ph.D.James Overland, Ph.D.Jeffrey W. Short, Ph.D.Michael Litzow, M.S.Henry P. Huntington, Ph.D.

advisorsPaula Terrel, Offshore Aquaculture Advisor Ph: 586-8349 paula@akmarine.org

phone (907) 277-5357 (KELP)fax (907) 277-5975 e-mail amcc@akmarine.orgwebsite www.akmarine.orgP.O. Box 101145, Anchorage, Alaska 99510725 Christensen Drive, Suite 5Anchorage, AK 99501

AMCC’s programs are currently supported by the generosity of our many members, individual donors and funders, including: 444S Foundation; Alaska Community Share; Alaska Conservation Foundation; Bullitt Foundation; Educational Foundation of America; Ford Foundation; Harder Foundation; Leighty Foundation; Marisla Foundation; George H. & Jane A. Mifflin Memorial Fund; Milos Restaurant; The New York Community Trust Worth Fund; Norcross Wildlife Foundation; Oak Foundation; Ocean Foundation; Patagonia; Pew Charitable Trusts; Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation; Regional Marine Conservation Project; Rockefeller Family Fund; SB Foundation; Surdna Foundation; Tortuga Foundation; Winslow Foundation; World Wildlife Fund and Wolfensohn Family Foundation.

Catch of the Season featured in Trend ReportFirst published in Departures’ November/December 2007 issue.

The latest evidence that AMCC’s recently launched Catch of the Season program is catching on comes from DEPARTURES magazine, a publication for American Express platinum and centurion cardholders. Catch of the Season is featured in “The Trend Report” of the magazine’s November/December 2007 “shopping issue” and is reprinted at right. The opportunity to subscribe to the program is presented alongside an array of other items that, according to the magazine’s editors, “caught our attention and held it long enough for us to decide that we want to see, buy, read, and talk about it all. Right now.” The only conservation offering included in this special roster, Catch of the Season is clearly benefiting from the unexpected exposure. Online inquires and new subscribers have resulted from the coverage. Catch of the Season will kick off the New Year with special deliveries of Tanner crab from Kodiak (see latest news on Tanner crab fishery on page 3). Find out how you can subscribe to Catch of the Season at www.akmarine.org. 7

continued on page 3

Dr. Short Plays Vital Role in AMCC’s Climate Change Program

In launching Fishermen as Frontline Witnesses to Climate Change, AMCC has had the extreme good fortune to be joined by Dr. Jeff Short as founding science advisor to this groundbreaking endeavor. As if his day job as supervising research chemist at NOAA’s Auke Bay Lab wasn’t demanding enough – studying such pressing issues as oil spill impacts of the Exxon Valdez and the effects of ocean acidification on marine organisms – Jeff approached AMCC to help us address the defining conservation challenge of our time. Jeff had become a devoted student of climate change and its scientific underpinnings and wanted to share his knowledge with AMCC, an organization he has long admired and that he felt could do much to catalyze responsive, community-based action.

It was Jeff ’s presentation to AMCC’s Board of Directors nearly two years ago that crystallized the need for the organization to commit itself to the issue, a pre-sentation so persuasive and informative that board members recommended it be converted to DVD and widely distributed, which we have done. The DVD is also now being translated into Yup’ik for AMCC’s expanding outreach to Native villages. (Copies of An Introduction to Global Warming Causes and Effects can be obtained by contacting AMCC at (907) 277-5357 or amcc@akmarine.org)

Fishermen as Frontline Witnesses to Climate Change uses knowledge to foster unity and compel action (see lead story, page 1). Our work connects those facing the harsh impacts of

AMCC Science Advisor Dr. Jeff Short

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Salmon and Tanner Crab Bycatch – Kodiak UpdateThis coming year may see a new opportunity to move a manage-

ment proposal to address excessive chinook salmon and Tanner crab bycatch around Kodiak Island. Four years ago over 150 local fisher-men asked federal managers to zone bottom trawl fisheries to prevent unnecessary interaction with crab as they target cod, pollock and flatfish species. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council planned to pursue bycatch reduc-tion as part of a separate plan to create individual fishing quotas. But when that program was taken off their agenda (due to a num-ber of community concerns), so went the salmon and crab bycatch reduction opportunity. However, bycatch persists and so the North Pacific Council is scheduled to revisit options for reducing waste-ful fishing practices at their April meeting in Anchorage.

The original Kodiak proposal involved a zoning plan that would prohibit bottom trawling in areas of biological importance to Tanner crab. The areas were based on local knowledge about locations of high crab concentrations. The trawl fleet would like similar closures to apply to the cod pot fleet since there is considerable capture of crabs in pots. The difference is that most crabs taken in trawl nets do not survive while most taken in pots are returned alive. Even given that reality, some give and take between the gear groups makes sense.

At the December meeting of the North Pacific Council, the Kodiak trawl fleet argued against bycatch restrictions in the Gulf

because there are weaknesses in the quantitative data describing the bycatch and where it occurs. The North Pacific Council’s Advisory Panel voted to do nothing to address bycatch until the observer program is improved to get more reliable data. While most everyone

would agree the observer pro-gram needs improvements, it is the best available information and is considered reliable enough for other regulatory requirements such as tracking allowable halibut bycatch.

These are times for more pre-caution in management. The crab population is rebuilding but precarious. The observer data is lacking but still reveals a prob-lem. The crab fishery is small but nonetheless important to local fishermen who rely on a diverse fishery portfolio to make a viable family business. A conservation priority has been identified but management inertia stands in the way. How encouraging it would be to breach the walls of resis-tance to achieve the best conser-

vation for sensitive crab and salmon while allowing for reasonable trawl fisheries.

Although the Advisory Panel voted down forward progress toward bycatch reduction measures, the Council postponed their delibera-tions until the April meeting. People of good will have another chance to turn this around toward solutions that work for all fleets and for Kodiak as a whole. 7

PhOTO: hunTer Berns

climate change to those in a position to address the problem. Central to this endeavor is the role played by AMCC’s science advisors. From briefing coastal communities to informing advocacy, our team of volunteer advisors provides the added capacity needed for AMCC to make a difference on the issue.

Jeff has set the standard for advisor involvement, presenting on AMCC’s behalf in a variety of venues including public forums in Homer, Kodiak, Anchorage and Haines. Jeff also provides crucial guidance on AMCC’s strategic approach through specially prepared papers, review of materials and participation in numerous telecon-ferences and meetings. AMCC could not have come so far so fast on the issue without Dr. Short’s essential contribution to our work. His dedication and intellect inspire us all, instilling a belief that the impacts of climate change can, indeed, be contained. As Jeff has observed, “It took us 50 years or so to create the problem. If we’re clever enough and committed to halting current trends, we can solve the problem over the next 50 years.” In both words and deeds, Jeff offers hope that, together, we can prevent climate change from dev-astating our common future. We are deeply grateful for his vital role in this pursuit. 7

Dr. Short Continued from page 2BerIng sea elDers aDvIsOry grOuP fOrMs TO PrOTeCT suBsIsTenCe resOurCes frOM fuTure BOTTOM TrawlIng

Bering Sea fish are moving northward with warming ocean temperatures. In June 2007, the North Pacific Council established a new bottom trawl boundary to prevent movement of bottom trawl fleets into previously untrawled waters until a northern area plan is adopted to protect marine life and subsistence. The plan will be developed over the next 3-4 years.

In response, elders from eight tribes recently formed the Bering Sea Elders Advisory Group to provide traditional guidance to their tribes on how to protect subsistence resources and use areas from future bottom trawling. Structured as a treaty between tribal governments, each participating tribe designates one elder to serve on the board. Tribes from the Kuskokwim Delta and Nunivak Island spearheaded this effort because they are located adjacent to the bottom trawl boundary. All tribes on the Bering Sea coast are invited to join in this collaboration.

For further information on the Elders Group, contact: David Bill, Chair (Toksook Bay) 427-7165 James Charlie, Coordinator (Toksook Bay) 427-7165 Arthur Lake or Fred Phillip (Kwigillingok) 588-8114 7

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Pew Fellowship Supports AMCC Project on Climate Change in the Bering Sea

Arctic sea ice during the 2007 melt season plummeted to the lowest levels since satellite measurements began in 1979. Arctic ice pack has melted about 50% in the last 50 years. What happens in the Arctic basin affects winter ice formation in the Bering Sea. Source: National Sea Ice & Data Center

aBOuT The Pew fellOws PrOgraM In MarIne COnservaTIOnThe Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation is a program of the Pew Institute for Ocean Science in partnership with the University

of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. The Pew Fellows Program annually awards five fellowships of $150,000 each that contribute to advancing solutions to the oceans’ most

pressing problems. The program seeks to foster greater public understanding of the direct and crucial relationship between life in the sea and life on land. By supporting the ingenuity and leadership of its distinguished Fellows, the program calls awareness to the critical state of our oceans and demonstrates viable solutions to some of the world’s most urgent conservation challenges.

Further information: http://www.pewoceanscience.org/

AMCC is pleased to announce that program director Dorothy Childers is the recipient of a three-year (March 2007-2010) Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation for a project on climate change in the Bering Sea. The fellowship ties to our broader work on fisheries conservation and community action on climate change.

Coastal and marine life of the Bering Sea is dramatically chang-ing as a result of warming temperatures and loss of arctic sea ice. The fellowship project focuses on treating both the symptoms and the causes of climate change in the Bering Sea. AMCC is exploring new approaches to fishery management that promote resilience of ecologi-cally sensitive species and habitats in the northern Bering Sea. Intimate knowledge of Native hunters, the practiced eye of fishing captains and

the structure of scientific research are the basis for a positive response to the ecological, cultural and economic dimensions of climate change in the Bering Sea.

As a necessary companion to applied fisheries conservation mea-sures, the project will create national opportunities for Alaska Native leaders, field scientists and fishermen to share their direct observations of and perspective on global warming during the coming year and with a new federal administration in 2009. As keen observers of the environment and as people whose livelihoods and traditional ways of life depend on the ocean, Alaskans can play a role in shifting national energy policy to curb global warming. 7

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Reflections on Gandhi and Climate ChangeAMCC staff Diana DeFazio recently returned from a personal trip to India where she attended a course on “Gandhi and Globalization” led by Satish Kumar (editor of Resurgence magazine), Dr. Vandana Shiva (author and activist) and Venerable Samdhong Rinchope (Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile). The course was held at Bija Vidyapeeth, a small organic farm in the Dehradun Valley northeast of Delhi. It celebrated a century of Gandhi’s thoughts and related them to pressing issues of today, including global climate change. She wrote the following opinion piece.

After two weeks immersed in the exploration of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas, I left India certain that the world needs his wisdom more than ever. Today we face a critical juncture in human history: To choose “business as usual” or make fundamental shifts to live more sustainably.

While Gandhi is most often remembered for his use of nonviolent resistance as a tool for social and political change, resistance was only one part of his theory and practice of nonviolence which he called satyagraha (“truth-force”). He insisted that we must also construct a nonviolent social, economic and political order. Gandhi’s satyagraha is based on the principles of ahimsa (nonviolence) sarvodaya (the well-being of all), swaraj (self-organized governance) and swadeshi (self-sufficiency or self-organized local economy).

Particularly relevant to addressing the climate change challenge is Gandhi’s focus on decentralized governance and economies. Indeed, some of the most immediate and tangible responses to climate change are originating at the local level as citizens – unwilling to wait for larger centralized governments to take action – are working in their own communities to curb harmful greenhouse gas emissions. A number of Alaskan communities – including Homer, Anchorage, Kodiak, Fairbanks and Juneau – have joined the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Cities for Climate Protection and are developing plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve livability within their municipalities (see lead article “Homer Adopts Climate Action Plan”). And in England, communities are declaring themselves “Transition Towns.” These communities are “unleashing their own latent collective genius to look Peak Oil and Climate Change squarely in the eye to discover and implement ways to address the

question: for all those aspects of life that this community needs in order to sustain itself and thrive, how do we significantly increase resilience (to mitigate the effects of Peak Oil) and drastically reduce carbon emissions (to mitigate the effects of Climate Change)?”

It is tempting for those of us in the North to point our fingers at India and China; both countries are rapidly increasing, not decreas-ing their dependence on fossil fuels. Each day, one thousand private vehicles are added to the streets of Delhi alone. Throughout my time in India, smog from vehicles, industry and cow dung cooking fires obscured nearby mountain ranges and the blue sky.

However, “The developed and undeveloped countries are both cutting the branch upon which they depend, but telling the other to stop first,” as explained by the Venerable Samdhong Rinchope, one of the course instructors. Indeed, global climate change is a powerful reminder of humanity’s interconnectedness and mutual responsibility towards the land, water and air that sustain us all.

For me, there is a silver lining in climate change: that our shared predicament might move conservation values from the margin of society towards the mainstream, inspire rich and poor nations to cooperate on more than free trade agreements, and put community well-being and conservation at the forefront of production methods, consumer choices and governmental policies.

Beyond buying “greener” products, we in the richer nations will have to consume less altogether and re-evaluate where real wealth and security comes from. In summoning the courage to make the neces-sary shifts in our way of life, I find inspiration in Venerable Samdhong Rinchope’s reminder that “the future is always a result of the present and the present is in our hands.” 7

Venerable Samdhong RinchopeSatish KumarDr. Vandana Shiva

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staff provides services and carries out the function of city govern-ment. Other recommendations are longer term and require more research, consideration and funding to implement. (For examples of recommendations in the CAP please read on).

While the Mayor and Council have directed the City Manager to implement the plan, the “fiscal note” was not included in the 2008 budget adopted on December 17 (aside from $25,000 that the City Manager had proposed earlier). An anonymous donor pledged $40,000 in support of a staff position to coordinate Homer’s

sustainability efforts. The donor’s generosity spurred additional individual contributions of $5,106. Countless volunteers have also come forward to help. The Homer City Council will be discussing funding a Sustainability Coordinator in early 2008.

AMCC commends the members of the task force, Mayor Hornaday, the City Council and Homer residents for their leader-ship and vision. Not only is adopting the CAP a positive step for Homer and the Kachemak Bay region, these efforts can also serve as inspiration and a model for other Alaska communities. With this in mind, we have highlighted some of the key steps and out-comes in Homer’s process in this issue of Sea Change.

exaMPles Of reCOMMenDaTIOns TO lOwer greenhOuse gas eMIssIOns frOM The CITy Of hOMer ClIMaTe aCTIOn Plan:

Energy Management• Install hydroelectric turbines in the water lines below the munici-

pal water storage tanks to generate electricity that can be used to power the pumps that fill the storage tanks.

• Develop ocean current power generation capability at the Deep Water Dock.

• Ensure that all interior and exterior lighting utilizes energy-efficient technology (e.g., Energy Star bulbs and fixtures, LED lights). Modify the Port & Harbor lighting system to increase energy efficiency.

• Reduce energy consumption associated with ice-making equip-ment at the Fish Dock by incorporating a smaller, more energy efficient ice-making machine and/or by contracting with a private ice provider for meeting needs during periods of less demand.

Transportation• Develop program to retire older less efficient vehicles and replace

with more fuel-efficient vehicles (e.g., gas-electric hybrids).• Establish a public transportation system that includes park-and-

ride lots, beginning with downtown-to-Spit shuttle service dur-ing high traffic months.

Purchasing and Waste Reduction• Establish a comprehensive user-friendly recycling program

involving all City departments and facilities.continued on next page

City of Homer Adopts Climate Action Plan Continued from page 1

COngraTulaTIOns!AMCC thanks Homer’s Global Warming Task Force mem-

bers and City Staff Anne Marie Holen for their hard work and commitment throughout the year. The 12 member task force represented a broad cross-section of the community, including business, science, youth and tourism.

Global Warming Task Force:Alan Parks, ChairMichael Neece, Vice-ChairDale BanksDaniel BooneJohn LemonsDaniel LushSue Mauger

Thorey MunroDoug StarkNeil WagnerPete Wedin“Virtual member” Bill SmithCITY STAFF: Anne Marie Holen

“Task force members have taken their task very seriously and now we hope you will continue to show leadership in what is widely regarded as one of the most important environmental, economic, and security challenges confronting humanity today. Judging from the response we have received in recent weeks as we have talked to hundreds of Homer area residents, we believe we speak for the majority of community members when we urge your approval of this plan and support for implementation.”

– Alan Parks, Chair of GWTFExcerpt from cover letter presented with draft CAP to Mayor Hornaday and Homer City Council Members

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• Adopt EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines – a key component of the federal government’s “buy-recycled” program, which offers guidelines covering office paper to construction materials to vehicles.

• Establish a program aimed at greatly increasing the percentage of households that routinely recycle materials.

Land Use• Support current (or stronger) language in the draft Homer

Comprehensive Plan Update that calls for denser, more compact development and increased emphasis on developing infrastruc-ture for non-motorized transportation.

• Develop Homer’s “Town Center” in line with the guiding prin-ciples in the Homer Town Center Development Plan and use this as a model for future development as Homer grows.

• Provide assistance to developers and builders in evaluating plans to increase energy efficiency and promote non-motorized transportation.

To view the approved plan, go to: www.ci.homer.ak.us/CLPL.pdf.

hOMer’s aCTIOns In The naTIOnal COnTexTHomer’s Climate Action Plan is a reflection of a movement

starting to sweep our country to lower greenhouse gas emis-sions. At the state level, as reported in the fall issue of Sea Change, Governor Palin created a climate change sub-cabinet to develop recommendations to address the problem. In addition, Governor Palin recently recommended that the 2008 state budget include $250 million for a renewable energy fund. Seven U.S. states, three Canadian provinces and one Mexican state have formed the Western Climate Initiative (either as members or observers) “to develop regional strategies to address climate change” through “identifying, evaluating and implementing collective and coopera-tive ways to reduce greenhouse gases in the region.”

Nationally, many bills that address climate change are moving their way through Congress. On December 19, 2007 President Bush signed an energy bill that will raise fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks from 25 to 35 mpg, establish a grant pro-gram to support construction of geothermal energy projects in areas of high electricity costs like Alaska, and provide major federal funding of research and development for wave and tidal energy. The City of Homer just did its part in joining this national and growing worldwide movement.

frOM fOCus grOuPs TO a ClIMaTe aCTIOn PlanBeginning in 2006, AMCC Homer Outreach Coordinator, Alan

Parks organized community events to bring Homer residents together around the issue of global climate change. Alan held focus group meetings at his house and public presentations by AMCC science advi-sor Dr. Jeff Short (see article page 2). These AMCC-hosted gatherings laid a local founda-tion for the issue and catalyzed the commu-nity conversation, concern and commitment represented in Homer’s Climate Action Plan. By January 2007 the Homer City Council had

voted to create a global warming task force (GWTF) and AMCC’s Alan Parks was elected Chair.

Below is a timeline of key steps in Homer’s formal process to develop a Climate Action Plan (CAP).

September 2006: Homer Mayor Hornaday attended “Mayors Responding to Global Climate Change,” a national mayor’s conference held in Girdwood.

January 2007: the Homer City Council unanimously passes a reso-lution introduced by Mayor Hornaday to create a global warming task force (GWTF) and approves a list of task force members representing a diverse cross-section of the community.

March 2007: Following the recommendation of the GWTF, the Homer City Council approves joining ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives), an organization that assists municipalities in conducting greenhouse gas emission inventories, setting emission reduction goals, and drafting, implementing and monitoring climate action plans.

Spring 2007: AMCC provides funding with help from UAA and the City of Homer to hire an intern to complete a greenhouse gas inven-tory process over the summer.

August 2007: The task force reconvenes to produce a draft CAP based on the results of the completed inventory and members’ own research and recommendations for lowering emissions.

September 15, 2007: The task force releases a draft CAP to the public at the Homer Sustainability Forum. Task force members give in-depth reports on the sources of Homer’s emissions and receive comments and ideas from the public on how Homer can lower its emissions and adapt to those climate change impacts that cannot be avoided.

September-November 2007: The task force engages in outreach to boards, commissions and civic groups on the draft plan and incorpo-rates comments into a final draft of the Homer CAP.

November 26, 2007: The task force presents the CAP and responds to questions at a special meeting of the Homer City Council. A pub-lic hearing is held during the regular City Council meeting. Twenty people testify in support of the CAP; none express opposition.

December 10, 2007: Thirty-four people testify in support of the CAP. An anonymous business person pledges $40,000 to implement the plan. Mayor Hornaday breaks a tie vote and the Homer City Council approves the plan which recommends the City of Homer reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 12% by 2012 and 20% by 2020 based on 2000 emission levels. 7GWTF chair Alan Parks listens to ideas presented at a public meeting

sponsored by the task force on September 15, 2007.

Morgan Edminster, a member of Homer Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (HAYEA) testifies in support of the Homer Climate Action Plan.

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TravelogueOctober – Kodiak Ocean Acidification and Climate Change Events

AMCC launched its Kodiak grassroots effort in support of climate change action in October with two events. The first was a presentation by fisheries journalist Brad Warren on ocean acidification and how carbon dioxide is threatening the future of the world’s major fisheries. The following evening, AMCC staff facilitated a community discus-sion on solutions, resulting in the formation of Sustainable Kodiak (see box).

susTaInaBle KODIaK Will Dumm is a sixth-grader at North Star Elementary and is the son of longstanding AMCC members Don Dumm and Susan Payne. Will has attended a few Sustainable Kodiak meetings out of his own interest for the topic, and wrote the following piece about the group for his school newspaper.

“Sustainable Kodiak” is a group that is open to the public and is “working to identify, practice, and promote sustainable methods and technologies to benefit our island community and surrounding ocean.” The first meeting held was mostly about what other communities have done and what people would like to see happen here in Kodiak. The next two meetings held were dedicated to compiling an inventory of what people have already done in Kodiak. Finally, the fourth meeting held was dedicated to deciding on small groups that would work individually on different ideas for the community.

If you are interested in being part of this group meetings are held every other week alternating Mondays and Thursdays. Monday meetings will be held at Kodiak College while Thursday meetings will be held at Fisherman’s Hall. “Sustainable Kodiak” has an informative blog at http://sustainablekodiak.blogspot.com

October – anchorage Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival

AMCC was proud to bring the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival on tour to the Bear Tooth Theatre in Anchorage. To every-one’s surprise, the event sold out hours before the doors even opened. Featuring films exploring the natural world and our role in its delicate balance, the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival celebrates people who are making a difference on behalf of the environment. A raffle drawing at intermission featured phenomenal prizes – from original artwork to marine gear – donated by local artists and busi-nesses. A warm welcome to our 57 new members who joined during the event and a big thank you to all who purchased raffle tickets and helped to raise more than $2,000 in support of AMCC.

november – seattlePacific Marine Expo

What better place to talk to fishermen about threats to the ocean than at the largest fisheries trade show in the Pacific Northwest? In addition to hosting a booth at Pacific Marine Expo, AMCC organized a reception for Bristol Bay and Bering Sea fishermen and participated in a panel on ocean acidification.

Bristol Bay and Bering Sea Fishermen’s receptionIn addition, AMCC organized a hugely successful fishermen’s

reception with the theme “Celebrating and Protecting Bristol Bay and Bering Sea Fisheries.” The reception was an effort to reach out to Pacific Northwest fishermen who fish Bristol Bay and Bering Sea waters, as their voice will be extremely important in restoring protection for Bristol Bay from offshore oil and gas drilling now scheduled for 2011.

The event was co-sponsored by Nunamta Aulukestai (an association of eight village corporations from the Bristol Bay region), the Alaska Independent Fishermen’s Marketing Association, the World Wildlife Fund, as well as the groups spearheading the campaign against the Pebble Mine – Trout Unlimited and the Renewable Resources Coalition.

“I was blown away by how many fishermen and processors not only showed up but listened, asked

questions, and showed genuine concern for the serious issues facing Bristol Bay. In fact, I would say in all my years of commercial fishing, it was

the most fishermen all in one place and all in agreement on something I’ve ever seen!”

– Lindsey Bloom, Bristol Bay gillnetter and consultant to Trout Unlimited

Working Together to Protect Bristol Bay (from left to right): Kelly Harrell (AMCC Bristol Bay Campaign Coordinator), Terry Hoefferle (AMCC board member and executive director of Nunamta Aulukestai), Norman Van Vactor (long-time Bristol Bay fish processor) and Bob Waldrop (execu-tive director of the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association).

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Packed with nearly two hundred fishermen, the reception marked the first occasion that organizations working to prevent offshore drill-ing amid vital marine habitat and to combat plans for Pebble Mine (a massive open-pit gold and copper mine planned for the headwaters of Bristol Bay) publicly joined together as a united coalition to sup-port fishermen who have a direct stake in the future health of Bristol Bay. Follow-up will be key to keeping fishermen – who have so much to lose and nothing to gain from destructive development – actively involved in protecting the region’s outstanding fishery resources from these two bookend threats to their livelihoods.

Ocean Acidification panel discussionAMCC’s Climate Change Project Director, Martha Levensaler,

was a participant in Protecting the Sea that Feeds Us: The Fishing Industry Takes on Ocean Acidification, a panel discussing CO2 emis-sions and how they are poisoning and heating up the oceans, and undermining fish stocks and ocean food webs. The audience of fishermen engaged in a lively question and answer period want-ing to know more about the science of ocean acidification and also how we can combat this problem through community action and federal legislation. Organized by Brad Warren (former editor for Pacific Fishing), other panelists included Richard Feely, NOAA ocean chemist (and AMCC science advisor), Doug DeMaster, Director of NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Bob Pawlowski, Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, and Adam Bartz, staff member to U.S. Representative Jay Inslee.

november – Kodiak Ocean BoogieThe Kodiak Waterfront was in full swing on November 30th with AMCC’s “Ocean Boogie,” a benefit concert for marine conservation. More than 100 people filled Tony’s Bar to dance to local band October Humpies, bid on an array of donated silent auction items and savor delicious seafood appetizers prepared by Joel and Marine Chenet of Mill Bay Coffee. Kodiak fishing women decorated Tony’s with nauti-cal treasures from their homes and gardens. Throughout the evening a slide show of photographs portraying the unique fishing lifestyle of the

island community reminded all those boogying next to the docks why they were there. Not only was the evening incredibly fun, it was a tre-mendous fundraising success, raising more than $5,000 in support of AMCC’s programs. Welcome aboard to the 55 new AMCC members who joined. We all look forward to the second annual Kodiak Ocean Boogie next year

December – hainesClimate Change Outreach Events

Haines was the latest community visited by the roving AMCC climate outreach staff who traveled by ferry from Juneau to ensure arrival. AMCC science advisor, Jeff Short, Ph.D. and Climate Change Project Director, Martha Levensaler presented the scientific facts on global warming and also suggestions for what a community can do to curb its carbon emissions at events at the Sheldon Museum. While in Haines they also met with students, the Haines Borough Peak Oil task force and scientists with Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Already engaged in grappling with the challenge of how their community will transition from oil as the main energy resource to renewable energies, Haines residents were very responsive to the tools AMCC brought to their attention for doing so. We look forward to supporting progress in Haines. 7

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Many Thanks:

Many thanks to all of the people who donated to the silent auction: Thank you to Walter and Linda Sargent, Martha Branson, Alan and Mindy Parks of Ridgetop Inn, Rhonda and Jack Maker of The Treasury and The Treasury Home, Theresa Peterson, Eva Holm, Claudia Anderson, Stacy Studebaker, George and Patty Gatter, Lisa McCormick, Kip and Leigh Thomet, Harry Dodge and 58 Degrees North. Many thanks also to those who donated door prizes: Island Seafoods, Whale Fest Kodiak and Kodiak Island Convention and Visitors Bureau and to the “nautical decorators”: Eva Holm, Claudia Anderson, Wendy Beck, Deb Nielsen, Leigh Thomet, Debra Olsen. Finally, AMCC wishes to thank all who attended and helped to make this a fabulous event.

Last fall marked a flurry of AMCC community events and out-reach activities. The overwhelming success of these events is a reflec-tion of the pervasive spirit of cooperation and giving that infuses Alaska’s communities. Countless local business owners, artists and AMCC members donated items and services for our fundraisers. Members and friends contributed their time coordinating and promoting AMCC events. Throughout the year, people open their homes to AMCC staff and board members to save the organization the expense of hotels. We cannot thank you enough for your gener-osity and sincerely apologize if we have left anyone out.

Everyone who contributed to the success of the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival on tour in Anchorage. Thanks to the Bear Tooth Theatre, KNBA 90.3 FM, and The Copper River Watershed Project for your promotional support. Thanks to Jim Stratton for emceeing the event and to Ellen Maling for selling raffle tickets. Thanks to Sheri Tingey of Alpacka Raft, Pete and Debra Wedin of Captain Pete’s Alaska, Peter Brondz, Ray Troll, Katie Sevigny, Alaska Sea Grant, REI and Alaska Conservation Foundation for donating quality prizes for the raffle drawing. We can’t wait to host the festival again next year!

Native American Rights Fund for enabling elders to travel from western Alaska to testify in Anchorage at the Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission meeting.

Mary Shields for hosting AMCC staff during the Alaska Climate Change Sub-Cabinet meeting in Fairbanks; Stacy Studebaker and Mike Sirofchuck for hosting AMCC staff in Kodiak; and Tim June and Sue Nelson and John and Julie Norton for their hospitality in Haines.

Everyone who assisted AMCC staff in Mekoryuk: Jospeh David and his wife, Hultman Kiokun, Solomon Williams, Mona David, Adam Whitman and Samuel Whitman and the Board of Directors at the Mekoryuk IRA Council, Principal Joshua Gill, and Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Hanna.

Everyone who assisted AMCC staff in Chevak: RB Slats, Roy Atchak, Jospehine Tuluk, Gregory Slats, Cynthia Paniyac, and Inez Pingayak at the Chevak Traditional Council.

Terry Hoefferle and Mike Davis for volunteering at AMCC’s booth at Pacific Marine Expo.

Nicklas Nall for designing original artwork for our Pacific Marine Expo display depicting AMCC’s opposition to offshore oil and gas drilling in Bristol Bay.

Everyone who made the first annual Kodiak Ocean Boogie a suc-cess. Thank you to the band “October Humpies” with Bear Becker, Scott Bonney, Greg Egle, Jim Houck and Paul Pena for energizing the boogie with fine local tunes; to Joel and Martine Chenet of Mill Bay Coffee for the delicious bounty of seafood appetizers, to George and Patty Gatter from Tony’s, “the fishermen’s bar;” to Dave Kubiak, for capturing the essence of our island community with his Kodiak Island fishermen’s slide show and to everyone who contributed images for the slide show.

Donna Elizabeth and John Alan Jones for their help in facilitat-ing the Sustainable Kodiak meetings. 7

february 4 Kodiak“Peak Oil and What You Should

Know About Alaska”Sustainable Kodiak Meeting with

guest Rich Seifert 7:15 pm, Room 106, BBB,

Kodiak College

february 4 -12 seattleNorth Pacific Fishery

Management Council Meeting

february 11-15 anchorage2008 Alaska Forum on the Environment

february 13 homer“Ocean Acidification: The Other CO2 Problem,” Dr. Richard Feely

6:30-8:00 pm, Pratt Museum

february 14 Kodiak“Ocean Acidification: The Other CO2 Problem,” Dr. Richard Feely

5:30-7:00 pm, Kodiak Refuge Visitor Center

february 21 Kodiak

Sustainable Kodiak Meeting7:00-9:00 pm, Kodiak Refuge

Visitor Center

february 29 Kodiak Wild & Scenic Environmental

Film Festival 7:00-9:30 pm, Kodiak College

March 20-22 Kodiak ComFish

March 31 - april 8 anchorageNorth Pacific Fishery

Management Council Meeting

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Merchandise For SaleConsider giving a gift to your family or friends that is also a gift towards marine conservation. All proceeds benefit AMCC’s work to protect habitat, prevent overfishing, and reduce bycatch.

aMCC CookbookShare the bounty of Alaska’s rich marine

resources with your friends and neighbors with Alaska Marine Conservation Council’s Marine Cuisine cookbook. This publication features over 65 recipes from Alaska’s fishing families. The book also features profiles on Alaska’s fishing communities, AMCC members, and marine species. $12.95 plus shipping. Add $2.00 for shipping for first copy and $1.00 for each

additional copy. Special bulk rate of $6.50 each plus shipping for orders of 10 or more.

Tote BagThese all purpose carry-alls are always in

demand. Artist Terry Josey’s illustration of the intricate web of sealife makes a great coloring project for kids, too. Value priced and well-made of durable cotton canvas and teal colored handle. $7.50 plus $1.50 shipping.

living Marine habitats of alaskaFrom coastal waters to mysterious

offshore environments, Living Marine Habitats of Alaska provides a glimpse into the wide diversity of the North Pacific and Bering Sea habitats and ecosystems.

With color photographs and informative text, this 16 page book explores some of the important habitats that make up the

North Pacific and Bering Sea ecosystems. Published by Alaska Marine Conservation Council and Alaska Sea Grant.

First copy FREE; additional copies $5.00 each. Price includes shipping.

Ocean HomeExplore the values, traditions, thoughts and

actions of Alaskans whose lives are sustained by the sea in this documentary publication. Ocean Home features black and white photographs by Homer fine arts photographer Alan J. Parks, and an essay by poet Wendy Erd. $10 each copy, includes shipping.

Ocean Home

A Project ofAlaska Marine Conservation CouncilPhotos by Alan J. ParksEssay by Wendy Erd

Board Newswelcome

Leigh Gorman ThometLeigh brings her many years of experi-

ence as a salmon fisher in Kodiak as well as her enthusiasm and dedication to community involvement to her position on the board. A Kodiak resident for 17 years, Leigh has worked in the salmon fishery for 23 years, owning and fishing a setnet operation with her husband for the past 10 years.

farewellHarvey Goodell

Harvey leaves the AMCC board having served steadfastly for nine years. As a Kodiak fisherman he has been rock solid in standing up for ocean stewardship, clean fishing and social responsibility in how our fisheries are managed. We will miss his quietly delivered wisdom but count on his continued participa-tion as a loyal Kodiak member.

Augie KochutenA longstanding AMCC member, Augie

stepped in as a new board member from Unalaska last year. We are sorry she was unable to serve longer but will count on her to stay with us in other capacities. Augie offered a community perspective from the village of Unalaska as it exists today surrounded by some of the world’s largest seafood companies.

Best wishes in your continuing work as an advocate for children and families. 7

aMCC seeKs yOuTh BOarD MeMBerAlaska Marine Conservation Council is seeking a young

Alaskan (age 16-19) to serve on its board of directors. All board members attend two in-person meetings per year and two telecon-ferences. Travel and accommodations will be provided. For further information or to apply, please write to amcc@akmarine.org or call the AMCC office at (907) 277-5357.

7777777777

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Mail to: Alaska Marine Conservation Council PO Box 101145 Anchorage, Alaska 99510-1145 Phone 907-277-5357(Kelp) • Fax 907-277-5975

Is It Time For You To Renew?

The address label on this newsletter includes your membership expiration date. Please check it and make sure your mem-bership is current. The AMCC Anchorage office sends out renewal reminders, but it saves the organization money and resources if you renew early. Thank you.

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